New report may have just sealed Samuel Girard's fate with the Colorado Avalanche
Trade chatter never fully sleeps in Denver, and Samuel Girard is back in the conversation as the Colorado Avalanche balance blue line depth, salary cap pressure, and a strong start.
Samuel Girard has been a popular name in hypothetical trade columns for years, mostly because he is good, paid fairly, and plays a position where Colorado has options. That alone keeps the noise alive.
Samuel Girard trade talk meets Avalanche reality
The latest spark came this week when
The Hockey News revisited the idea of Girard as a movable piece, framing it around roster flexibility and the Avalanche's continued search for playoff-ready balance.
Girard, 26, carries a five million dollar cap hit through 2026 and remains a smooth-skating puck mover. He has been steady this season, logging regular second-pair minutes and chipping in offensively without driving headlines.
Colorado's defense already features Cale Makar, Devon Toews, Josh Manson, Bowen Byram, and a rotating cast underneath. When a team has that many NHL-caliber defenders, someone is always going to land in trade speculation.
The Avalanche are also winning, which complicates any real discussion. Teams near the top of the standings rarely rush to subtract from their core, especially when chemistry and structure are holding together.
From a fan perspective, this is where the debate usually stalls. Girard's skating helps Colorado exit the zone cleanly, and his retrievals quietly reduce defensive chaos, even if he is not built for trench warfare.
There is also history here. Girard was part of the 2022 Stanley Cup run, playing meaningful minutes before injuries reshaped the playoff lineup. That memory still matters in the room.
The Hockey News article leans on the idea that playoff hockey demands size and edge, a familiar argument whenever Girard's name surfaces. It is fair, but it is also incomplete.
Colorado's system relies on speed, puck support, and quick decisions. Girard fits that identity, even if he does not intimidate anyone along the boards.
Importantly, there is no report of active negotiations or imminent movement. This is analysis, not a leak, and that distinction matters when fans start connecting dots.
For now, Girard remains an Avalanche defenseman, contributing in a defined role on a team with legitimate Central Division ambitions. Until results change or cap math forces action, this feels like noise more than a warning.
In a season about margins, Colorado's front office may value stability over theoretical upgrades, and Girard is still very much part of that equation.
Previously on Colorado Hockey Daily
| POLL |
DECEMBRE 22 | 53 ANSWERS New report may have just sealed Samuel Girard's fate with the Colorado Avalanche Should the Colorado Avalanche seriously explore a Samuel Girard trade this season? |
| Yes | 26 | 49.1 % |
| No | 27 | 50.9 % |
| List of polls |