Latest news sparks major health concerns for Avalanche star defender
Photo credit: Isaiah J. Downing / Imagn Images
Recent reports have raised significant concerns about the health of Colorado Avalanche star defenseman Samuel Girard, leaving fans and analysts alike worried about his availability and impact heading into the new season.
Although the 2025-26 season hasn't even started, injuries are already emerging as a major concern for the team.
Samuel Girard hit hard with massive injury update ahead of upcoming season.
Ryan O'Hara of Mile High Sticking notes that nothing is official until player absences are confirmed on the first day of on-ice training camp on September 8, but with less than a week remaining, several potentially significant developments are already emerging.
The bigger concern, however, lies with the team's blue line.
Brennan Vogt of Hockey Mountain High also revealed the reason behind Girard's prolonged absence from the team's optional skates.
"The defenseman had been active in early August, skating alongside Brent Burns, Brock Nelson, Middleton, and Kaeden Edstrom of the College of St. Scholastica, showing no visible issues at the time but had been absent for around a month since those early skates.
Yet on Friday morning, he reappeared in a red non-contact sweater with other injured players such as Taylor Makar and Logan O'Connor. Vogt noted that Girard moved with unusual caution, a detail that points toward a likely lower-body injury and adds another layer of concern to Colorado's already fragile preseason outlook." -O' Hara
Yet on Friday morning, he reappeared in a red non-contact sweater with other injured players such as Taylor Makar and Logan O'Connor. Vogt noted that Girard moved with unusual caution, a detail that points toward a likely lower-body injury and adds another layer of concern to Colorado's already fragile preseason outlook." -O' Hara
Vogt has also reported that Avalanche star goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood has also been dealing with a lingering injury.
"Blackwood was indeed participating in drills during the injured players' skate with goaltending coach Jussi Parrkila, without seeing any shots, but any serious movement revealed a painful truth. Pushing off his right leg was a struggle, suggesting a lower-body injury." -O'Hara
The good news is that both Girard and Blackwood were on the ice, so if they are managing injuries, their return is not expected to be significantly delayed.
"But the red flag of caution should be more on the state of Colorado's depth and the ability to absorb any type of absence that lingers into or pops up before the regular season." -O'Hara
Some Avalanche fans might hope for Erik Johnson's return, but with a surplus of right-handed defenseman and Girard being a left shot, the roster reality says otherwise.
| POLL | ||
SEPTEMBRE 13 | 20 ANSWERS Latest news sparks major health concerns for Avalanche star defender Do you think Samuel Girard will play in the 2025-26 season opener? | ||
| yes | 17 | 85 % |
| no | 3 | 15 % |
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