Latest report confirms Avalanche still have plans to trade Girard ahead of next season
Photo credit: AAron Ontiveroz / The Denver Post
A new report suggests that the Colorado Avalanche still intend on trading star defenseman Samuel Girard ahead of next NHL season as they explore significant roster changes.
Although Girard has found himself in trade chatter before, there's a sense that this situation carries a different weight altogether.
Avalanche still intend on trading Samuel Girard.
Rob Couch from NHL Trade Rumors writes that Colorado's top end is pricey, as it should be, but that's left their depth looking thin, which is exactly why Girard's name has been in the rumor mill for over a year.
His cap hit and place on the depth chart make him a logical trade candidate, especially when Colorado briefly had Ryan Lindgren in the mix to give them three left-shot, top-four defenseman.
"Girard is still around and going into the sixth of his seven-year deal at $5 million AAV. He plays both power play and penalty kill while playing over 20 minutes per game, but his offense has been lower the past couple of years than it normally was. It isn't a major drop, but Girard used to score a few more goals and finish with over 30 points in a season." -Couch
The Avalanche don't have an in-house replacement for Girard, but they could look to either bring in a cheaper defenseman who can give them similar results, or swing bigger and try to reunite with someone like Bowen Byram for a second stint.
"Aarif Deen said that 'I still stand by the thought that the team had and continues to have plans to trade Girard.' His 9-team no-trade list may get in the way a bit if the Avalanche were to have some more serious talks about trading him." -Couch
There will definitely be interest if Girard hits the market, but Colorado won't move him just to shed salary.
With a bit of cap room and a clear spot next to Josh Manson on the second pairing, he's expected to open the year in Denver, though this situation that could heat up closer to the trade deadline or next offseason, when he'll be heading into the final year of his deal.
Previously on Avalanche Insider
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AOUT 3 | 31 ANSWERS Latest report confirms Avalanche still have plans to trade Girard ahead of next season Do you think Avalanche star defenseman gets dealt before the start of next NHL season? | ||
| yes | 15 | 48.4 % |
| no | 16 | 51.6 % |
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