Avalanche defenseman to enter into NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program

The NHL and the NHLPA have announced that Colorado Avalanche defenseman Samuel Girard has entered the Player Assistance Program.

Girard will be unavailable indefinitely but will still be paid, as per the rules of the joint program.

The 25-year-old has been out of action since registering an assist with the Avalanche back on Nov. 18. Girard has four points in 15 games this season.

“I have made a proactive decision to take care of my mental health, and will be entering treatment for severe anxiety and depression that has gone untreated for too long and led to alcohol abuse,” Girard said in a statement from CAA Hockey.

“Taking care of your mental health is of the utmost importance, and I encourage everyone to speak up and seek help should you feel like you need it. I want to express my gratitude to my wife, family, friends, the club, my teammates, and the fans for their patience, understanding, and continued support.”

The offensive defenseman was originally drafted 47th overall by the Nashville Predators back in 2016. He skated in five games with the Preds before moving to the Avalanche in a three-team deal that sent Matt Duchene to the Ottawa Senators in 2017.

Girard has been a fixture with the Avalanche ever since. He registered a solid 34 points in 70 games in 2019-20 before nearly matching that in just 48 games in 2020-21 – the season shortened due to COVID-19. Girard helped Colorado from a depth perspective during the 2022 playoffs, helping the team win the Stanley Cup. His production hit a career-best in 2022-23, scoring six goals and 37 points.

CapFriendly says his $5 million cap hit will continue to count against the team’s salary cap unless he’s placed on long-term injured reserve. That can happen if the team believes he will miss 10 games and 24 days. The team has $4.175 million in current cap space.