Insider Reveals Truth Behind Samuel Girard Trade Rumors

Originally posted on NHL Trade Talk | Last updated 11/17/21

There was talk this past week that the Colorado Avalanche were open to moving defenseman Samuel Girard in a trade. Not only would the Avs be dumping $5 million in salary, but making room for Bowen Byram who is taking big steps as a future No. 1 defenseman. Whatever trade rumors you heard, The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun says, “Whatever it is, we can end the Girard talk now.”

According to LeBrun, talk of Girard being on the market was way overblown. He’s not being shopped by the team and the Avalanche are not eager to move him in a trade, even if another club was interested. LeBrun adds, “Listen, as I always say, things can change, a team could call Colorado with an offer they can’t refuse down the road. But all things being equal, we can end the Girard talk. The Avs have no intention of moving him.”

The reason Girard’s name was out there at all was because of speculation the Avs had kicked tires on Jack Eichel before the center was traded to the Vegas Golden Knights. Colorado had very limited talks with the Buffalo Sabres and one of the names that might have come up in the discussion was Girard’s simply because the Sabres would have asked for an impact player as part of the deal. Girard qualifies.

That said, the Avs were never really in the running to land Eichel and it was really always Vegas, with the finer details of the deal simply needing to be worked out. Since that point, Girard has not been available, he’s not been shopped and the Avs certainly aren’t looking to move on from him.

This is just one of those situations where a player’s name got thrown into the mix as part of a bigger deal and a reporter or two took that to mean the Avalanche were willing to move on because a younger defenseman was in the system, somehow deeming the older one expendable.

The Avalanche want to compete for the Stanley Cup this season. The only way they move Girard during that quest to do so is by getting back a piece they believe improves their chances more than having Girard on the roster would.

This article first appeared on NHL Trade Talk and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: