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Sam Girard trade speculation continues
The Sam Girard trade speculation continues. Could the Vancouver Canucks just wait and see what unfolds after the season starts to address their need at center? Feb 4, 2025; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Colorado Avalanche defenseman Samuel Girard (49) and defenseman Sam Malinski (70) and forward Casey Mittelstadt (37) and Vancouver Canucks forward Drew O'Connor (18) watch the shot from forward Filip Chytil (72) in the second period at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Frid-Imagn Images

The Sam Girard trade speculation continues

Aarif Deen of Colorado Hockey Now: The Colorado Avalanche feel they have their No. 2 center in Brock Nelson. Gabriel Landeskog is training and not rehabbing this offseason. They do have some questions as to who will be their No. 3 center, and are there any depth options that they might be interested in adding?

The Avalanche will likely continue looking at trading defenseman Sam Girard. The Avs brought in Ryan Lindgren at the trade deadline, and he was used on the second pairing. They weren’t able to re-sign him, and countered with adding Brent Burns.

Girard’s role has reduced over the years, and they may not want to pay $5 million to someone who has seen their minutes decreasing. The Avs traded Charlie Coyle this offseason as they didn’t like the idea of paying that money to someone who is a third-line center.

Could the Vancouver Canucks just wait and see what unfolds after the season starts to address their need at center?

Sekeres and Price: Jeff Marek on the Sekeres and Price show talking about the Vancouver Canucks second-line center vacancy and how they could take a wait-and-see approach.

“I know everybody wants everything done right away and wants everything settled before training camp, and we don’t want any competition for spots, and we know what the team is and, etc, etc, etc.

I don’t know about you guys, but I wouldn’t even be surprised if you know the Vancouver Canucks, and talks so much, and you guys have talked so much about the second line center position. I wouldn’t even be surprised if they just leave that cap space open and see how the chips fall after October and November. And see where the team is at, and see where the health is at, and see what emerges in the marketplace.

Like, I don’t, I understand the anxiety if you’re a Vancouver Canucks fan, because you want to get back to the playoffs, you want to get back to having winning team. But I don’t know if I’m (Jim) Rutherford/(Patrik) Allvin here, maybe I’m saying, Listen, if I don’t have a deal that I like, what’s
the hurry here?

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

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