SAMUEL GIRARD NEWS

Distributes helper in defeat Girard banked an even-strength assist in Friday's 5-2 loss to the Capitals.

Impact Girard registered the primary helper on Parker Kelly's first-period marker. The 26-year-old Girard has been productive lately, as he's delivered a goal and four assists over his last six games. The left-shot blueliner is skating alongside Josh Manson in the top four, and he's second among Colorado's defensemen in points behind only Cale Makar. Girard has compiled 10 points (one goal), 16 shots, 34 blocks, 15 hits and a plus-2 rating through 18 games.

6 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Scores game-winning OT goal Girard scored the game-winning goal in Monday's 3-2 overtime win over the Predators.

Impact Girard couldn't have chosen a better time to score his first goal of the season, as he took advantage of a breakaway to drill home the game-winning goal midway through OT. Girard has been productive of late, notching four points in his last four appearances, and he seems in a good pace to potentially recorded a new career-high mark in points this season.

NOVEMBER 12 • ROTOWIRE

Energizer OT Winner: Samuel Girard | NHL.com Samuel Girard scores his second career game-winning goal

NOVEMBER 12 • NHL.COM

Samuel Girard scores in overtime to help Avalanche fend off Predators DENVER - Samuel Girard scored on a breakaway in overtime Monday night to help the Colorado Avalanche...

NOVEMBER 12 • KANSASCITY.COM

Samuel Girard's OT goal pushes Avalanche past Predators Samuel Girard scored at 2:47 of overtime, and the Colorado Avalanche beat the Nashville Predators 3-2 in Denver on Monday night.Nashville de...

NOVEMBER 12 • CHARLOTTEOBSERVER.COM

Samuel Girard steals the puck in overtime and scores on a breakaway as Avalanche beat Predators 3-2

Samuel Girard stole the puck and scored his first goal of the season on a breakaway 2:47 into overtime as the Colorado Avalanche beat the Nashville Predators 3-2

NOVEMBER 12 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Bags apple in win Girard notched an assist in Saturday's 6-4 win over the Hurricanes.

Impact Girard was credited with the secondary helper on Sam Malinski's tally in the second period. The helper was Girard's second in the last three games, a span in which he's added six shots on net, six blocked shots and a plus-1 rating. The 26-year-old is up to seven assists, 13 shots, 26 blocks, 12 hits and an even plus-minus rating through 15 contests overall.

NOVEMBER 10 • ROTOWIRE

Produces assist Girard logged an assist, two shots on goal, two PIM and a plus-3 rating in Tuesday's 6-3 win over the Kraken.

Impact Girard helped out on Chris Wagner's first-period tally to open the scoring. The 26-year-old Girard hasn't found much consistency on offense this season -- he's gotten on the scoresheet in just four of 13 games, totaling six assists. He's added nine shots on net, 12 hits, 21 blocked shots and a plus-2 rating. The blueliner continues to fill a top-four role, but he's a low-end option for fantasy managers.

NOVEMBER 6 • ROTOWIRE

Adds two assists Girard notched two assists and went plus-2 in Sunday's 5-4 win over the Senators.

Impact Girard has three helpers over his last four contests. The 26-year-old defenseman is as steady as ever in a second-pairing role with a little power-play time, but he's not finding much consistency. He has five assists, three shots on goal, seven hits, 15 blocked shots and an even plus-minus rating over nine games this season.

OCTOBER 28 • ROTOWIRE

Manages helper in win Girard posted an assist, two blocked shots and a plus-2 rating in Sunday's 4-1 win over the Sharks.

Impact Girard was the latest defenseman to get a look alongside Cale Makar on the top pairing, and it was on Makar's empty-netter that Girard earned his third point of the season. All three of them have been assists, as Girard has struggled to get involved in the offense. He's added just two shots on net with five hits, 11 blocked shots and a minus-1 rating across six appearances. He's worth a look in deeper formats as long as Devon Toews (lower body) is out.

OCTOBER 21 • ROTOWIRE

Earns 200th career point Girard logged two assists in Wednesday's 8-4 loss to the Golden Knights.

Impact Girard's first helper was the 200th point of his career, a milestone he reached in his 476th game. The 26-year-old blueliner is locked into a top-four role for the Avalanche, though he'll also be limited to the second power-play unit. He's topped the 30-point mark four times in his career, but he was held to 18 points in 59 regular-season outings in 2023-24 after a stint in the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program. Girard has reached the 70-game mark in just four of his first seven seasons, so fantasy managers should expect him to sit out with injuries on occasion.

OCTOBER 10 • ROTOWIRE

Pockets assist in win Girard logged an assist in Wednesday's 5-3 win over the Stars in Game 5.

Impact Girard helped out on Casey Mittelstadt's go-ahead goal early in the third period. The helper was Girard's third in eight playoff contests, and he hasn't scored a goal this postseason. The defenseman has added a modest eight shots on net, 20 blocked shots, 10 hits and a plus-4 rating while skating in a second-pairing role since he recovered from a concussion that cost him four contests in mid-April.

MAY 16 • ROTOWIRE

Participation in the NHL's player assistance program is up this season. That may not be a bad thing

Five NHL players left their teams this season to receive care from an off-ice assistance program run by the league and union

MAY 15 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

The value of Valeri Nichushkin on display for Avs since his return from player assistance program

Valeri Nichushkin is lifting the Colorado Avalanche after taking the time to help himself

MAY 3 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Nabs helper in postseason debut Girard recorded an assist, two hits and a plus-3 rating in Friday's 6-2 win over the Jets in Game 3.

Impact Girard missed four games with a concussion, but he returned with 21:05 of ice time in Friday's contest. He also snapped the 10-game point drought that led into his absence, assisting on a Ross Colton tally in the third period. Caleb Jones was scratched to make way for Girard, who should hold down a top-four role.

APRIL 27 • ROTOWIRE

Good to go Friday Girard (concussion) is in the lineup for Game 3 against Winnipeg on Friday, Evan Rawal of Colorado Hockey Now reports.

Impact Girard will return after missing the last four games. The 25-year-old was held without a point over his final 10 appearances in the regular season. He tallied three goals and 18 points in 59 games this season.

APRIL 27 • ROTOWIRE

Might be available for Friday Coach Jared Bednar is leaving the possibility open of Girard (concussion) returning for Game 3 versus the Jets on Friday, per Adrian Hernandez of Mile High Hockey on Wednesday.

Impact Girard has missed the Avalanche's last four contests due to the concussion. He had three goals, 18 points, 73 shots, 76 hits and 99 blocks in 59 regular-season outings. If Girard returns against Winnipeg, then Caleb Jones might be a healthy scratch.

APRIL 24 • ROTOWIRE

Not playing Tuesday Girard (concussion) won't play in Game 2 versus the Jets on Tuesday, Eric Engels of Sportsnet reports.

Impact Girard has been deemed close to a return to begin the playoffs, but he'll miss his fourth straight contest Tuesday. His next chance to play is Game 3 in Colorado on Friday. Once cleared to play, Girard will likely occupy a bottom-four role.

APRIL 24 • ROTOWIRE

Defensemen injuries are already piling up early in the NHL playoffs

Defenses around the NHL playoffs have been depleted by existing and new injuries, from Tampa Bay’s Mikhail Sergachev and Colorado’s Samuel Girard being out long term to Carolina’s...

APRIL 23 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

To be reevaluated Tuesday Girard (concussion) skated in the lead-up to Tuesday's Game 2 matchup with Winnipeg, John Lu of TSN reports.

Impact Coach Jared Bednar didn't rule Girard out for Game 2, which would be his first action since April 13 versus the Jets. Considering the blueliner is pointless in his last 10 outings, few fantasy players will be anxiously awaiting his return to the lineup. Still, if Girard is healthy he should rejoin the lineup, likely in place of Jack Johnson or Caleb Jones.

APRIL 22 • ROTOWIRE

Out Sunday Girard (concussion) will not play in Game 1 against Winnipeg on Sunday, Kyle Fredrickson of The Denver Gazette reports.

Impact Girard was considered a game-time call but ultimately wasn't healthy enough to get back in the lineup. He's now missed three straight games but could return in time for Game 2 on Tuesday. Girard finished the regular season with three goals and 18 points in 59 contests.

APRIL 21 • ROTOWIRE

Could play Sunday Girard (concussion) will be a game-time for Game 1 against Winnipeg, Evan Rawal of Colorado Hockey Now reports.

Impact Girard missed Colorado's final two regular-season games after suffering a concussion in a loss to the Jets on April 13. The 25-year-old's return would certainly help bolster the Avs blueline -- Girard had three goals, 18 points, 76 hits and 99 blocked shots across 59 games this year.

APRIL 21 • ROTOWIRE

In concussion protocol Girard, who exited Saturday's game against Winnipeg, is in the concussion protocol, Ryan Boulding of NHL.com reports.

Impact Girard isn't likely to appear in the Avalanche's final two regular-season contests due to the concussion. If that ends up being the case, then Girard will conclude the campaign with three goals, 18 points and 76 hits in 59 outings. His status for the playoffs remains to be determined, but in the meantime, Caleb Jones will likely draw into the lineup Sunday versus Vegas.

APRIL 13 • ROTOWIRE

Sustains upper-body injury Girard suffered an upper-body injury and consequently won't return to Saturday's game against Winnipeg.

Impact Girard entered the contest with three goals, 18 points, 76 hits and 99 blocks in 58 appearances this campaign. If he's not available Sunday versus Vegas, then Caleb Jones will likely draw into the lineup.

APRIL 13 • ROTOWIRE

Set to play Thursday Girard (illness) is expected to play Thursday versus the Rangers, Ryan Boulding of NHL.com reports.

Impact Girard was considered questionable as of Wednesday, but he's apparently healthy enough to go. He has three helpers over 11 contests in March while playing in a top-four role.

MARCH 29 • ROTOWIRE