The Colorado Avalanche, a team consistently on the edge of Stanley Cup contention, operates in a league defined by a razor-thin margin between triumph and disappointment. This reality forces them to make difficult decisions, especially concerning their roster. With a tight salary cap, the Avalanche's management has demonstrated a willingness to part ways with prominent players to maintain a competitive edge. As the season progresses, one player stands out as the most likely trade candidate: Samuel Girard.

Girard's situation is multifaceted. While a skilled defenseman, several factors contribute to his potential availability. The Avalanche's cap situation is a crucial element. Even after trading Charlie Coyle and Miles Wood to the Columbus Blue Jackets, and re-signing Brock Nelson and Joel Kiviranta, the Avalanche have limited cap space, approximately $2 million. This constraint makes it challenging to improve the roster during the season, especially with the need to re-sign Martin Necas, who they acquired in a trade that sent Mikko Rantanen to the Carolina Hurricanes. Necas has the potential to be a high-scoring player alongside Nathan MacKinnon. Furthermore, Cale Makar will be eligible for an extension in 2027, making him a priority to re-sign.

Girard carries a $5 million cap hit through the next two seasons. This figure, while not exorbitant, could provide the Avalanche with the financial flexibility they need. Trading Girard would free up cap space to potentially re-sign Necas, pursue other acquisitions, or accommodate Makar's future extension.

There are conflicting views regarding Girard's importance to the Avalanche. Some reports suggest that the Avalanche have been considering trading Girard for some time, citing his cap hit and role within the team. With the acquisition of Brent Burns, and the emergence of other defensive options, the Avalanche may see Girard as expendable. Though the Avalanche failed to retain Ryan Lindgren, their defensive depth might allow them to consider moving Girard. While Girard plays on both the power play and penalty kill while averaging over 20 minutes per game, his offensive output has declined in recent years.

However, replacing Girard wouldn't be easy. He plays a significant role on the second pairing. Some argue that the Avalanche don't have internal candidates to replace Girard.

Ultimately, whether the Avalanche trade Girard will depend on several factors, including their performance, the development of other players, and the availability of suitable trades. If the Avalanche find themselves in a position where they need to create cap space or upgrade their roster, Girard is a prime candidate to be moved. While trading Girard would present challenges, the potential benefits in terms of cap flexibility and roster improvement may be too significant to ignore.