NHL Rumor Mill – August 2, 2025
In today’s NHL Rumor Mill, Samuel Girard’s role on the Avalanche blueline and three bargain UFA goaltending options.
COLORADO HOCKEY NOW: Aarif Deen wondered where the Avalanche intends to play Samuel Girard this season.
Colorado Avalanche defenseman Samuel Girard (NHL Images).
Deen believes the Avalanche could trade Girard at some point. He noted their failed attempt to re-sign Ryan Lindgren before his UFA eligibility on July 1, and their subsequent signing of Brent Burns.
Girard was the only other Avalanche defenseman besides Cale Makar and Devon Toews to average over 20 minutes per game during the regular season. However, that changed in the playoffs, when he was fifth in ice time (17:38).
Deen doesn’t see the Avalanche keeping Girard at $5 million per season playing third-pairing minutes. He believes they see less of a role for the 27-year-old blueliner than in years past, which is why he thinks they’re still trying to trade him.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Girard has occasionally surfaced in the rumor mill over the past two seasons, but the speculation was often shut down quickly.
The Avalanche currently have over $3.3 million in cap space with 22 active roster players under contract, so they’re not in any hurry to make a cost-cutting deal. However, that could change if Girard sees third-pairing minutes this season.
Girard is signed through 2026-27 and has a nine-time no-trade list. He could be a player to monitor in the rumor mill this season, especially if the Avalanche struggles to remain among the top teams in the Western Conference.
THE HOCKEY NEWS: Adam Proteau noted that goaltenders Alexandar Georgiev, Ilya Samsonov, and James Reimer remain unsigned. They’re at different points in their careers, but Proteau suggests they have the potential to become bargain options for teams seeking goalie depth.
Samsonov isn’t far removed from his stellar 2022-23 performance with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Among goalies who played at least 15 games last season, there were 28 goalies with a worse goals saved above expected rating, according to MoneyPuck.
Georgiev could provide some value and support for a younger goalie tandem. Despite his recent struggles, he has demonstrated his ability to bounce back. Meanwhile, the 37-year-old Reimer proved he still had something left in the tank with the Buffalo Sabres last season.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Of the three, Reimer has a proven record as a reliable backup, but his age could hamper his efforts to land a new NHL contract. Samsonov and Georgiev are younger, but their inconsistencies over the past two seasons have hurt their value.
Nevertheless, the lack of quality goalie depth in the free-agent and trade markets could see this trio become affordable short-term options for teams in need of depth between the pipes.
Carter Hart would likely sign a team friendly deal. Younger and better than the three mentioned.
Not until the league clears him to play. And even then, there will be clubs leery of signing him.
Lyle,
Definitely some risk of adverse reaction to signing Hart. I do feel that being deemed ineligible at bit of a stretch. Guilty of poor judgement and choices but show me a 20 year old that isnt in one shape or form.
Craig MacTavish killed a woman driving drunk in Boston yet he resumed his career, got be be a G.M. and on air persona.
Im a firm believer in 2nd chances, after that not so much.
Anyway, just my 2 cents for what its worth.
Enjoy the long weelend, cheers.
“The Athletic reported that in 2024, the Rangers retained a law firm to investigate a former team employee’s allegation that Panarin sexually assaulted her. Panarin and Madison Square Garden Sports, which owns the Rangers, paid settlements to the former employee without an admission of wrongdoing. The terms of the settlement included a nda.”
Man, Avalanche fans, myself included, have been trying to trade Girard for 4-5 yrs now. He is definitely tougher than his size and his speed is invaluable to the Avalanche style; that in my opinion is why he remains, not to mention his friendly contract they have enjoyed. He has been a good player and sticks up for his teammates; however, I would move him for something we lack. I would package him to get something significant back either on defense or offense: a hockey trade perhaps?
Girard for Ferraro
Less of a cap hit for the Avs and the Sharks are getting a better puck mover. But Girard ha a 9-team no-trade list
If you have plans to finish high and run deep you need 7-8 defence -man that can play and move up in stints .
I think you keep Girard.
Also in the goaltender depth category I would put undrafted 6′ 5″ 210lb Georgii Romanov who might be a decent UFA pick-up for a team needing to flesh out their AHL goaltending.
He played in just 8 games last season with the defensively-challenged Sharks, with a 3.80gaa and 0.877 gaa %, and is coming off an ELC of $910,000.
He could be had for a bargain 2-way deal.
And he only turns 26 in December,
Reimer played reasonably well last year in spots. I am surprised he hasn’t landed somewhere.
Georgiev has seen better days; he would best serve his career if he went over to Europe to reset his game. That he has not been signed is no surprise, he was hurt by playing for San Jose.