NHL News: Longtime teammate and Stanley Cup champion with Nathan MacKinnon continues to have future with Avalanche in jeopardy

Nathan MacKinnon‘s first and so far only Stanley Cup win with the Colorado Avalanche occurred not long ago. But with the Florida Panthers dominating the NHL scene in the last two seasons, the 2022 title pretty much feels like ancient history for the Avs.

With MacKinnon still in his prime, the Avalanche front office can’t think about anything else than finding ways to put their star in a position to succeed again. Unfortunately, that may involve parting with important contributors to their last Stanley Cup triumph.

Sometimes, that’s just how the NHL works. Defenseman Sam Girard may have helped MacKinnon and company taste the ultimate glory a few years ago, but it appears that his days in Colorado might be numbered.

Avalanche reportedly plan to trade Sam Girard

According to Avalanche insider Aarif Deen of Colorado Hockey Now, the team’s front office is still thinking about trading Girard ahead of the 2025-26 NHL season, with the franchise hoping to get back to glory days.

Samuel Girard #49 of the Colorado Avalanche carries the Stanley Cup following the series winning victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game Six of the 2022 NHL Stanley Cup Final at Amalie Arena on June 26, 2022 in Tampa, Florida.

“I still stand by the thought that the team had and continues to have plans to trade [Sam] Girard,” said Deen, as quoted by NHL Rumour Report on X (formerly known as Twitter).

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The clock might be ticking for Girard in Colorado

Girard, 27, is entering the final two years of his contract, which expires in 2027. With an average annual value of $5 million, the Avalanche may be looking to clear cap space while getting something in return.

The defenseman joined MacKinnon and company from the Nashville Predators as part of a three-team trade involving the Ottawa Senators in November 2017 and went on to establish himself on the Avs roster.

But all good things eventually come to an end, and his future in Colorado may be hanging by a thread. Only time will tell whether the Avalanche ultimately pull the plug and move on from him, or if Girard’s story with the Avs still has more chapters to be written.