Samuel Girard had barely had time to unpack his boxes in Nashville when he was traded at the Avalanche in the fall of 2017. That does not mean that he is used to rumors and that he is ready, however. to pack up again.
The name of the Quebec defender circulated in exchange rumors this fall. In fact, the soap opera Jack Eichel had the effect of fueling the rumor machine and Girard fell victim to it.
“Want, don’t want, I’m on social networks, I saw it a bit,” admitted Girard, met Thursday afternoon, a few hours before the Avalanche-Canadian duel at the Bell Center. But it’s not my job, it’s not me who does the transactions. I am in Colorado and I want to stay there. My job is to play well. ”
In parallel to these rumors, Girard knew, like his team, a so-so departure. After seven games, the Jeannois had only two points and showed a differential of -6. For its part, the Avalanche showed a 4-5-1 record after 10 games, a record well below what was expected of this team seen by many as a Stanley Cup contender.
That said, one could understand the Sabers for having inquired about Girard’s availability, if that is the case. Here’s a 23-year-old defender, who played 23 minutes per game last year – 21 this season – and who will count for $ 5 million under the salary cap until 2027.
Joe Sakic, the general manager, therefore wanted to reassure his defender in order to calm things down. “I had meetings with Joe,” said Girard. He said to me: “what is happening on the internet, it may be true, may not be true, you don’t know that.” It was clear to me that he was not having a discussion, that my name was never in Eichel’s exchange. It’s not my job to think about these things, my job is to play well. I’m fine in Colorado and want to stay here. ”
Eichel was finally traded on November 4. A week later, the Avalanche were off to a six-game winning streak, going 7-2-0 in their last nine outings. Girard has amassed seven points in that streak and is showing a +6 performance.
Byram still hurt
PHOTO RON CHENOY, USA TODAY SPORTS ARCHIVES
Bowen Byram
However, Girard will have to change partners on Thursday. On Wednesday, he formed a tandem with young Bowen Byram, but the latter will miss the duel against the Canadian due to an upper body injury which is “not a concussion”, assured Jared Bednar, the coach. -Chief of the Avalanche. Bednar, however, clarified that the injury was “related” to the concussion, without giving further details.
Accuracy mattered, as Byram has just returned to the game after suffering a third concussion diagnosed since last March.
In the absence of the 4e choice in the 2019 draft, Girard should therefore form a duet with Jack Johnson against CH.
In net, Bednar will return with Jonas Johansson. You were told the Avalanche had recovered, but the team still suffered a caning 8-3 Wednesday in Toronto. Johansson allowed 8 goals on 41 shots and was not taken out of the game.
He was in net because the team’s number 1 goaltender, Darcy Kuemper, suffered an upper body injury. His absence is added to that of Pavel Francouz, also injured, so that the Avalanche relies on its goalkeepers 3 and 4 in the organization. Johansson will therefore be supported on Thursday by Justus Annunen, a 21-year-old Finn who has never played in the NHL before.