He’s only 5-foot-10 and 170 pounds, but big enough to be in two prestigious conversations.
Samuel Girard is to the Avalanche what the club believes he could be to the 2022 Canadian Olympic team. And before then, a potential Norris Trophy candidate in 2021.
But who is Girard? And how is someone who plays big minutes for a Stanley Cup contender flying under the radar?
“People around the league may say we’re crazy and they’d be asking “Samuel who?” Avs coach Jared Bednar said. “But when you look at what he does and you start to watch him, the more you watch him the more you’re going to like him and the more you’re going to appreciate him.”
To the Avalanche, Girard is a big-minute, all-around elite defenseman worthy of the above discussions.
Girard, 22, has taken on a larger role in Colorado. From the first day of training camp, you can see an elevated level of on-ice productivity and off-ice maturity. Girard has even worn the alternate captain’s ‘A’ on his sweater for the first time in his career.
Girard, a 2016 second-round draft pick of the Nashville Predators whom the Avs acquired in a blockbuster deal involving Matt Duchene in 2017, has been a full-time NHLer for four seasons.
And in Year 4, the Avalanche would like you to put some respect on the name Samuel Girard.
Because Girard’s development this season has earned him the right to be considered for this year’s Norris Trophy and for Team Canada’s Olympic roster in 2022.
” I definitely think he’s one of the more underrated guys in the league and he’s proven that this year,” Avs rookie defenseman Bowen Byram said.
Girard has already reached a career-high in goals (five) while playing 23:27 per game in all situations. He even took on a larger role in both Byram and No. 1 defenseman Cale Makar’s recent injury absences. In the 10 games without Makar, Girard produced a point-per-game (three goals, 10 points) and was fifth in the NHL in ice-time (25:57) — ahead of last season’s Norris Trophy winner Roman Josi (24:07).
“It just shocks me that he’s flying under the radar the way that he is when some of those conversations happen,” Bednar said of Girard. “He is certainly making a case to at least be talked about or thought about for both Team Canada and the Norris.”
Entering 2021, Makar was the Avs blueliner many touted to be in the Norris Trophy conversation. But Girard’s ability to step into a No. 1 defenseman role has earned the respect of his teammates — even that of Makar.
“Being able to watch him play those 10 games, he’s been incredible,” Makar said. “Obviously eating so many minutes. He has been such a key part of the back end and he definitely stepped up into a role where he can be used in every single situation. He’s just so confident with the puck and can elude guys so well.”
Those situations include the penalty kill, where Girard has accumulated more ice time than he had in his first three seasons in Colorado combined. The Avs are second in the NHL on the penalty kill (87.6 percent).
His ability to adjust to killing penalties further defines the level of growth in his game. The type of growth that pulls a defender into a group defined as elite, and worthy of winning the highest individual honor that only a defenseman could win at the conclusion of the season.
“There is no question in my mind that he’s a top elite defenseman in the league and he should be in those conversations,” Makar said.
Team Canada’s roster in 2022 is going to be loaded with elite young talent. Up front, Avs superstar center Nathan MacKinnon will likely play on the top line. And he will be joined by Makar, who is expected to be a top-pair defenseman for the Canadians as they look to win their third consecutive gold medal with NHL participation.
Makar’s place on the right side is all but guaranteed — injuries notwithstanding. For Girard, a lefty, he’ll be in competition with a group of names that includes Vegas’ Shea Theodore, Ottawa’s Thomas Chabot, Toronto’s Morgan Rielly, and Florida’s Aaron Ekblad to obtain his spot within the top-eight Canadian defensemen.
Girard is currently keeping pace with that foursome, ranking third in points (22) and second in points-per-game. He is also second in goals behind Ekblad (10).
Another wildcard that may be in the race for the Canadian blueline is Byram, who also shoots left. But that scenario will likely only come to fruition if Byram can continue to develop at an accelerated rate just as he has for the past 21 months since the Avalanche drafted him.
Luckily for Byram, he has the ability to learn from two of the NHL’s best young defensemen. And considering his size (6-foot-1, 190 lbs), handedness, and puck-moving abilities, there may be no better mentor for him than Girard.
“It was good for me to get to watch him for a few games. He’s unbelievable,” Byram said of Girard. “I just try taking little things away from his game. I definitely think he’s one of the more underrated guys in the league and he’s proven that this year. He’s been playing really well. Definitely a great guy for me to learn from.”
