The Colorado Avalanche have extended defenceman Samuel Girard to a 7-year contract worth $35 million, or $5 million per season. This contract carries him through the 2026-27 season.
SEVEN YEARS FOR SAM GIRARD!#GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/rnp8xXqi4C
— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) July 31, 2019
Samuel Girard Signs Extension With the Colorado Avalanche
Over his 2-year NHL career, Samuel Girard has played for the Nashville Predators and the Avalanche. He has put up 8 goals and 42 assists for 50 career points in 155 career games. He was originally drafted in the 2nd round, 47th overall of the 2016 NHL draft by the Predators.
Last season he scored 4 goals and 23 assists for 27 points. He also added 6 minutes in penalties. His possession numbers were 48.9 percent Corsi and a relative Corsi of -1.5.
“Samuel has been one of our best all-around defensemen since joining the Avalanche,” general manager Joe Sakic said in a team release. “He plays important minutes and is someone our coaches count on to play against other teams’ top lines. He has an exceptional ability to skate and move the puck. As a member of our core, we felt it was important to sign him to a long-term deal and we are excited to announce this extension.”
What This Means for the Future
Samuel Girard is still a young, talented defenseman for the Colorado Avalanche. Locking him up long term is beneficial for the team. The 21-year-old has proven he can be an elite puck mover at such a young age and is primed for a breakout season. Likely set to play with Cale Makar next year for the Avalanche, they have a plethora of youth on the blue line and will be dominant at that position for years to come.
With players like Makar and Bowen Byram in the system, the Avs have the rest of their young defence on their entry-level contracts, allowing them to sign Girard long term. Girard is a core piece of the team now, and for an additional seven years.
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