Samuel Girard - NHL News & Rumors

Off injured reserve Girard (undisclosed) was taken off injured reserve Thursday.

Impact Girard was previously termed a game-time decision, but his activation indicates that he'll draw into the lineup against Utah on Thursday. He has a goal and seven points in nine appearances this campaign, which is a fantastic start for a defenseman who didn't record more than 24 points in any of the previous three regular seasons.

9 HOURS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Game-time call Thursday Girard (undisclosed) is considered a game-time decision for Thursday's home game against the Mammoth, per Seth Rorabaugh of Tribune-Review Sports.

Impact Girard has missed each of the last three games with an undisclosed injury. It appears that he has a chance to play Thursday, but the Penguins would need to activate him from injured reserve prior to the contest if he's to appear in the lineup. Prior to going down with the injury, the 28-year-old blueliner got off to a strong start to the season with a goal, seven points, 12 shots on net, five hits and 10 blocked shots over nine appearances. If he's ultimately given the green light, he'll likely rejoin the team's second defensive pairing, where he should continue to be a relevant fantasy asset in deep leagues this season.

12 HOURS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Moves to IR Girard (undisclosed) was placed on injured reserve Saturday.

Impact Girard has missed the last two games with an injury and will be unavailable for Saturday's matchup against Nashville. It's unclear when he will be ready to return to the lineup. In a corresponding move, Pittsburgh recalled Avery Hayes from AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on Saturday.

5 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Won't play Thursday Girard (undisclosed) will not be an option versus the Panthers on Thursday, Michelle Crechiolo of the Penguins' official site reports.

Impact Girard has started skating, but he hasn't gotten on the ice with his teammates yet. The club brought up Chase Pietila from the minors to provide some defensive depth; however, it's Ilya Solovyov who figures to continue playing on the blue line in Girard's absence.

OCTOBER 22 • ROTOWIRE

Slated to miss Monday's game Girard (undisclosed) is not expected to play Monday in Utah.

Impact Girard skated on the second pairing during Monday's morning skate, which signals that he shouldn't be out of the lineup for too much longer. The left-shot blueliner was unable to finish Saturday's game in Vegas due to his undisclosed injury. Ilya Solovyov is set to make his season debut Monday because of Girard being sidelined.

OCTOBER 20 • ROTOWIRE

Game-time call versus Utah Girard (undisclosed) will be a game-time decision for Monday's matchup with the Mammoth, Josh Getzoff of SportsNet Pittsburgh reports.

Impact Girard skated in his usual defensive pairing with Kaedan Korczak during the game-day skate, which is a strong indicator that Girard will be back in action Monday. If for some reason Girard can't give it a go, Ilya Solovyov figures to step into the lineup in his stead.

OCTOBER 19 • ROTOWIRE

Sustains injury Saturday Girard (undisclosed) won't return to Saturday's game versus the Golden Knights.

Impact Girard was uncomfortable after an incident in the second period, and he won't be able to continue in the contest. He's day-to-day pending a further update from the Penguins, but his status for Monday's game in Utah is in doubt. If Girard is out, Ryan Johnson may make his Penguins debut.

OCTOBER 18 • ROTOWIRE

Strong start continues Saturday Girard scored a goal and put three shots on net in Saturday's 6-5 overtime win over Montreal.

Impact Girard provided two assists during Pittsburgh's Opening Night clash before he continued his hot start Saturday, where he found the back of the net in the second period to give the Penguins a 3-1 lead. The 28-year-old blueliner appears to be in for a solid role in his first full year with the Pens. He compiled three goals and 19 points across just 60 regular-season outings in 2025-26, but he's on pace to challenge the 25-point mark and beyond in the new season. He's a solid waiver-wire pickup in deep leagues for as long as the Penguins' offense stays hot and he occupies a top-four pairing.

OCTOBER 4 • ROTOWIRE

Picks up two assists Wednesday Girard logged two assists, two shots on goal and a plus-3 rating in Wednesday's 7-0 win over the Flyers.

Impact Girard had mixed results at times in 2025-26, logging a total of 19 points over 60 regular-season contests between the Avalanche and the Penguins. The defenseman's first full year with Pittsburgh is off to a positive start. Notably, he was on the second pairing alongside Kaedan Korczak, while Kris Letang worked alongside Trevor van Riemsdyk on the third pairing. Girard also featured with the second power-play unit, and if that role sticks, his offense is poised to get back over the 20-point mark. He hasn't averaged more than a minute per game with the man advantage since the 2022-23 campaign, which was also the last year he got above the 30-point threshold.

OCTOBER 1 • ROTOWIRE

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APRIL 23 • Associated Press

Ready for playoffs Girard (rest) was on the ice for Thursday's practice session, Michelle Crechiolo of the Penguins' official site reports.

Impact Girard has yet to find the back of the net since joining the Penguins at the deadline, producing seven helpers, 10 shots and 21 blocks while paired up with Kris Letang. While the 27-year-old Girard has yet to see much in the way of power-play ice time with Pittsburgh, it's a role he has filled in the past and could do so again if called upon.

APRIL 16 • ROTOWIRE

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APRIL 15 • Associated Press

Not playing Tuesday Girard (rest) isn't expected to play against St. Louis on Tuesday, according to Seth Rorabaugh of Tribune-Review Sports.

Impact Girard will skip Pittsburgh's regular-season finale to get ready for the playoffs. He has accounted for three goals, 19 points, 41 shots on net and 58 blocked shots in 60 games between the Penguins and Avalanche during the 2025-26 campaign.

APRIL 14 • ROTOWIRE

Dishes pair of helpers Girard notched two assists and six blocked shots in Thursdays' 6-3 loss to the Lightning.

Impact Girard has earned five assists over eight games since he returned from an upper-body injury. The defenseman is now at 17 points, 39 shots on net, 53 blocked shots, 21 PIM and a plus-15 rating across 55 appearances between the Penguins and the Avalanche this season. Girard is playing in a top-four role for the Penguins, but he hasn't unseated Erik Karlsson or Kris Letang for power-play minutes.

APRIL 3 • ROTOWIRE

Nabs assist in return Girard logged an assist in Saturday's 5-4 shootout win over the Jets.

Impact Girard missed the previous five games due to an upper-body injury. The 27-year-old blueliner helped out on a Rickard Rakell tally in the first period. This was Girard's first assist in eight games with the Penguins, and he's up to 13 points, 36 shots on net, 45 blocked shots and a plus-11 rating over 48 appearances between Pittsburgh and Colorado. Girard hasn't looked great with his new team, but he could get a larger role if Ryan Shea (upper body) misses time.

MARCH 22 • ROTOWIRE

Returns to lineup Girard (upper body) will be back in the lineup versus Winnipeg on Saturday,

Impact Girard missed five games with the injury. He will play alongside Kris Letang on the second pairing. Girard has three goals and 12 points in 47 games split between Colorado and Pittsburgh this season.

MARCH 21 • ROTOWIRE

Still out of action Girard (upper body) won't play Wednesday versus the Hurricanes.

Impact Girard is set to miss his fifth straight contest due to the injury. That allows Connor Clifton the opportunity to stay in the lineup. Girard's next chance to play is Saturday versus the Jets, though that is the first half of a back-to-back set.

MARCH 18 • ROTOWIRE

Remains shelved Monday Girard (upper body) will miss Monday's road clash against the Avalanche, per Jesse Montano of Guerilla Sports.

Impact Girard is set to be absent for his fourth consecutive contest Monday and will miss out on the opportunity to face off against his former Colorado teammates. Since the Penguins acquired the 27-year-old blueliner via trade from Colorado on Feb. 24, he's struggled to find his footing offensively. Despite not suiting up Monday, he was spotted getting extra work in with Pittsburgh's other injured players, which shows he might be close to returning. His next opportunity to take the ice is Wednesday's road matchup against Carolina.

MARCH 16 • ROTOWIRE

Ruled out Saturday Girard (upper body) will miss Saturday's clash in Utah, Penguins play-by-play announcer Josh Getzoff reports.

Impact Girard will miss his third straight game. The 27-year-old blueliner has yet to pick up a point in seven games with Pittsburgh after he was dealt from Colorado. He had three goals and nine assists in 40 games with the Avalanche before the trade. He could return Monday against his former Avalanche teammates in Colorado.

MARCH 14 • ROTOWIRE

Not available Thursday Girard (upper body) has been ruled out of Thursday's clash in Vegas.

Impact Girard missed Tuesday's tilt against Carolina. The defenseman has yet to pick up a point in seven games with the Penguins after accumulating three goals and nine assists in 40 games with Colorado before his trade Feb. 24. Look for Ilya Solovyov to remain in the lineup in Girard's absence.

MARCH 12 • ROTOWIRE

Out with upper-body injury Girard will not be in the lineup against the Hurricanes on Tuesday due to an upper-body injury.

Impact Girard is considered day-to-day due to his injury, so it may not be a long-term absence. In seven appearances for the Penguins since being acquired at the trade deadline, the 27-year-old blueliner has yet to register a point. Without Girard in the lineup, Ilya Solovyov and Ryan Graves could make up the bottom pairing.

MARCH 10 • ROTOWIRE

Available to play Girard (lower body) will be good to go for Saturday's game against the Rangers, Josh Yohe of The Athletic reports.

Impact Girard sat out Friday's practice, but he will be available for Saturday's matinee matchup against the Rangers. After being acquired in a trade with Colorado on Tuesday, he had one shot on goal and four blocked shots in 17:53 of ice time against New Jersey on Thursday.

FEBRUARY 28 • ROTOWIRE

Traveling with team Girard (lower body) will join the team for its trip to New York on Saturday, Dan Potash of Sportsnet Pittsburgh reports.

Impact Girard is still being evaluated for his lower-body injury, but the fact that he is traveling with the team should bode well for his availability. In his first game with the Pens, the 27-year-old blueliner registered four blocks and one shot while logging 17:53 of ice time. If Girard does miss any time, it will likely open up a spot in the lineup for Ryan Graves or Ilya Solovyov.

FEBRUARY 27 • ROTOWIRE

Dealing with lower-body issue Girard missed practice Friday while being evaluated for a lower-body injury.

Impact Girard appears to have been injured in his Penguins' debut against the Devils on Thursday. In that outing, the 27-year-old defenseman made four blocks, which may have resulted in his injury. If Girard does miss any time, it will open up a spot in the lineup for Ryan Graves or Ilya Solovyov.

FEBRUARY 27 • ROTOWIRE

NHL Tonight: Avalanche Penguins trade talk | NHL.com The NHL Tonight crew react to Colorado acquiring Brett Kulak from Pittsburg for Samuel Girard and a 2028 second round pick

FEBRUARY 25 • NHL.COM

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Make room! Flyers, Penguins squeeze 11 players inside penalty box after Game 3 melee

Jimmy Snuggerud scores twice, leads Blues back from 3-goal deficit to beat Penguins 7-5