Whenever the Colorado Avalanche [http://thn.com/colorado] are tight for cap space, Samuel Girard tends to surface as a cost-cutting trade candidate. The last time was in June [https://thehockeynews.com/news/latest-news/nhl-rumor-roundup-could-the-avalanche-trade-samuel-girard-or-martin-necas-what-s-the-latest-on-marco-rossi] after the Avalanche re-signed center Brock Nelson to a three-year contract. Girard is signed through 2026-27 with an average annual value of $5 million [https://puckpedia.com/player/samuel-girard]. The 27-year-old defenseman also carries a nine-team no-trade list. Corey Masisak of The Denver Post noted [https://www.denverpost.com/2025/06/01/avalanche-trade-samuel-girard-contracts/] Girard's frequent appearances as a trade candidate. However, he felt it wouldn't be easy for the Avalanche to replace him, citing his role on their second pairing and his team-friendly contract. Nevertheless, Aarif Deen of Colorado Hockey Now believes [https://coloradohockeynow.com/2025/07/30/3-under-the-radar-avalanche-storylines-to-follow-this-season/] he could be shopped at some point. He noted the Avalanche's failed attempt to retain trade-deadline acquisition Ryan Lindgren, their addition of Brent Burns, and the decline in Girard's playing time during the 2025 playoffs. Deen doesn't see the Avalanche paying Girard $5 million annually to be a third-pairing blueliner. He thinks they could see a lesser role for him compared to previous years. The Avalanche currently has over $3.3 million [https://puckpedia.com/team/colorado-avalanche] in cap space for 2025-26 with 22 active roster players under contract. They're in no hurry to shed salary, but that could change if they see an opportunity to improve their roster elsewhere. Samuel Girard (Sergei Belski-Imagn Images) [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/84a969ef-ed9b-4c07-8429-5347a8c6d1e5.jpeg] Samuel Girard (Sergei Belski-Imagn Images) In Toronto, the Maple Leafs [http://thn.com/toronto] avoided arbitration with Nick Robertson, as the two sides agreed to a one-year contract with a cap hit of $1.85 million [https://thehockeynews.com/news/latest-news/all-nhl-arbitration-cases-are-done-as-maple-leafs-and-robertson-settle]. However, there's speculation suggesting Robertson could be traded. Chris Johnston of The Athletic observed the Maple Leafs are carrying 14 forwards, suggesting [https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6510996/2025/08/02/maple-leafs-nick-robertson-contract-extension/] they could move out David Kampf, Calle Jarnkrok, [https://thehockeynews.com/news/latest-news/three-players-the-maple-leafs-should-trade-away-and-three-players-they-should-trade-for] or Robertson before the start of the season. The Hockey News' Nick Barden cited [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/they-re-trying-to-move-money-around-maple-leafs-reportedly-haven-t-closed-door-on-signing-ufa-jack-roslovic] Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reporting the Leafs are among several teams with interest in free-agent forward Jack Roslovic. Friedman claimed they're still trying to move some money around, potentially to add the 28-year-old Roslovic [https://thehockeynews.com/news/latest-news/three-potential-nhl-landing-spots-for-ufa-jack-roslovic]. Johnston claimed the Leafs were reluctant to peddle the 23-year-old Robertson in the past because of his youth and scoring ability. Their preference could be shopping Kampf or Jarnkrok, but Robertson could generate more interest. Get the latest news and trending stories by following The Hockey News on Google News [https://news.google.com/publications/CAAqBwgKMK-q0gsw7sXpAw?hl=en-CA&gl=CA&ceid=CA%3Aen] and by subscribing to The Hockey News newsletter here [http://eepurl.com/i7OC4I]. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com.
