Avs on the Brink: Colton, Coyle, or a Defensive Star—Who’s Getting Traded?

“I know I might be put on the market — but remember this: I’m not some piece they can just throw away. I’m the reason opponents have to think twice.” – Samuel Girard

The Colorado Avalanche are heading into a season where the “win-now” pressure has never been more intense. With a roster stacked with talent but a salary cap stretched to its limit, tough personnel decisions are no longer a question of if, but who.

The three names drawing the most speculation are Ross Colton, Charlie Coyle, and Samuel Girard. Colton brings speed, grit, and the ability to score in clutch moments — but he’s also one of the most valuable trade assets the Avs could cash in. Coyle, acquired midseason last year, is a reliable two-way center, yet with Colorado’s depth down the middle, he could easily become trade bait if the team wants to bolster its wing scoring or solidify the goaltending position.

The most controversial name, however, is Samuel Girard. At 26, Girard has been a key piece of Colorado’s puck-moving game from the blue line. Yet, his contract, combined with the emergence of younger, cheaper defensemen, forces the front office to take a hard look at his future. Girard’s fiery quote makes one thing clear — he has no intention of leaving Denver quietly, and he refuses to be treated as expendable.

If the Avalanche do pull the trigger on a major deal, the ripple effects in the locker room will be unavoidable. Girard is respected by his teammates and is deeply ingrained in head coach Jared Bednar’s system. Colton and Coyle, too, bring qualities essential for a deep playoff run.

The crux of the matter is this: the Avs must find a way to balance keeping core contributors with the need to improve the roster immediately to contend for another Stanley Cup. While trade rumors swirl, Girard’s statement has shifted the narrative from simple roster management to a mental battle — a player openly staking his claim to his value, not just to the team, but to the entire NHL.

If a deal does go down, Colorado could gain the assets they need to push deeper into the postseason. But the cost could be steep — potentially losing a key part of the team’s identity and chemistry that players like Girard have helped build over the years.