Sam Girard is a very solid top 4 defenseman, only 23 years old, and signed for another 6 years at a very reasonable $5M cap hit. He had some tough games early in the season, but he’s also still playing 21+ minutes a night, is a positive possession player as usual (55% CF), is on pace for a career best 45+ points this season. All while shouldering more defensive responsibility than ever before is his career (48% dZone starts in 2021-22 compared to 41% for his career). Yes, Colorado has a surplus on defense. But they don’t need to trade Sam Girard. Erik Johnson’s deal is up after next year and Devon Toews is up the year after that, so long-term it would probably be wise to hang on to Girard.

If a team is going to pry him out of Colorado, it’s going to hurt. A package built around 26 year-old wing going into the last year of RFA, plus a 37 year old rental goalie and an LTIR contact doesn’t get it done. A Girard conversation with Chicago probably starts with Alex Debrincat or Kirby Dach.

QO is only 4m. He will be easily resigned so the 1 year RFA doesn't factor into the value Imo. I think your overvaluing Girard if your comparing it to DeBrincat who is a top 5 goalscorer year in year out and Kirby Dach who is a blue chip prospect. Girard certainly holds value but not that much. Whilst Kubalik has had a rough start but the coaching and no chemistry with line combinations due to all the changes, he is a proven goal scorer at NHL level and on good contract holds considerable value.

Not a chance the Avs do that.

Interesting ideas here... not sure Isles are buyers unless they're back into a playoff spot. If they are, then this could be a desperation deal (a 2nd is high for DeHaan). The deal to COL is also intriguing. Again, I say this would also be predicated on where the Avs sit at the TDL. I expect they'll be buyers and a skilled forward is always an attractive piece. Hard to imagine they'd part with a core D-man, but maybe goaltending becomes an issue (either performance or health). Overall, decent ideas, but a lot of this trade's rationale is based on speculating about the trade partners' position 2.5 months from now. The deals would not happen today, however.