Samuel
Girard
D · PIT · Defensive · Around average
- PAL
- 57
- WAR
- 1.3
- Value
- 42
- PTS
- 7
2025-26№ 50 / 325
Samuel Girard (Pittsburgh Penguins) stats and profile: offensive production, ice time, advanced stats, WAR and PAL rating.
Samuel Girard
HEIGHT : 178 cm · WEIGHT : 83 kg · SHOOTS : L
Born : May 11, 1998 · Roberval, Canada
Drafted : 2016 · NSH · round 2, pick #47
Contract : $5,000,000 · 2020-21 → 2026-27 · Standard Contract (Extension) · UFAM-NTC
NHL record
| Year | Team | GP | G | A | PTS | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-27 | Pittsburgh Penguins | 15 | 1 | 6 | 7 | 4 |
| 2025-26 | Pittsburgh Penguins | 20 | 0 | 7 | 7 | 8 |
| 2025-26 | Colorado Avalanche | 40 | 3 | 9 | 12 | 15 |
| 2024-25 | Colorado Avalanche | 73 | 3 | 21 | 24 | 14 |
| 2023-24 | Colorado Avalanche | 59 | 3 | 15 | 18 | 10 |
| 2022-23 | Colorado Avalanche | 76 | 6 | 31 | 37 | 16 |
| 2021-22 | Colorado Avalanche | 67 | 5 | 23 | 28 | 20 |
| 2020-21 | Colorado Avalanche | 48 | 5 | 27 | 32 | 16 |
| 2019-20 | Colorado Avalanche | 70 | 4 | 30 | 34 | 17 |
| 2018-19 | Colorado Avalanche | 82 | 4 | 23 | 27 | 6 |
| 2017-18 | Colorado Avalanche | 68 | 3 | 17 | 20 | 6 |
| 2017-18 | Nashville Predators | 5 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 2 |
| NHL totals | 622 | 38 | 211 | 249 | 134 | |
Playoffs
| Year | Team | GP | G | A | PTS | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | Pittsburgh Penguins | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| 2024-25 | Colorado Avalanche | 7 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 0 |
| 2023-24 | Colorado Avalanche | 9 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| 2022-23 | Colorado Avalanche | 7 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| 2021-22 | Colorado Avalanche | 7 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 0 |
| 2020-21 | Colorado Avalanche | 10 | 0 | 5 | 5 | 2 |
| 2019-20 | Colorado Avalanche | 15 | 1 | 9 | 10 | 6 |
| 2018-19 | Colorado Avalanche | 9 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| 2017-18 | Colorado Avalanche | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Playoff totals | 73 | 3 | 25 | 28 | 14 | |
Honours
- 🏆 Stanley Cuponce · 2021-22
Samuel Girard: our analysis
2025-26 season: 20 GP, 0 G, 7 A, 7 PTS, +5 +/-, 18:56 TOI. WAR 1.3 (50th of 325) · PAL 57, around average.
In 2025-26, Samuel Girard, 28, posts a PAL Rating of 57 out of 100 (around average), and his WAR of 1.3 ranks 50th among 325 regulars, in the top quarter.
His strengths: possession (83, well above average) and defense (70, above average). On the other hand, creation (18, well below average) and power play (22, well below average) hold him back.
Breaking down his WAR (goals above average), his biggest contribution: EV offense (+3.2); his biggest cost: penalties (-0.9).
A season in line with 2024-25 (PAL of 56); his WAR went from 1.5 to 1.3.
Contract-wise, his Value score of 42 (poor return) weighs his output against what he costs: 50 is what that salary should buy.
Samuel Girard's story
Raised in Roberval, Samuel Girard began skating very young and progressed through local minor hockey before moving to the QMJHL's Shawinigan Cataractes as a high draft pick. His early development included work on strength and power skating that helped him make the jump from junior AAA to major junior and earn attention as an offensively talented, mobile defenceman.
In Shawinigan Girard quickly compiled accolades: a Raymond Lagacé Trophy as top defensive rookie, a place on the QMJHL All-Rookie Team, then a 74-point season that brought him the Émile-Bouchard Trophy as the league's top defenceman and the Frank J. Selke Memorial Trophy for sportsmanship, plus CHL recognition. Those performances put him on NHL radars and Nashville selected him 47th overall in the 2016 Entry Draft; he signed an entry-level deal later that year and finished his junior career before turning pro.
Girard made his NHL debut with the Nashville Predators in October 2017, but after five appearances he was moved to the Colorado Avalanche on 5 November 2017 in a multi-team trade. In Colorado he became a regular on the blue line, logging heavy minutes, playing a full 82-game season in 2018–19 and taking part in deep playoff runs. He signed a seven-year, $35 million extension in July 2019 and was a member of the Avalanche squad that won the Stanley Cup in 2022.
Across his Avalanche tenure Girard hit personal milestones — reaching 200 career points in October 2024 and his 500th NHL game in December 2024 — while also enduring injuries that interrupted playoff appearances. He recorded career highs in points in the 2022–23 season and formed part of a young, productive defensive group that included Cale Makar. Midway through the 2025–26 campaign he was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins on 24 February 2026 in exchange for Brett Kulak and a draft pick.
On the ice Girard is known for smooth skating and transitional skill, an offensive bent from the back end and strong edge work despite a smaller frame at draft time (5-foot-10). Scouts and writers have likened his style to agile puck-moving defencemen, highlighting his ability to create plays out of the defensive zone.
Facts drawn from Wikipédia, told in our own words.
Advanced stats
- TOI/GP
- 19:02
- PP TOI/GP
- 0:11
- SH TOI/GP
- 1:40
- Pts/GP
- 0.47
- EV points
- 7
- Hits
- 6
- Blocks
- 18
- Takeaways
- 3
- Corsi % (SAT)
- 51.2 %
- Off. zone starts
- 31.4 %
Stats and photos: NHL (NHL.com)
2026-27 projection
Projected points
24between 13 and 34 (80% range)
- Goals
- 4
- Assists
- 20
- Games
- 67
So far: 7 pts in 15 games. The team has played 18 of 84 games. Projected pace: 0.33 pts per game (last season: 0.32).
The projection follows last season's pace. Tested on 2,265 player seasons (2022-23 to 2025-26): average miss of 9 points over 82 games; for players at 0.9 points per game and up, it ran 5 points high on average.
Trend
Stable
- Points per game: 0.31 in 23-24, 0.32 in 25-26
- PAL Rating: 56 → 57
Outlook, age included
→ StableAge 28: prime years
This is only a projection. It knows nothing about injuries, trades or role changes; one player in five finishes outside the range.
Player ratings, 2025-26
All ratings →Fourteen ratings from 0 to 100 drawn from data, never by hand: 75 = established NHL player, 95+ = elite.
OV · OverallConfidence 84 %
81
Very good
- SK
- Skating
- 83
- Confidence 73 %
- ST
- Strength
- 57
- Confidence 87 %
- EN
- Endurance
- 75
- Confidence 80 %
- DU
- Durability
- 72
- Confidence 77 %
- CK
- Checking
- 68
- Confidence 87 %
- FG
- Fighting
- 75
- Confidence 62 %
- DI
- Discipline
- 82
- Confidence 87 %
- FO
- Faceoffs
- —
- PA
- Passing
- 81
- Confidence 84 %
- SC
- Scoring
- 72
- Confidence 84 %
- DF
- Defense
- 80
- Confidence 81 %
- PS
- Penalty shot
- 64
- Confidence 8 %
- EX
- Experience
- 87
- Confidence 100 %
Why these ratings?Hide details
SK — Skating83
- Top speed (35 %)35.9 · 80
- Bursts > 20 mph /60 (30 %)2.874 · 85
- Distance /60 (20 %)14.5 · 82
- Speed consistency (15 %)34.5 · 75
ST — Strength57
- Contact absorbed /60 (50 %)4.642 · 71
- Body mass (50 %)-1.19 · 54
EN — Endurance75
- Ice time per game (45 %)19.2 · 76
- Total ice time (20 %)1,072 · 69
- Shift length (15 %)47.9 · 77
- Lowest recent ice time per game (15 %)17.8 · 76
- Special-teams time per game (5 %)1.916 · 68
DU — Durability72
- Share of games played (100 %)0.796 · 72
CK — Checking68
- Hits /60 (70 %)2.383 · 69
- Lowest seasonal rate (20 %)1.553 · 64
- Season volume (10 %)3.091 · 62
FG — Fighting75
- Fights per 82 games (100 %)0.824 · 75
DI — Discipline82
- Net penalty value /60 (50 %)-0.02 · 82
- Penalties taken /60 (30 %)0.425 · 86
- Penalties drawn /60 (20 %)0.31 · 66
PA — Passing81
- Primary assists /60 (40 %)0.396 · 77
- Secondary assists /60 (20 %)0.502 · 81
- Offensive creation (RAPM) (20 %)0.137 · 86
- Power-play points /60 (10 %)3.664 · 63
- Assist consistency (10 %)0.321 · 81
SC — Scoring72
- Goals /60 (25 %)0.18 · 70
- Individual xG /60 (20 %)0.181 · 71
- Finishing (goals − xG per shot) (20 %)0.151 · 73
- High-danger chances /60 (15 %)0.125 · 78
- xG per shot (10 %)0.035 · 77
- Shot attempts /60 (10 %)9.141 · 71
DF — Defense80
- RAPM defense /60 (35 %)0.069 · 80
- Relative xG against (20 %)-0.032 · 77
- On-ice xG against /60 (15 %)2.487 · 82
- Penalty kill /60 (10 %)0.113 · 84
- Takeaways − giveaways /60 (10 %)-1.84 · 78
- Shot attempts against /60 (5 %)58.7 · 71
- Blocked shots /60 (5 %)4.168 · 72
PS — Penalty shot64
- Shootouts (60 %)32.7 · 76
- Penalty shots (40 %)25.4 · 57
EX — Experience87
- Career regular-season games (65 %)90
- Career playoff games (25 %)81
- NHL seasons (10 %)78
OV — Overall81
- DF · Defense (30 %)80
- PA · Passing (22 %)81
- SK · Skating (12 %)83
- SC · Scoring (12 %)72
- EN · Endurance (9 %)75
- ST · Strength (6 %)57
- DI · Discipline (5 %)82
- CK · Checking (4 %)68
| Season | OV | SK | SC | DF |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | 81 | 83 | 72 | 80 |
| 2024-25 | 85 | 90 | 73 | 79 |
| 2023-24 | 87 | 94 | 76 | 79 |
| 2022-23 | 85 | 86 | 78 | 79 |
The bars show confidence (sample size), not player quality. — : not enough data, not a zero. Engine version 1.0.
WAR and PAL ratings, 2025-26
How we rate →PAL Rating scores performance from 0 to 100 against players at the same position (50 = average player), starting from the player's strength, offensive or defensive. Value Rating compares that performance with what the player costs: 50 means paid what the play is worth.
WAR
1.3
wins above replacement
50 of 325
PAL Rating
57/ 100
Performance · Around average
101 of 250 at the position
Value Rating
42/ 100
Poor return
5.00 M$ · expected PAL 65
ProfileDefensiveValue comes mostly from defense
- Offense
- 50
- Defense
- 75
See full detailsHide details
- Offense
- 53
- Creation
- 18
- Shooting
- 52
- Possession
- 83
- Defense
- 70
- Discipline
- 42
- Power play
- 22
- Penalty kill
- 59
From 0 to 100; 50 is the average player at the same position, adjusted for ice time.
| Season | Team | WAR | PAL | Value | Cap hit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | PIT | 1.3 | 57 | 42 | 5.00 M$ |
| 2024-25 | COL | 1.5 | 56 | 37 | 5.00 M$ |
| 2023-24 | COL | 1.2 | 72 | 55 | 5.00 M$ |
| 2022-23 | COL | 0.9 | 66 | 45 | 5.00 M$ |
Hockey IQ, 2025-26
Rankings and method →The quality of the player's decisions with and against the puck at 5-on-5, against regulars at the same position (50 = average). PAL measures output; IQ measures how the player plays.
Overall IQ
44/ 100
Average
better than 44% of defensemen, offense and defense combined
Offensive IQ
39/ 100
Below average
passing, shots, puck
Defensive IQ
47/ 100
Average
takeaways, discipline, own zone
Overall IQ isn't an average of the two scores: it's the player's rank with offense and defense combined, 125 of 225 defensemen.
See full detailsHide details
Offense
- Playmaking passes
- 48
- Shot selection
- 55
- Penalties drawn
- 31
- Puck management
- 43
Defense
- Takeaways
- 32
- Discipline
- 60
- Safe zone exits
- 51
Percentiles: 80 means better than 80% of regulars at the same position. Play without the puck (positioning, coverage) isn't measured: the NHL doesn't publish that data.
| Season | Team | IQ | Off. | Def. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | PIT | 44 | 39 | 47 |
| 2024-25 | COL | 62 | 36 | 81 |
| 2023-24 | COL | 85 | 60 | 90 |
| 2022-23 | COL | 89 | 35 | 98 |
WAR, 2025-26
How it's calculated →Wins added to the team, compared with a replacement-level player called up from the AHL.
1.3
wins above replacement
0.7 to 1.9 — 90% interval
50 of 325 defensemen
+6.9 goals above replacement
Full leaderboard →See full detailsHide details
- EV offense
- +3.2
- EV defense
- +1.7
- Power play
- -0.1
- Penalty kill
- +0.2
- Shooting
- +0.5
- Penalties
- -0.9
- Average → replacement
- +2.3
In goals.
| Season | Team | GP | WAR | 90% interval | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | PIT | 60 | 1.3 | 0.7 to 1.9 | 50/325 |
| 2024-25 | COL | 70 | 1.5 | 0.8 to 2.3 | 29/314 |
| 2023-24 | COL | 59 | 1.2 | 0.8 to 2.1 | 38/316 |
| 2022-23 | COL | 76 | 0.9 | 0.1 to 2.0 | 54/334 |
Player tracking (NHL EDGE)
League EDGE leaderboards →Speed, shot power, distance covered, time by zone: measured by chips in the puck and shoulder pads. 90th percentile = better than 90% of players.
- Hardest shot
- 138.4 km/h40th percentileleague avg. 139.7 km/h
- Top skating speed
- 35.8 km/h88th percentileleague avg. 34.0 km/h
- Bursts over 20 mph, season
- 1169th percentileleague avg. 8
- Offensive zone time
- 40.8 %46th percentileleague avg. 42.4 %
See full detailsHide details
- Total distance, season
- 62.6 km50th percentileleague avg. 56.1 km
- Distance, single-game high
- 5.26 km58th percentileleague avg. 4.98 km
- Offensive zone at 5v5
- 41.2 %37th percentileleague avg. 42.8 %
- Neutral zone time
- 18.9 %86th percentileleague avg. 16.9 %
- Defensive zone time
- 40.3 %53rd percentileleague avg. 40.8 %
Shooting
| Shots on goal | Goals | Shooting % | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All | 2071st percentile | 172nd percentile | 5.0 %47th percentile |
| High danger | 7100th percentile | 198th percentile | 14.3 %63rd percentile |
| Mid range | 251st percentile | 073rd percentile | 0.0 %50th percentile |
| Long range | 1072nd percentile | 077th percentile | 0.0 %67th percentile |
Shots on goal by zone
2026-2027 regular season. Measured by puck and player tracking chips; the percentile ranks the player within the league.
Game log, 2026-27
ANA
LAK
BOS
VGK
MTL
UTA
COL
CHI
DAL
CBJ
WSH
WPG
PHISamuel Girard: frequently asked questions
How many goals does Samuel Girard have in 2026-27?
Samuel Girard has 1 goal and 7 points (6 assists) in 15 games in 2026-27.
How old is Samuel Girard?
Samuel Girard is 28 years old: he was born on May 12, 1998.
How tall is Samuel Girard, and how much does he weigh?
Samuel Girard is 5'10" (178 cm) and weighs 183 lb (83 kg).
Where is Samuel Girard from?
Canada: Samuel Girard was born in Roberval, Quebec, Canada.
What team does Samuel Girard play for?
Samuel Girard plays for the Pittsburgh Penguins in the NHL, at D, wearing number 49.
Is Samuel Girard injured?
No: Samuel Girard is not on the latest NHL injury report. This answer is updated throughout the season.
How good is Samuel Girard?
Samuel Girard produced 1.3 wins above replacement (WAR) in 2025-26, 50th of 325 players at his position in the NHL. His PAL rating is 57 out of 100: around average for his position.
How much does Samuel Girard make?
Samuel Girard earns $5.0M for the 2025-26 season. His Value Rating is 42 out of 100 (poor return): it measures the on-field return for that salary, compared with players at his position.
When does Samuel Girard's contract end?
Samuel Girard's contract runs through the 2026-27 season; he will then be an unrestricted free agent. It includes a M-NTC clause.
Is Samuel Girard overpaid?
Yes, his output falls short of what his salary should buy. His Value rating is 42 out of 100 (poor return), where 50 is the output expected for his salary, compared with players at his position.
Is Samuel Girard a top-10 player at his position?
No: by WAR, he ranks 50th of 325 players at his position in the NHL in 2025-26. Our comparison tool puts him side by side with any other player.
Is Samuel Girard getting better?
He is holding steady: his PAL rating went from 56 in 2024-25 to 57 in 2025-26 (out of 100, 50 = average player at his position).
How has Samuel Girard played lately?
Over his last 10 games, Samuel Girard has 2 points (0 goals, 2 assists).
What are Samuel Girard's career stats?
Over his NHL career, Samuel Girard has 622 games, 38 goals, 211 assists and 249 points. His best season: 2022-23, with 37 points in 76 games.
Where was Samuel Girard drafted?
Samuel Girard was drafted 47th overall (round 2) by Nashville Predators in 2016.
Is Samuel Girard better at home or on the road?
On the road: in 2026-27, he averages 0.17 points per game at home (1 in 6 games) and 0.67 on the road (6 in 9 games).
How does Samuel Girard perform in the playoffs?
In the playoffs, Samuel Girard has 73 games and 28 points in his career. His pace (0.38 points per game) is similar to his regular-season pace (0.40).
Which player is most similar to Samuel Girard?
Drew Doughty: he is the player at his position whose PAL profile (the 0-to-100 dimensions) is closest to his in 2025-26.
Drew Doughty's page →Is Samuel Girard a good fantasy pick?
Probably not, except in deep leagues: our projection has him at 24 points in 2026-27, or 0.36 points per game.
Does Samuel Girard have siblings?
Yes: his brother Jérémy Girard (played midget hockey; the family could not afford AAA for both boys and Jérémy gave it up).
Is Samuel Girard related to anyone famous?
Yes: Guy Larouche (uncle, mayor of Roberval).
What is Samuel Girard's nationality?
Samuel Girard is Canadian. Internationally: Team Canada: gold medal at the 2015 Hlinka Gretzky Cup; selected for the World U-17 Hockey Challenge; invited to Canada's National Junior Team development camps in 2016 and 2017.
What awards has Samuel Girard won?
Raymond Lagacé Trophy as Defensive Rookie of the Year (QMJHL) ; Selected to the All-Rookie Team (QMJHL) ; Emile Bouchard Trophy as QMJHL Defenceman of the Year ; Frank J. Selke Memorial Trophy as the most sportsmanlike player (QMJHL) ; CHL Sportsman of the Year ; QMAAA First All-Star Team and Top Defenceman honours (after the 2013–14 season) ; QMJHL First All-Star Team (selected after his final junior season).
How many championships has Samuel Girard won?
1: Stanley Cup with the Colorado Avalanche in 2022.
Where did Samuel Girard play before turning pro?
Major junior hockey with the Shawinigan Cataractes (QMJHL); previously with the Jonquière Élites and in the QMAAA.
How many points is Samuel Girard projected to score in 2026-27?
Our projection has him at 24 points in 67 games in 2026-27 (13 to 34 points, 80% interval), based on his recent seasons, age and role.
See also: his Pittsburgh Penguins teammates
Full roster →
NHL.com ↗ · Stats and photos: NHL (NHL.com)