Girard (undisclosed) was taken off injured reserve Thursday.
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.
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Penguins' Samuel Girard: Game-time call Thursday
Rotowire
Girard (undisclosed) is considered a game-time decision for Thursday's home game against the Mammoth, per Seth Rorabaugh of Tribune-Review Sports.
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.
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Penguins' Samuel Girard: Moves to IR
Rotowire
Girard (undisclosed) was placed on injured reserve Saturday.
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.
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Penguins' Samuel Girard: Won't play Thursday
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Girard (undisclosed) will not be an option versus the Panthers on Thursday, Michelle Crechiolo of the Penguins' official site reports.
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, but it's Ilya Solovyov who figures to continue playing on the blue line in Girard's absence.
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Penguins' Samuel Girard: Slated to miss Monday's game
Rotowire
Girard (undisclosed) is not expected to play Monday in Utah.
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.
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Penguins' Samuel Girard: Game-time call versus Utah
Rotowire
Girard (undisclosed) will be a game-time decision for Monday's matchup with the Mammoth, Josh Getzoff of SportsNet Pittsburgh reports.
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.
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Penguins' Samuel Girard: Sustains injury Saturday
Rotowire
Girard (undisclosed) won't return to Saturday's game versus the Golden Knights.
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.
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Penguins' Samuel Girard: Strong start continues Saturday
Rotowire
Girard scored a goal and put three shots on net in Saturday's 6-5 overtime win over Montreal.
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.
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Penguins' Samuel Girard: Picks up two assists Wednesday
Rotowire
Girard logged two assists, two shots on goal and a plus-3 rating in Wednesday's 7-0 win over the Flyers.
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.
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Penguins' Samuel Girard: Ready for playoffs
Rotowire
Girard (rest) was on the ice for Thursday's practice session, Michelle Crechiolo of the Penguins' official site reports.
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.
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Penguins' Samuel Girard: Not playing Tuesday
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Girard (rest) isn't expected to play against St. Louis on Tuesday, according to Seth Rorabaugh of Tribune-Review Sports.
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.
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Penguins' Samuel Girard: Dishes pair of helpers
Rotowire
Girard notched two assists and six blocked shots in Thursdays' 6-3 loss to the Lightning.
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.
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Penguins' Samuel Girard: Nabs assist in return
Rotowire
Girard logged an assist in Saturday's 5-4 shootout win over the Jets.
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.
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Penguins' Samuel Girard: Returns to lineup
Rotowire
Girard (upper body) will be back in the lineup versus Winnipeg on Saturday,
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.
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Penguins' Samuel Girard: Still out of action
Rotowire
Girard (upper body) won't play Wednesday versus the Hurricanes.
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.
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Penguins' Samuel Girard: Remains shelved Monday
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Girard (upper body) will miss Monday's road game against the Avalanche, per Jesse Montano of Guerilla Sports.
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, as he's failed to record a point in seven games with his new team. 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.
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Penguins' Samuel Girard: Ruled out Saturday
Rotowire
Girard (upper body) will miss Saturday's clash in Utah, Penguins play-by-play announcer Josh Getzoff reports.
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 being acquired from Colorado on Feb. 24. He had three goals and nine assists in 40 games with the Avalanche before the trade. It's unclear if he will be ready to return Monday against his former teammates in Colorado.
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Penguins' Samuel Girard: Not available Thursday
Rotowire
Girard (upper body) has been ruled out of Thursday's clash in Vegas.
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.
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Penguins' Samuel Girard: Out with upper-body injury
Rotowire
Girard will not be in the lineup against the Hurricanes on Tuesday due to an upper-body injury.
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.
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Penguins' Samuel Girard: Available to play
Rotowire
Girard (lower body) will be good to go for Saturday's game against the Rangers, Josh Yohe of The Athletic reports.
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.
