Pittsburgh loses Girard to IR following Vegas injury
Pittsburgh announced Saturday that defenseman Sam Girard has been placed on injured reserve. He has not played since being hurt in an Oct. 17 loss to Vegas while trying to recover defensively. Girard, in his second season with the Penguins, had seven points in nine games before the injury.
Pittsburgh's Saturday announcement puts Girard on IR after he was hurt Oct. 17 versus Vegas while retreating to defend. The 2016 second-round pick by Colorado spent his whole NHL career with the Avalanche before joining the Penguins last season; he set a personal best with 37 points in 2022-23 and has 249 points in 617 games, including three in seven playoff contests during Colorado's 2022 Cup run.
This season he has seven points in nine appearances, equaling his output in 20 games with Pittsburgh after the trade, while averaging 18:44 and posting a minus-4. The Penguins opened 2-0-0, lost seven of eight, then beat Florida 4-0 on Thursday; they host Nashville on Saturday and Utah next Thursday.
Girard's absence may affect the Penguins' defensive rotation and could alter how much responsibility falls on teammates during a difficult stretch. Pittsburgh fans and fantasy hockey participants could feel the short-term impact through lineup changes and reduced production, while the broader hockey audience may see renewed attention on injury management and roster depth. Because the timeline is unclear, the club's on-ice results and Girard's recovery could shape how this story is viewed locally.