Avs' In-House Girard Heirs Emerge

The Avalanche front office quietly grooms internal options to fill the void if Samuel Girard ships out before the deadline, as cap crunches and Cale Makar's extension loom large. With Jared Bednar preaching third-line center upgrades and defensive depth that's one tweak from disaster, these prospects get their shot to prove they're more than placeholders. Colorado knows Girard's $5 million ticket moves the needle for a Cup push, but only if the right pieces slide in seamlessly.