The Colorado Avalanche have announced a key defenseman has left the team today. <h2>Key Avalanche Defenseman Has Left The Team</h2> The Colorado Avalanche announced that Samuel Girard will miss tonight's game after leaving the team for personal reasons. <q>Girard will not play tonight, per Bednar on his @AltitudeSR show. He's currently away from the team for personal reasons.</q> <div align='center'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/evanrawal/status/1727349485850804299?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1727349485850804299%7Ctwgr%5Ef0abfc11db1d4124b9150e8e53f7b05a520204d9%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bladeofsteel.com%2FColorado-Avalanche-defender-leaves-the-team-for-personal-reasons-302986'> </a></blockquote></div> As of now, a timetable has not been established for when Girard will return. We wish Girard well and hope that he can return to his crucial role on a contending team soon. For now, life in the NHL rolls along, and the Avalanche will face off against the Canucks tonight. <h2>Avalanche Look To Continue Winning Ways Without Key Defenseman</h2> With Girard away from the team the Avalanche will lose a 20-minute-per-night defenseman. In 15 games this season playing 20 minutes per night Girard has 4 points. Girard has been a consistent presence on the Avalanche defense since being acquired from the Nashville Predators. Colorado has not named a replacement for the key minutes that Girard plays as of now. As the game gets closer to puck drop we will get a lineup announcement and know who is getting a bigger role. <a href='https://www.bladeofsteel.com/nhl/news/Colorado-Avalanche-defender-leaves-the-team-for-personal-reasons' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>As Read On - Blade Of Steel - Colorado Avalanche defender leaves the team for personal reasons</a>