Penguins place D Samuel Girard on injured reserve

Apr 29, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Samuel Girard (49) reacts with defenseman Kris Letang (58) against the Philadelphia Flyers in the third period in game six of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images The Pittsburgh Penguins placed veteran defenseman Samuel Girard on injured reserve Saturday. Girard, 28, sustained a lower-body injury during a 6-2 road loss to the Vegas Golden Knights on Oct. 17. He has one goal and six assists through nine games in his first full season with the Penguins, who acquired him in a Feb. 24 trade with the Colorado Avalanche. A 2022 Stanley Cup champion with Colorado, Girard has posted 249 points (38 goals, 211 assists) in 617 games with the Nashville Predators, Avalanche and Penguins. Pittsburgh recalled forward Avery Hayes, 24, from AHL affiliate Wilkes-Barre/Scranton in a corresponding transaction. He made his NHL debut with the Penguins last season and tallied five goals in 16 games. --Field Level Media