What seemed like a foregone conclusion about a month ago is starting to become a rather interesting topic for debate. With the Philadelphia Flyers free-falling in the standings and an expiring contract to boot, it almost seemed inevitable that the Flyers and Claude Giroux would mutually agree to a trade at the trade deadline. Some reports had it as a slam dunk that Giroux would get moved, but other reports have mentioned that there have been little to no discussion between both parties. It will ultimately come down to Giroux, who owns a no-movement clause.
It’s no secret that the Flyers have had a horrendous season, their record says it all but its compounded by two separate 10+ game winless streaks, one of which they’re currently mired in. With the present looking gloomy and the future not looking so bright, a typical free-falling team would be selling at the trade deadline. The Flyers aren’t your typical NHL team apparently, and it’s anyone’s guess as to what happens to Claude Giroux come trade deadline time.
During their press conference a few days ago, when broached about the subject, Chuck Fletcher made it very clear that it all comes down to Giroux and his demands and wishes. He owns a no movement clause, therefore he dictates his future and whether or not he remains a Flyer or not. For someone who has spent his entire 15-year career in the same city, it’s probably a very tough decision, then you add in certain variables like family and children into the mix as well.
About a month ago on The Jeff Marek Show, Elliotte Friedman sat down and discussed the state of the Flyers and dropped a few nuggets about big moves that would be on the horizon. He was very certain concerning a Giroux trade as he said he would bet his house on it and honestly, it made a lot of sense; it still does. From a player’s standpoint as well, why would you want to stay on a sinking ship? However, the situation is a little trickier than initially imagined.
Shortly after that there were conflicting reports from Pierre LeBrun that the Flyers and Giroux’s team have had little to no discussion about a possible move, signalling the idea that maybe Giroux remains a Flyer for the foreseeable future. Henrik Lundqvist rejected a trade out of New York in 2018 with the Rangers out of a playoff spot, so it definitely isn’t out of the question for Giroux.
Giroux is the longest tenured captain in Flyers history, is currently second in points behind only Bobby Clarke, second in assists, ninth in goals, and the list is endless. He is arguably the second best player in franchise history and for someone who has worn that sweater for 15 years, especially during the very lean years in franchise history, he deserves a chance at winning a Stanley Cup. He also deserves to call the shots on whether or not he gets moved and where he gets moved to. However, there’s a lot of attachment to the city and the team, that just like Lundqvist, it’s very possible that he rejects any trade out of Philadelphia.
Dave Scott and Chuck Fletcher didn’t seem too keen on the idea of rebuilding the Flyers even though they currently fit that mold. Scott explicitly believes that a 3-5 year rebuild is unnecessary and under the tutelage of Fletcher, who he thinks is doing a fantastic job as general manager, he’ll find a way to get this team competitive again at the deadline and beyond. If that is the case, then trading your best player, expiring contract or not, doesn’t necessarily make sense.
Conversations will be had from now all the way to the deadline, several teams are already interested as Friedman noted earlier this week that the Toronto Maple Leafs sent a trade offer for Giroux. Colorado is very keen on Giroux, Boston desperately needs secondary scoring, and several other contenders will be lining up for his services should he decide he wants to move on.
Nick Foligno, who was injured and wasn’t producing many points last season, fetched a first round pick and then some from the Maple Leafs. Maybe it was just the case of one team being very desperate for a sandpaper type player, but if you use that trade model and the buzz that Giroux will command, the Flyers could make out as gangbusters in a possible deal. With how much Giroux loves the Flyers, it is also conceivable that if he does get moved at the deadline, he could return to the Flyers in the off-season on a newer and cheaper deal; a win-win situation for the Flyers.
All of that is hearsay until the trade deadline actually approaches and passes. Loyalty and nobility are qualities that hockey players possess more so than any other sport and if Giroux wants to stick it out with this franchise, the only franchise he’s known, then we will have to accept that; which most of the fanbase will, with open arms at that. If he decides he wants out, no one in their right mind will disagree with that notion either. Being on a team that has lost 24 of their last 29 games, haven’t won a game in 2022, and more wins than only two other teams, it’s not a fun place to be and the captain to boot.
As badly as the fans want a rebuild and as necessary as it seems, with what Scott and Fletcher said during their press conference, it might not come to pass. If that is the case then trading Giroux might not make sense for their future plans. However, it’s no surprise that he will bring back assets that the Flyers desperately need.
Right or wrong, it’s a toss up and it can honestly go either way, but let’s also not rule out the fact that Giroux could return as a UFA. It will be an interesting 2 months leading up to the trade deadline but one thing seems consistent, and that’s the free-falling nature of the on-ice entertainment, which should play a big part on Giroux’s final decision.
