Will the Flyers Find A Trade Partner for Claude Giroux?
Claude Giroux remains among the notable names in the rumor mill, but will the Flyers be able to find a suitable trade partner?
With the NHL's March 21 trade deadline a week away, Claude Giroux remains among the notable names in the rumor mill. The 34-year-old Philadelphia Flyers captain is expected to waive his no-movement clause to join a Stanley Cup contender but there's no sign the Flyers are closing in on a suitable trade partner.
On Saturday, Sportsnet's Jeff Marek reported things were quiet on the Giroux trade front. He indicated teams have contacted the Flyers but there haven't been any significant offers yet.
Marek also pointed out Giroux will play his 1,000th career game as a Flyer on Thursday against the Nashville Predators. If he's to be traded, it'll likely happen sometime after that game leading up to deadline day.
Meanwhile, speculation persists over potential suitors for Giroux.
Last week, Marek mentioned Flyers management recently scouted the Florida Panthers' AHL affiliate in Charlotte. He noted the rumors linking Giroux to the Panthers, suggesting the Flyers may have been scouting Owen Tippett.
Marek's colleague Elliotte Friedman subsequently noted the Panthers and Colorado Avalanche were among the clubs thought to be interested in Giroux. He also suggested not to discount the St. Louis Blues as a suitor.
Pointing out the Flyers also scouted the Washington Capitals AHL affiliate in Hershey, Philly Hockey Now's Sam Carchidi mused over Giroux possibly reuniting with former Flyers coach Peter Laviolette in Washington. Meanwhile, TSN's Pierre LeBrun speculated it could take a three-team trade to move Giroux, though the Flyers' preference is to avoid that scenario.
The Avalanche could be the team to watch here. With Gabriel Landeskog ($7-million annual cap hit) and Samuel Girard ($5 million) sidelined for weeks, they could have sufficient salary-cap flexibility if one or both end up on long-term injury reserve to add a star like Giroux.