The Flyers’ front office held a press conference to mark the halfway point of an unremarkable season. The press briefing consisted mostly of the front office lamenting the Flyers injury woes and revisiting an underwhelming season. Perhaps the most noteworthy statements indicated the team was going to approach Giroux about waiving his no trade clause.
Can it Happen?
Waiving the trade clause should be a no brainer for Giroux, and the organization as well. First, it gives Giroux, now 34, a chance to play meaningful hockey this spring, with the possibility of raising the Stanley Cup. For the team, it is a chance to rebuild for the small cost of losing Giroux for half of a disappointing season.
Trading Giroux is not the whole sale change the team could have, and perhaps should have, pursued. It is still a chance to start to rebuild much of the player capital that has been squandered in the front office’s ill-fated “contention” run.
Every playoff team should have an interest in Giroux. He is a prolific scoring center/winger who can win faceoffs and make a difference on special teams. With half the season already played, Giroux has only about $4.1 million left on his contract, which could be cut to $2 million if the Flyers retain half of his salary, which they should do.
Who Wants Giroux ?
There are three types of teams which should drive the market for Giroux. I believe the price to be in the range of two first round picks, a conditional fourth round pick and a prospect. This depends on the standings or draft position and quality of the prospect.
The first group are the aging powers who are looking for one last run at the cup, where Giroux would give their veteran lineups another reliable scorer who could dominate as a 2C or 3C. The Bruins, Lightning, Blues and Penguins are the best examples. The squads are veteran laden and could see Giroux as an accelerant and protection from injuries.