Flyers Tradecraft: Evaluating Trade Partners For Giroux

Tampa Bay Lightning

Tampa has used every trick in the book to be loaded for a playoff run. My favorite is the liberal use of long-term IR to wedge 90 million dollars of payroll into an 80 million dollar salary cap. Kudos to you Lightning. But the party is coming to an end in Tampa. With five players making over seven million a season next year (three over 9 million) they are already starting next year one million dollars over the cap. This team wants another cup this year and might get creative to ensure the outcome.

Flyers Targeted Prospect: RHD Jack Thompson 

Thompson looks like he could be a second pair defensemen if he continues to develop. His offensive tool set is mature, but he lacks the creativity of a high-end play maker. What is more exciting is his progression on the defensive end where he is adding a physical aspect to his game.

Up to this point his solid defensive work had been based on positioning and stick work. The addition of a physical dimension could see him become a true shutdown defensemen. Thompson’s advancement outlook has improved, but he is not quite a blue-chip prospect. Even so he looks to be a favorable upgrade to the Flyers’ bottom pair.

St. Louis Blues

The Blues are a couple of years removed from their cup run. They have endured a showdown with their super star and the loss of their franchise defensemen because of salary cap issues. While not a favorite for the cup, they have a puncher’s chance, a chance that would increase with Giroux on the roster. While not often mentioned in rumors, keep in mind that Blues coach Craig Berube did coach Giroux while coaching the Flyers. I think the Blues would love to take Giroux but may not have enough to win the bid.

Flyers Target Prospect: LHD Tyler Tucker

Tucker was a bit of a hidden gem, selected in the seventh round of the 2018 NHL Draft. The sturdy defenseman shows consistent effort each night and plays a physical and antagonistic game. As one might expect from his draft position, there are some concerns about his game. The most serious is his skating ability, speed in particular, which today grades out slightly below the NHL average.

On the plus size, he does win more than his share of puck battles and seems to have a little bit of Tom Wilson mystique to him. The opposition is forced to split their attention between Tucker and the puck.  These were the attributes the Flyers looked to Ristolainen to bring.

Boston Bruins

The Bruins are taking its last couple bites of cup contention and desperately need depth scoring.  This Bruins team will look very different in three years. Unlike some teams where Giroux can help in a variety of ways instantly, the Bruins will look for him for one thing, give them additional 5v5 scoring.

If the Bruins acquire Giroux, it is more than likely he will deliver. He will get to play with the likes of Taylor Hall and David Pastrnak, luxurious talents that he has never tasted. For the Bruins, it is a substantial upgrade over Charlie Coyle. Giroux will get the benefit of weaker matchups as opposing teams put their best out to try and stop Marchand and Bergeron.

With Giroux in the line up it will have great down line effects for the Bruins, giving them an advantage on three, if not all four, lines.

Flyers Target Prospect: RW Fabian Lysell

The Bruins have very little left in their pipe line, but right winger Fabian Lysell looks to be the best of the litter. He is an offensive dynamo, with elite speed and stick handling. His shot is not lethal, but it is deceptive and accurate. Lysell is a player with offensive upside that could help the Flyers tremendously, but he is likely at least two seasons away from an NHL roster spot, and must get stronger over the next few years.

Pittsburgh Penguins

Ron Hextall’s revenge tour could continue by helping Giroux get his first cup, for Pittsburgh. It would be extra cruel to the Flyers but Hextall knows the greatness of Giroux and that time is running out for the core of Crosby and Malkin. Giroux would give them an elite face off man and a jolt to their powerplay.

If he is moved to center, it could also give Jeff Carter a jump start. Getting a cup for Giroux may be just the motivation the Pens need for one final cup push.

Flyers Target Prospect: F Samuel Poulin

The Penguins farm system is barren and winger Samuel Poulin stands alone as the prospect most likely to see NHL action anytime soon. Poulin is a determined, bruising forward who can win puck battles and has above average offensive skills and instincts. While it is unlikely he will be a dominant scorer, Poulin will chip in offensively while playing a grinding style that hems opponents in their own end. He projects as a third liner with touch, think Michael Raffl.