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Flyers Captain Claude Giroux traded to the Florida Panthers

By Nick Butler

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - MARCH 17: Claude Giroux #28 of the Philadelphia Flyers reacts against the Nashville Predators at Wells Fargo Center on March 17, 2022 in Philadelphia, Giroux is playing in his 1,000th-career NHL game. Pennsylvania. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - MARCH 17: Claude Giroux #28 of the Philadelphia Flyers reacts against the Nashville Predators at Wells Fargo Center on March 17, 2022 in Philadelphia, Giroux is playing in his 1,000th-career NHL game. Pennsylvania. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images) /
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Well, it is official. The end of an Era has fully happened in Philadelphia. From Zack Ertz, to Ben Simmons(jk), Brad Miller(Lol) and now Claude Giroux. The longest tenured Philadelphia athlete is gone. While it is a somber and sad day, also helps the Flyers look forward to the future and allows Giroux a chance to win a cup in case he couldn’t here in Philly.

As the details have begun to emerge, it looks like forwards Connor Bunnaman and German Rubtsov will be boarding the plane with Claude Giroux to Sunrise, Florida. Bunnaman had appeared in 54 career NHL games, posting a single goal and three points overall. Rubtsov had appeared in just four NHL games, posting no points. Both are essentially contract dumps as they didn’t have much of a future in Philadelphia.

Owen Tippett is the centerpiece of the deal along with a 2023 third round pick and a 2024 first round pick. The Panthers did not have a first round pick in this year’s draft to offer. Tippett, taken 10th overall in 2017, hasn’t quite panned out just yet for Florida. He has 14 goals and 33 points in 94 career NHL goals. He has six goals and 14 points in 42 games for the Panthers this year. In 12 AHL games, Tippett has six goals and 18 points.

This is latest move by Chuck Fletcher which has ripped apart the core of this team that started with Wayne Simmonds, then Jake Voracek, Shayne Gostisbehere, and now Claude Giroux. While I still personally believe he will be back, Giroux will have his best chance while being on the early end of 30 to win a cup.

This has been nothing but a disappointment of a year. With all the acquisitions, injuries and coaching changes, it’s not a surprise with how bad this season has turned out. While the pieces are there, it just all depends on whether or not the Flyers can add in this off-season and bring Giroux back.

Overall, the Flyers will be retaining 50% of Giroux’s salary which should open the door for some more players and draft picks to come to Philly. I still expect this retool to continue and Giroux to not be the last move.

But if he doesn’t return, I highly expect Sean Couturier to be the next captain of the Philadelphia Flyers.

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