Flyers captain Claude Giroux reportedly nixes trade to Bruins
The Bruins will not win the Claude Giroux sweepstakes.
At least that’s the latest word out of Philly, with Giroux reportedly bound for Florida after using his no-movement clause to block potential trades to Boston and New York, according to CrossingBroad.com’s Anthony SanFilippo.
The Flyers were considering offers from four teams - Florida, Colorado, Boston and the New York Rangers.
— Anthony SanFilippo (@AntSanPhilly) March 18, 2022
It is believed that Giroux nixed offers to New York and Boston.
The report on Giroux comes following the Flyer captain’s 1,000th game with the organization, and amid reports that Giroux did not accompany the team on their flight out of Philadelphia in anticipation of a trade. It’s been reported that the centerpiece of the deal from the Philly point of view will be Owen Tippett, as Tippett was pulled from the lineup ahead of puck drop ahead of his game in the AHL on Thursday night. Tippett, the 10th overall pick from the 2017 NHL Draft, has six goals and 18 points in 12 AHL games this year, and has totaled 14 goals and 33 points in 94 career NHL games with the Panthers.
A Giroux-to-Florida deal would only strengthen a juggernaut Panthers squad that’s currently atop the Eastern Conference at 41-14-6 on the season. It would also continue what’s been a busy shopping season for the Panthers, as the team also swung a deal for then-Canadiens defenseman Ben Chiarot on Wednesday evening.
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It is worth noting, however, that the Colorado Avalanche, another team that’s been hot on the Giroux trail from the jump, do not believe that they are out of the running for Giroux, according to multiple reports.
As for Giroux passing on the Bruins, it’s certainly the most notable B’s snub since Jarome Iginla decided to pass on a move to the Bruins to go to Pittsburgh ahead of the 2013 trade deadline.
This definitely isn’t that bad — the Bruins were under the impression that the Iginla-to-Boston deal was ‘done’ before the last-minute change from Iginla — and it does make sense given how Giroux has felt about his seemingly inevitable move away from the only NHL franchise he’s ever known. Given how much the Flyers have meant to him, he’s pretty much made it clear that if he’s to leave Philadelphia, it’s going to be to go a legitimate Stanley Cup contender. Passing on the Bruins (and Rangers), but being open to teams like the Panthers and Avalanche would only confirm that.
It doesn’t sting any less for the Bruins though, all things considered.
At 34, Giroux can still play at a supremely high level, with 18 goals and 42 points through 57 games. He’s also been perhaps the league’s second-most dominant faceoff option this year, second to only the Bruins’ Patrice Bergeron. Factor that in, along with Giroux’s ability to play right wing, and he was the perfect fit for the Bruins in oh so many ways.
But with Giroux reportedly off the board for them, and Tomas Hertl off the board by way of his extension in San Jos, the Bruins will instead have to focus on the trade market’s other options at center this deadline, such as Winnipeg’s Andrew Copp.
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Ty Anderson is a writer and columnist for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Yell at him on Twitter: @_TyAnderson.
