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As March 21st continues to approach that means the NHL Trade Deadline is looming closer and closer. The Philadelphia Flyers have some tough decisions to make with their UFA players and who they decide to trade or re-sign. Amongst those decisions the most difficult going forward will be what happens with the longest tenured Captain in franchise history Claude Giroux.
Though Giroux has stated he has not yet spoken to General Manager Chuck Fletcher regarding the waiving of his no movement clause. It has been confirmed by TSN Insider Pierre Lebrun on this past Tuesday’s edition of TSN’s Insider Trading, that Giroux has spoken with his agent Pat Brisson. Essentially, Brisson has been given the go ahead to begin talking to potential suitors and put together a list of teams with Giroux, that the veteran would be willing to go to in a trade. From that point, Chuck Fletcher would then have a list of teams to work with in relation to facilitating a trade for the all-time franchise great.
It was also reported by journalist Adrian Dater that the Colorado Avalanche are the team Giroux would prefer to be traded to however, if that is not possible the St Louis Blues or Minnesota Wild would be acceptable alternatives. In addition to this, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman mentioned on the Jeff Marek show earlier in the week that Florida will likely be in the mix to land Giroux and could be another viable destination for the All-Star MVP.
Out of these four teams mentioned above, what could a plausible and realistic trade for Claude Giroux look like?
Let’s examine what a Giroux trade to his rumored preferred team of choice the Colorado Avalanche could involve in terms of the return coming back:
Colorado’s Pieces In Play:
Alex Newhook (Center):
The promising Center prospect currently has 10 goals and 7 assists in 38 games so far this season. Newhook is an explosive skater who uses his speed and agility to blow past defenders and create scoring opportunities for himself and his teammates surrounding him. He also has quite an accurate shot with a very quick release and is comfortable shooting the puck at his top skating speed which gives opposing defenses and goaltenders a lot of trouble. The Avalanche have stated they are not looking to part with Newhook, but in order to add a valuable playoff piece such as Claude Giroux you have to give to get. If the Flyers do end up landing Newhook, look for a first round draft pick to not be included due to how highly regarded the prospect is by the Avalanche.
Here’s what I believe a Newhook trade could look like.
To Philadelphia: Alex Newhook, Tyson Jost, 2022 5th Round Pick.
To Colorado: Claude Giroux
Bowen Byram (Left Defenseman):
Byram is the total package you’d want in a young defender. He has elite skating ability, and is a great puck handler while also possessing the capability to make an accurate first pass out of the defensive zone. Along with this, the defenseman has a high hockey IQ, which allows him to take away lanes from opposing players through an active gap control. As well as, having a quick and active stick. Byram looks to be a future top pairing defenseman in the NHL. Though his injury troubles have been concerning and could be a reason why the Avalanche are willing to part with Byram. Making Byram the centerpiece in a Giroux trade would allow the team to add a valuable commodity such as Giroux without having to subtract from their current roster. Also, the Flyers targeting a highly touted prospect such as Byram may result in the draft capital being given up to likely be lesser than 1st round pick.
Here’s what I think a Byram trade could look like:
To Philadelphia: Bowen Byram, Tyson Jost, 2023 3rd round pick.
To Colorado: Claude Giroux
Drew Helleson (Right Defenseman)
Helleson is a former 2019, 2nd round pick of the Avalanche who is currently playing in the NCAA with Boston College and also just represented the US Men’s Olympic Team in Beijing. Helleson’s impressive 6’3 frame is one of his best assets as it has allowed the defenseman to play a physical high compete type of game. The young defender also has great hockey sense and is an efficient skater as well. His biggest asset though is the ability to shut down top players on the opposition through his physicality and top end positioning.
Justin Barron (Right Defenseman):
Barron was the Avalanche’s 1st round pick in 2020. The young defender has a top notch outlet pass skill set, in terms of his puck handling to evade oncoming forecheckers and make stretch passes. He also is a wonderful puck carrier and typically tries to carry the puck up the ice to begin an offensive rush if the opportunity arises. Barron along with these other skills, has a big shot and routinely uses his point shot to create scoring opportunities for himself and his teammates. Ultimately, a player like Barron would be an interesting prospect to target for the Flyers as it would fill a need for a dynamic defenseman on the backend. A package including Barron would likely be one that requires other top end assets to be given up by the Avalanche for Claude Giroux.
Sampo Ranta (Left Winger):
Ranta was a 3rd round pick of the Avalanche in 2018. The young forward prospect’s two attributes that make him an attractive piece for the Flyers to target are his size at 6’2, 200 pounds and his heavy shot. The knock on Ranta has always been his skating ability however, this aspect of his game has improved significantly over the past few seasons. Ranta will likely be a prospect included in a trade for Claude Giroux if the Flyers look to receive a larger package of picks and prospects from the Avalanche. Likely meaning an Alex Newhook/Bowen Byram type prospect would be off the table.
More Potential Deals:
- To Philadelphia: Justin Barron, Tyson Jost, 2023 1st Round Pick
To Colorado: Claude Giroux
- To Philadelphia: Drew Helleson, Sampo Ranta, 2023 1st Round Pick, 2023 2nd Round Pick
To Colorado: Claude Giroux
- To Philadelphia: Tyson Jost, Drew Helleson, 2023 1 Round Pick, 2023 2nd Round Pick
To Colorado: Claude Giroux
- To Philadelphia: Tyson Jost, Drew Helleson, Sampo Ranta, 2023 2nd Round Pick
To Colorado: Claude Giroux
Next up let’s take a look at some prospects that could be in play if Claude Giroux were to be traded to the Minnesota Wild and what the trades may look like.
Minnesota’s Pieces In Play
Marco Rossi (Center):
Rossi is a high end Center prospect who was drafted 9th overall by the Minnesota Wild in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft. In his first full AHL season so far the highly skilled prospect has notched 14 goals and 24 assists for 38 points in 36 games with the Iowa Wild which is quite impressive. The young forward’s most valuable asset is his hockey sense and ability to get into open areas of the ice persistently to create scoring chances for himself and his linemates. Rossi has great passing touch, as well as, vision which allows him to see plays develop on the ice very quickly and anticipate plays that can be created in the offensive zone. The high end skill is there with Rossi both offensively and in terms of his reliability defensively in helping out his defenseman with great positioning in the defensive zone. The most intriguing facet of Rossi’s game that would make him a great prospect for the Flyers to target is his innate playmaking ability and finding open space in high danger scoring areas.
Here’s what I believe a trade package with Rossi as the main asset coming back could look like:
To Philadelphia: Marco Rossi, 2022 1st Round pick
To Minnesota: Claude Giroux, Morgan Frost
Calen Addison (Right Defenseman):
Addison was selected in the 2nd round of the NHL Entry Draft by the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2018 and later packaged in a deal to the Minnesota Wild for Jason Zucker. Addison is an intriguing prospect for the Flyers to target if Giroux does end up being traded to the Wild. This is the case due to his offensive upside as his puck handling, passing ability and vision on the ice in terms of finding open teammates both in the offensive zone and through stretch passes in the neutral zone is elite. To add on, Addison also possesses the talent to quarterback a Power-Play due to his ability to control the pace of the game while the puck is on his stick. The knock on Addison and where the jury is still out, is the young defender’s slight frame and the question marks surrounding his defensive game and in zone coverage. Despite this though, Addison has put up 3 goals and 14 assists for 17 points in 23 games for the Iowa Wild and 2 goals and an assist for 3 points in 9 games with the Minnesota Wild so far this season. These are impressive numbers for the defender and just showcases that he is offensively gifted.
Here’s what I believe a trade package with Addison as the main asset coming back could look like:
To Philadelphia: Calen Addison, 2022 1st Round Pick, 2023 2nd Round Pick, Viktor Rask (for salary cap purposes, pending UFA who’s been on waivers multiple times this season)
To Minnesota: Claude Giroux
Another team in the mix to acquire Claude Giroux is the St. Louis Blues. Here are some of the prospects that could be in play if Giroux were traded to the Blues and what the return coming back to the Flyers could be.
St. Louis’s Pieces In Play
Jake Neighbours (Left Winger):
Neighbours was drafted by the Blues 26th overall in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft. The young Winger currently has 14 goals and 26 assists for 40 points in 25 games in the WHL this season, playing for the Edmonton Oil Kings. The most impressive asset within Neighbours’ skillset is his explosive skating. The winger is often able to win races to loose pucks and get into the offensive zone first while forechecking due to this. Additionally, his speed allows him to attack defenders on the rush and make quick turns to fly by them when entering the opposition’s zone. Neighbours is also a wonderful puck possession player and uses his 6 foot, 200 pound frame to his advantage in terms of shielding the puck down low, extending plays and then finding teammates in the slot for scoring opportunities. A few other plus attributes to Neighbours’ game is his quick wrist shot release and his stick positioning defensively. As well as, the overall willingness to work in the defensive zone and support his defenders with board battles and reliable positioning habits.
Here’s what I believe a trade package with Neighbours as the main asset coming back could look like:
To Philadelphia: Jake Neighbours, 2022 1st Round Pick, 2023 3rd Round Pick
To St. Louis : Claude Giroux
Klim Kostin (Center/Winger):
Kostin has a large frame which is an asset at 6 foot 4, 212 pounds. The Center was drafted at 31st Overall in the 1st Round of the 2017 NHL Entry Draft. The most interesting facet of Kostin’s game is his ability to drive to the net off the rush with some speed. Along with his overall puck possession and protection skills. The rangy forward plays a powerful game, as he is strong on the puck and very tough to contain while driving the net. There are frustrations to be had when analyzing Kostin’s game in relation to his consistency level. Some nights the young forward looks like one of the most dominant players on the ice for the Blues while at other times he seems to be a non-factor.
Zach Bolduc (Center):
Bolduc was drafted in last year’s NHL Entry Draft, 17th overall in the 1st Round. In 35 games this season while playing for the Quebec Remparts of the QMJHL the Center has posted 21 goals and 27 assists for 48 points. Bolduc has quickness to his game when he hits his top speed, but his first step acceleration still does need some improvement. Though, his edgework and agility are top notch and allow him to shift his positioning in the offensive to create shooting and open passing lanes, which also speaks to the Center’s high hockey IQ. The young forward’s key plus attribute would be his shot. As Bolduc has a tremendous release, shot velocity and accuracy in terms of his wrist shot, snap shot and slap shot. Another element of his game is the propensity to shoot the puck from everywhere and anywhere on the ice.
To Philadelphia: Zach Bolduc, Klim Kostin, 2022 1st Round Pick
To St. Louis : Claude Giroux
The last team that reportedly has interest in trading for Claude Giroux and would be willing to part with some top assets is the Florida Panthers. Below are some prospects that have the potential to be involved in a trade for the Flyers Captain and what those trades might project to look like.
Florida’s Pieces In Play
Grigori Denisenko (Left Winger):
Denisenko was drafted 15th overall by the Panthers in the 1st round of the 2018 NHL Entry Draft. So far this season the young winger has 9 goals and 9 assists for 18 points in 30 games with the Charlotte Checkers in the AHL. Denisenko is a dynamic playmaking forward who can open up the ice for his teammates and create scoring opportunities for them with his passing, puck handling ability and vision on the ice. He also displays high level skill and creativity with the puck on his stick. Another plus attribute present in Denisenko’s game is his elite skating and agility that allows him to burst past defenders into the offensive zone and position himself for high danger scoring chances.
To Philadelphia: Grigori Denisenko, 2023 1st Round Pick, 2022 3rd Round Pick
To Florida : Claude Giroux
Matthew Samoskevich (Center):
Samoskevich was selected 24th overall in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft. The talented Center prospect has posted 7 goals and 16 assists to date in 31 games playing for the University of Michigan this season. The creativity in Samoskevich’s game is off the charts, which also goes hand in hand with his high level hockey IQ. The forward’s playmaking ability and puck handling skills often allow him to dangle defenders and use the surrounding space on the ice to put himself and teammates into scoring positions. Along with this, Samoskevich seems to constantly be ahead of his opponents throughout the flow of play on the ice. While having an awareness of where his teammates are on the ice in order to set them up for scoring opportunities. This can be attributed to the high level hockey sense the Center possesses.
To Philadelphia: Matthew Samoskevich, 2023 1st Round Pick, 2023 3rd Round Pick
To Florida : Claude Giroux
Owen Tippett (Right Winger):
Tippet is a special case as he is an NHL regular at this point and no longer a prospect. He was selected in the 1st round of the 2017 NHL Entry Draft at 10th overall. So far the winger has not lived up to expectations in Florida. This season Tippett has 6 goals and 8 assists for 14 points in 42 games. Overall, in his NHL career to date Tippet has a total of 14 goals and 19 assists for 33 points in 94 games. Tippett’s skating ability is one of his greatest assets as the winger is a tremendous skater that is very speedy and has great acceleration. Coupling this with having a hard and heavy shot Tippett has the high end skill set to be a difference maker and a scorer in the NHL. Though the forward has yet to put his game together and perform at the level initially expected by the Panthers at this point in his career, the player is still very early into being an NHL mainstay. A change of scenery and fresh opportunity with more playing time may be just what the forward needs to finally have his breakout NHL season. According to Sportsnet’s Jeff Marek, Tippett has been made available by the Florida Panthers and is a player they would be willing to part with if the right deal happened to present itself.
To Philadelphia: Owen Tippett, 2023 1st Round Pick, 2023 2nd Round Pick
To Florida : Claude Giroux
Final Thoughts:
Claude Giroux is likely going to be the most sought after available player that can be pursued at the NHL Trade Deadline for a playoff contender. As a result, there should be a considerable amount of interest from multiple teams when it comes to trying to acquire Giroux. With Giroux’s versatility being able to play wing and center, his scoring touch, playmaking ability, faceoff prowess, defensive acumen and the fact he is still a point a game player, the Flyers should receive some great value for their Captain. It’s evident Giroux is still a high end NHL performer, ensuring the Philadelphia Flyers are due to receive quite a trade package for the veteran. This will most certainly include a range of high end picks and prospects that will help in bolstering the Flyers talent level.
It remains to be seen how many teams Giroux may ultimately be willing to waive his no movement clause for and be traded to. Consequently, for the Flyers sake the more teams Giroux is open to going to the better for Chuck Fletcher and his staff. As it will maximize the value in a return they’ll receive for the franchise great. This is due to the bidding war that may proceed to occur between teams looking to acquire Giroux. One thing that’s certain is the Flyers and their staff need to do whatever they can to recoup high end assets in a trade that sends Giroux out of Philadelphia. Infusing some much needed young dynamic talent into the organization, is something the Philadelphia Flyers desperately need.
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