Florida Panthers welcome Flyers Captain Claude Giroux — TIM NWACHUKWU/GETTY
The Florida Panthers have officially acquired Claude Giroux from the Philadelphia Flyers. TSN’s Chris Johnson added that Owen Tippett is part of the same package that is going back to Philly. The Flyers will also receive a 2024 first-round pick from the Panthers, which is top-10 protected. They are also said to receive a 2023 third-round pick.
In addition to Giroux, the Panthers will also receive forward Connor Bunnaman through Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, as well as forward German Rubtsov and the Flyers’ 2024 fifth-round pick, adds LeBrun.
With the trade finally happening, Giroux’s distinguished career on Broad Street has come to an end, and so has the sweepstakes for one of the most coveted deadline rentals in recent times.
In Giroux, the Panthers acquire an amazingly versatile player, and another star to add to their group. The 34-year-old player has shown that he can produce strong offensive numbers while playing a 200-foot game, excelling on both the penalty-kill and powerplay, and is widely regarded as one of the best faceoff men in the league. Currently, Giroux sits at 900 career points in an even 1,000 career games, including 24 points and 18 goals in 57 games for the Flyers this season.
In short, the Panthers just got the total package.
“He’s a top faceoff guy in the league, and he’s a right-handed shot, and he kills penalties, and he’s a power-play guy,” Zito said with an ever-growing grin. “We’re checking boxes off as we go through. Where other teams may be looking to acquire a few players, we’re getting it all in one.”
While it was hard to say goodbye to the City of Brotherly Love, the chance to win a Stanley Cup has lit a spark in Giroux. Currently leading the Atlantic Division with a record of 42-14-6, the Panthers don’t only want to get to the playoffs but are also set to make some major noise.
Of those 42 wins, three were against the Flyers.
“It was pretty annoying to play the Panthers,” Giroux chuckled. “To be on their side now, it’s definitely very exciting. I had a chance to talk with [interim head coach Andrew Brunette] today, and it got me even more excited. I met a few guys. It’s a lot of emotions. It’s kind of weird, but I couldn’t be more excited.”
About halfway through his introductory press conference at FLA Live Arena, Giroux had to pause when he realized how much he was using the word “excited” in his answers.
“I keep repeating myself,” he said, prompting a laugh from the gathered media.
Can you blame him?
Looking at the roster, Giroux feels the “team looks great right now,”, especially with the amount of high-end talent sitting at the top with players like Jonathan Huberdeau, Aleksander Barkov, Sam Reinhart, and Aaron Ekblad, to name a few.
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Chris began his writing as a hobby while attending Florida Southern College in Lakeland, Florida. Today he and his wife live in the Orlando area with their three children and dog.
