Giroux Mentioned as Part of Massive Potential Flyers and Panthers Trade

According to Sportsnet’s Jeff Marek on Saturday, the Philadelphia Flyers and Florida Panthers might be working on something and could be two teams to watch as the NHL Trade Deadline approaches. The big name worth mentioning is Claude Giroux, but the trade would be much bigger than just one player.

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Marek notes during the latest 32 Thoughts segment on Hockey Night in Canada that the Flyers have been scouting Panthers AHL affiliate organization the Charlotte Checkers and the belief is that Philadelphia is looking at Owen Tippett. He notes:

“And interesting, Yesterday, Chuck Fletcher, general manager of the Philadelphia Flyers, alongside Daniel Briere, Dean Lombardi, Bill Barber, all taking in the Lehigh Valley/Charlotte game. Why is that interesting? Because Charlotte is the AHL affiliate for the Florida Panthers. We’ve talked before about how Claude Giroux may end up, at the end of this, as a Florida Panther.”

Tippett’s name has been out there as someone the Panthers might be willing to move to add the piece they need to make a run this season. He hasn’t exactly been the most consistent prospect this season and there’s a bit of doubt he’ll be what many hoped he’d be when drafted 10th overall in 2017. That said, he’s got a high ceiling as a prospect and has started to up his production of late. Tippett has 14 goals and 33 points in 94 career NHL games.

Important to note, Tippett is also in the age range of future players the Flyers might be interested in. At 23 years old, he’s on the cusp of cracking an NHL roster and could make an impact sooner than later for a team that trades for him.

What Other Pieces Would Be In the Trade?

Tippett would be part of a package for Giroux if this trade materializes. If the Flyers are looking for a high draft pick along with Tippett and perhaps another prospect, there might be something to the speculation. From there, it’s a matter of Giroux letting the Flyers know Florida would be an acceptable destination for a trade.

Would the Panthers include another prospect like Justin Sourdif, Gregori Denisenko, and Evan Nause in the deal to make it work? Florida certainly won’t be the only team interested in what could be the biggest name moved this season.

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