Is the Door Still Open on Claude Giroux to Edmonton?

Not so fast on Claude Giroux heading back to Philadelphia. Elliotte Friedman is throwing a note of caution on reports that the reunion is already done, and it turns out there’s a very plausible reason the Flyers haven’t been able to close it out yet.

“Saw reports that Claude Giroux was going back to Philadelphia,” Friedman wrote. “Not disputing anyone, just no confirmation as of Friday night.” He added a simple but pointed explanation for the delay: “The Flyers were… a little busy.”

That’s not a throwaway line. Philadelphia spent Friday in the middle of one of the more dramatic stories of the offseason, tendering a five-year, $18 million AAV offer sheet to Anaheim’s Leo Carlsson — a move that consumed the front office’s attention and, quite possibly, has put a pause on them doing other business or signing anyone.

And if they land Carlsson, it could change the status of any other players they’ve been interested in up to this point.

The speculation is that Flyers GM Daniel Briere may have simply asked Giroux for a couple of extra days to let the Carlsson situation play out before finalizing anything — not because the Flyers have cooled on bringing Giroux back, but because there was a much bigger fire to tend to first.

That leaves the door cracked open elsewhere.

Friedman noted he believes Edmonton was genuinely among the teams interested in Giroux and he’s looked at them. If Philadelphia’s business is delayed long enough, or complicated by whatever happens with the Carlsson offer sheet over the next seven days, there’s at least a scenario in which Edmonton re-enters the conversation in a real way.

Friedman also floated an interesting alternative for Edmonton, regardless of how the Giroux situation resolves: Vladimir Tarasenko. He noted that a handful of teams have circled back to check in on the veteran winger now that the initial rush of free agency has settled down, suggesting the Oilers could be canvassing more than one name at forward as they round out the roster.

Nothing here contradicts the idea that Giroux ultimately ends up in Philadelphia — that remains the most likely outcome. But “most likely” isn’t “confirmed,” and with the Flyers distracted by a much bigger swing this week, there’s more uncertainty in this situation than the initial reports suggested.

Next: Maple Leafs Sign Emil Andrae: Next Moves to Get Under the Salary Cap