One of the top players who could be available at the 2022 NHL trade deadline is Philadelphia Flyers center Claude Giroux.
Giroux is in the final year of his contract, but he does have a full no-movement clause, so he'll only get traded if he wants to go and approves of the destination. Will the chance to win the Stanley Cup for the first time result in Giroux leaving the Flyers after more than a decade in Philly?
A bunch of contenders could use a player of Giroux's caliber. He's still a legit top-six forward (either at center or right wing) with 40 points (17 goals, 23 assists) in 52 games.
Stay in the game with the latest updates on your beloved Boston sports teams! Sign up here for our All Access Daily newsletter.
2022 NHL trade deadline: Ranking Bruins' biggest roster needs to fix
What's the latest on Giroux with about two weeks to go until the trade deadline? Here's part Elliotte Friedman's conversation with co-host Jeff Marek on Sportsnet's "32 Thoughts" podcast posted Monday.
"I don't know about Colorado in this one. I have a feeling Colorado -- I still think they're around on this one -- but I wonder if they're looking elsewhere," Friedman said. "I think Colorado is up to something, trying to do something pretty big. I think they look at it as this is their year to go for it, and they should. Giroux would definitely be big, but I also kind of wonder if they've got some other feelers out there.
"I think Boston's probably kicked tires on this. I think the Rangers have kicked tires on this. The Rangers, I also think, are going to try something pretty big. I've believed for some time now that Florida -- if I was placing a wager, and it wouldn't be a very confident wager because I'm not sure where this is all going to go -- Florida might be that team."
Boston Bruins
(The full Giroux segment starts at the 24:15 mark in the podcast player below)
Acquiring Giroux, as we've noted before, would address one of the biggest roster weaknesses for the Bruins at second-line center. Right wing also is a need for the Bruins, and Giroux could excel in that spot, too.
The issue is Giroux likely will be very expensive to acquire, and most teams, including the Panthers, Avalanche and others, can put together a more appealing package for the Flyers than the Bruins can. Giving up premium assets for a 34-year-old rental also doesn't make a ton of sense for Boston.
The Bruins also have seen an uptick in scoring depth of late, with several of their bottom-six players producing offensively during the recent six-game road trip. Should the Bruins just stand pat and not mess up what's working right now?
It's a fascinating debate for the Bruins, who need to balance winning during whatever is left of Patrice Bergeron's career while also preserving some of their future. In regards to Giroux, it's probably best the B's find another player (preferably someone with term left on his contract) to target at the trade deadline.