As the Flyers prepare to come out of their long winter break due to COVID outbreaks across the NHL, it gives us the chance to reflect on their season thus far and what it means for the future of the franchise. After a breakout 2019-20 season, the Flyers looked like they were on the verge of becoming one of the league’s top teams for years to come with many solid pieces in place. But that has not come to fruition over the past season and a half and the Flyers are going to be faced with some serious questions moving forward.
One date that every Flyers fan should keep an eye on is March 21st – the NHL trade deadline. Like every year, it’s a date to watch to see whether the Flyers will be buyers or sellers but this season’s is especially important. The franchise has seemingly become stuck in mediocrity once again and it may be time for a serious rebuild.
Of course, the focus will turn to Claude Giroux who could net the Flyers a big return to start a rebuild and send Giroux to a Cup contender as he has just one year left on his contract. Giroux is beginning to find himself atop many Flyers’ records and needs just 28 games to surpass 1,000 games played in the Orange and Black. If he stays healthy, he can reach that mark before the trade deadline. Could that be one final thing to check off the list to further solidify his spot in the Flyers’ Hall of Fame? It will depend on if the Flyers can turn this season around.
Even with their long losing streak, the Flyers remain just four points behind the Red Wings for the final Wild Card spot. Is it realistic to expect them to go deep into the playoffs? Likely not but even just a glimpse of hope could mean that Chuck Fletcher will keep the core together and make another push to become a contender next offseason.
As for where Giroux will end up and how much the Flyers could get in return, Giroux could end up with any contender and has been rumored as a target for the Rangers. Giroux has a no-movement clause and would have to approve a trade to any team. As an impending unrestricted free agent, a return for the Flyers’ captain may not be large as Giroux would be seen as a rental but a first-round pick and a prospect could be enough to pull the trigger on a deal.
Any move of Giroux would likely signal a full-on rebuild for the Flyers as fellow impending unrestricted free agents Rasmus Ristolainen, Keith Yandle, and Martin Jones along with James van Riemsdyk who has one year remaining could all be used to acquire resources for a rebuild.
There is still plenty of time for the Flyers to make a run at the playoffs as they are just four points out of the second wild-card spot with 53 games remaining but a major shift in the Flyers’ performance will be needed to show that they are a serious contender. Whether that happens, remains to be seen but if not, a rebuild and a farewell to Claude Giroux might be in the cards.
Featured Image: Chase Agnello-Dean/NHLI
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