Chuck Fletcher is at Giroux's mercy
PUBLICATION
O. EngMarch 18, 2022 (12:32)
In his latest article for Crossing Broad, Flyers insider Anthony SanFilippo details the negotiations between the Flyers and the last two teams standing in the Giroux sweepstakes.
First things first, we know that Giroux won't be traveling with the team to Ottawa to face the Sens. SanFilippo says that his sources confirm that the deal WILL be with the Panthers. A matter of if and not when.
«The Flyers sent special assistant to the GM Danny Brière to Colorado a couple weeks ago to take in an Avalanche game as well as a Colorado Eagles (AHL) game to scout some potential prospects. Two of the names that came up from chats with sources at that time, Colorado has since moved elsewhere � Defensive prospect Drew Helleson and NHL forward Tyson Jost.»
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For the Avs, insiders like Pierre LeBrun believe they are still in the running but with the recent acquisition of Josh Manson and departure of Tyson Jost, the trade prospects with them don't feel viable.
«One Flyers source originally told me the Flyers were looking at forward Owen Tippett and were also interested in the injured forward Grigori Denisenko.»
Since the Ben Chiarot deal however, GM Fletcher may look to upgrade from Denisenko to 19-year-old prospect Mackie Samoskevich, a Florida 2021 first rounder.
Although Brière extensively scouted the Avs, it looks as though Giroux's ultimate preference is the Panthers.
«Again, from what I've been told, Giroux doesn't feel like he's as good a fit in Colorado as he is in Florida. Which is why he wants to go South and not West. There's a belief that he'd be buried in the Colorado lineup because of all the talent that already exists there However, with the injury to Gabriel Landeskog, the Avalanche could use Giroux on the top line and also on the top power play But what happens when Landeskog can return? That's the same question Giroux is asking.»
SanFilippo has identified what the speculated initial offer made by the Avalanche was. According to his sources, that the offer made by the Avs was a 2023 first round pick and prospect Justin Barron.
"I had heard from outside both organizations that offer was a 2023 first round pick and defensive prospect Justin Barron...Maybe the reason Chuck hasn't committed to Florida yet, or said no to Colorado yet, is because he thinks Colorado's offer is better than Florida's."
If this is true, the 2023 first rounder is the prize possession. The draft class of 2023 is deeper than this year's in general. Also, Justin Barron was drafted 25th overall in 2020 by the team. In the AHL this season, he has 5 goals and 20 points in 41 games.
Samoskevich on the other hand is still in the NCAA but is putting up impressive numbers for a first year. He looks more like a traditional replacement for Giroux as right winger who can play center. He fits an organizational need up front while Owen Tippett is more than a point per game in the AHL. Honestly, the offer from Colorado is better should the pick not be top ten protected. But if otherwise, I prefer Samoskevich over Barron.
The Flyers already have York, Ristolainen, Ellis, Provorov etc.
And even if the Avalanche could have more to offer than the Panthers, Giroux has a no-move clause. If he dearly wanted, he could actually refuse all trades. Chuck Fletcher and the Flyers must realize that waiving the clause in order to win but also allowing the team to recuperate assets is a big favor. Fletcher's hands are tied and has to make everyone happy. Florida may be his only choice.
Credit: Crossing Broad
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