It’s hard to make a bigger impact as a trade deadline addition than Claude Giroux did for the Florida Panthers, registering 23 points in 18 games down the stretch and adding another eight in ten playoff matches. The veteran forward has proven he can still hang with elite offensive players even as he enters his mid-thirties, and should he reach free agency, there might be a few new ones trying to convince him to come north.
The Edmonton Oilers, reports Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic, are “lurking” and hope to have a chance to sign the veteran forward if he fails to reach an extension with Florida. It also likely would only be possible if the Oilers can’t re-sign Evander Kane, though, with his uncertain future tied to a grievance hearing that is still unscheduled, Edmonton may be forced to make a tough decision on that front.
Giroux, 34, recorded 900 points over a 1,000-game career with the Philadelphia Flyers before heading to Sunrise this year and has long been an elite play-driving forward. With the versatility to play both center and wing, the idea of pairing him with Connor McDavid or Leon Draisaitl (or both) will certainly be exciting for Oilers fans.
Still, a multi-year contract for a player of his age comes with plenty of risks, even if he did play well this season. The Oilers can’t afford to hand out deals that end up backfiring, as they look to capitalize on the elite play of McDavid and Draisaitl over the next few years. A player like Giroux might help them get closer to contention but if his game takes a step back, it could prove costly.
Why would any GM overpay an aging veteran? Because of the pandemic money Is scarce and the cap Is flat, This would be a player I’d stay away from. Younger, Faster, Bigger, Better.
Because Claude Giroux is better than 95% of the younger, faster and bigger players available.
SuperSinker, why are you using logic and reasoning and facts? Not everyone understands those things.
Is Giroux better than 95% of them in 4 or 5 years?
Almost certainly not, which is why I’d never offer Giroux more than a three year deal. Everyone declines, sooner or later. (Granted, I’d lose out to the GM that offers him five+ years, and someone will.)
But how many GMs are going to be fired before five years comes around? Giroux is an elite star NOW, and he isn’t declining very much.
I wonder what it would take to get mcdavid to the kings. Kings have arguably the best prospect pool in league. I’m high on byfield but I’d include him to get mcdavid
Kempe mcdavid fiala
Arvidson kopitar lafallo
That’s a nasty top 2 lines. In a year kopitar comes off books and you could slot Danault back in. Only real weakness is a goalie situation. Quick is old and peterson sucks
Yeah buddy, Gretzky trade 2.0 isn’t happening
Your name fits perfectly.
Why hate? Funny how people can’t freely talk about players. Oilers are a trash franchise
It will never happen, Maybe Draisaitl?
didn’t they beat the kings….. oh I get it now
I think it’s fair to say that most franchises go through a barren period historically.
As an Oilers fan we’ve clearly had some gifts fall in our lap ie Gretzky and McDavid, we’ve had some incredulous blunders Yakupov, 19th and 33rd for Griffin Reinhardt which turned out to be Barzal+
But remind me again who just beat whom? Who has more Cups? More MVPs, etc, etc, etc
Pipe down LA fanboy, I got a lot of respect for the Kings franchise brilliant job in retooling, some of the best jerseys in the game and arguably some of our most devastating defeats have been at your hands
But let’s call a spade a spade we’re the higher ceiling of the 2 franchises right now, and we’ve had the greater history, now run along and enjoy your gorgeous weather
If Giroux is willing to go to Edmonton. That’s a big if. He was very picky when choosing where he would be traded to. He had a chance to go to Colorado, but insisted on going to Florida. He may not want to move his young family to Edmonton.
I don’t think he insisted, his preferred destination was Colorado. I don’t think they wanted to give up much to get him.
Actually, Colorado made a better offer than Florida, but Giroux elected to not waive his NMC. At the end, he would only go to Florida. Colorado then pivoted and traded for Lehkonen. That worked out well for them
No state taxes in FL is a big draw
Girioux – I’d pay for him. Four years in the right situation.
He could go to the Caps, Avs, Stars, or Bruins! I don’t think Fla will have the room.