Claude Giroux Proves Good Fit with Panthers
Claude Giroux revealed one massive difference in his new hockey life with the Florida Panthers in a recent text to former Philadelphia Flyers teammate Scott Laughton. It included a shot of Giroux relaxing in the pool, away from the rink.
Since being dealt with Florida on March 19, Giroux has found the transition to be simple, but the forward did not waive his no-trade provision in his contract to get a head start on his offseason tan. Giroux was about the potential to play in the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time in his 15-year NHL career and win the Cup.
Giroux and the Panthers are knotted 1-1 in the Eastern Conference First Round with the Washington Capitals going into Game 3 of the best-of-seven series on Saturday at Capital One Arena (1 p.m. ET; ESPN, SN, TVAS, NBCSWA, BSFL). Giroux has spent enough time chasing the Stanley Cup to know they should treasure each postseason experience.
Claude Giroux
In 2010, the 34-year-old came close to winning it, scoring 21 points (10 goals, 11 assists) in 23 postseason games to help the Flyers reach the Stanley Cup Final before falling in six games to the Chicago Blackhawks. After then, Philadelphia had a few promising regular seasons but never made it beyond the second round of the playoffs.
The opportunity to join the Panthers came during a difficult season in which Giroux excelled. Scoring 42 points (18 goals, 24 assists) in 57 games before being trading. The Flyers plague injuries and struggled to finish 15th in the Eastern Conference, well out of the playoff picture, with 61 points (25-46-11).
With Giroux due to become an unrestricted free agent after this season. The Flyers acquired 23-year-old forward Owen Tippett, a first-round selection in the 2024 or 2025 NHL Draft. And a third-round choice in the 2023 NHL Draft in exchange for future assets. Because of his no-trade clause, Giroux had complete control over the situation, and Florida was his chosen destination.
Giroux has immediately made himself at home in South Florida. His wife Ryanne, his 2-year-old son Gavin. And their 9-month-old son Palmer arrived a week after the trade, easing the adjustment off the ice.
With unrestricted free agency coming, Giroux intends to create an impression in Florida. That will endure more than a few months. With his concentration on the playoffs and winning the Stanley Cup. He stated any thoughts about his future are “on pause.”
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