The Philadelphia Flyers traded longtime captain Claude Giroux to the Florida Panthers for prospect Owen Tippett on Saturday.
Connor Bunnaman, a fourth-round pick by the Flyers in 2016, is also going to the Panthers in the deal.
Giroux was at the centre of much trade speculation leading up to Monday’s deadline as he’s set to become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season. He played in his 1,000th game with the Flyers at home this past Thursday but did not travel with the team on their road trip to Ottawa.
The 34-year-old from Hearst, Ont., was drafted 22nd overall by the Flyers in 2006 and led to a funny moment as then-GM Bobby Clarke forgot his name at the podium. Suffice it to say, Clarke didn’t forget Giroux again as the centreman registered 900 points (291 goals and 609 assists) during his 15 seasons in Philadelphia.
Giroux made it to the Stanley Cup Final once in his tenure in Philadelphia during the 2009-10 season. He had the overtime winner in Game 3 and scored during Philadelphia’s Game 4 victory to knot up the series, however, the Flyers were unable to upend the Chicago Blackhawks and fell in six games.
He was named captain in January 2013 and wore the “C” longer than anyone else in franchise history.
Giroux played in his seventh NHL All-Star Game in February serving as the captain for the Metropolitan Division and earning MVP honours.
