Claude Giroux to discuss trade deadline options with Flyers

The Philadelphia Flyers fell to 15-24-9 on the season via Tuesday's overtime loss to the rival Pittsburgh Penguins. It was thought even before the All-Star break that Philadelphia could be sellers ahead of the March 21 trade deadline, and captain Claude Giroux is in the final campaign of his contract and, thus, is a candidate to be sent elsewhere at some point over the next month. 

Flyers general manager Chuck Fletcher made it clear in January that Giroux, who has a no-movement clause attached to his deal, would make the final decision on his future, and the 34-year-old said back on Feb. 4 there was "a lot of time left" before the deadline amid reports he was going to speak with his agent during the All-Star break about a possible trade. 

According to Adam Kimelman of the league's website, the veteran, who has spent all 15 of his NHL seasons with the Flyers, admitted Wednesday he plans to meet with Fletcher soon about what seems to be an inevitable transaction. 

"I haven't had a chance to talk to Chuck," Giroux explained. "We have a lot of things to talk about, what's best for the Flyers organization, what's best for me, and we'll just go from there."

As noted by Hockey-Reference, Giroux is second in Flyers history behind only Bobby Clarke with 988 games played, 606 career assists, and 895 points. 

"The organization here has been great to me the last 14 years," Giroux added about the Flyers. "They've treated me the right way. I've had the chance to play with a lot of great players, had a lot of great coaches. It's an honor to have been a Flyer this long."

Philadelphia welcomes the Washington Capitals (27-15-9) to town on Thursday evening.