In a blockbuster, high profile deal on Saturday, the Philadelphia Flyers traded forward Claude Giroux of Hearst, Ontario to the Florida Panthers with Russian center German Rubtsov, Connor Bunnaman of Guelph, Ontario, and a fifth round draft pick in the 2024 National Hockey League Entry Draft for a first round draft pick in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft, a third round draft pick in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft, and right winger Owen Tippett of Peterborough, Ontario, according to Rogers Sportsnet.
In 57 games this season, Giroux has 18 goals and 24 assists for 42 points. He is a -12 with 20 penalty minutes, 12 power play points, 154 shots on goal, 587 faceoff wins, 15 blocked shots, 48 hits, 21 takeaways and 26 giveaways.
Giroux was considered the top player in the NHL expected to be traded at the deadline. He had spent the last 15 seasons in Philadelphia, and had 291 goals and 609 assists for 900 points. In 2017-18, Giroux led the NHL with 68 assists and reached the 100-point plateau for the only time in his career, as he had 102 points. He has also represented the Flyers at seven NHL All-Star Games.
Tippett meanwhile had six goals and eight assists for 14 points with the Panthers in 2021-22. He is a +2 with 10 penalty minutes, one power-play point, 73 shots on goal, 19 faceoff wins, 12 blocked shots, 62 hits, 24 takeaways and 17 giveaways. The power-play point was a power-play assist on a goal by Sam Bennett of Holland Landing, Ontario in a 6-0 Panthers win over the Edmonton Oilers on January 20.
