Philadelphia Flyers captain Claude Giroux will not be in the lineup for the team's final two games before Monday's NHL trade deadline, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reports.
Giroux was feted by the Flyers faithful Thursday night, when he skated in his 1,000th — and likely final game — with the team. The Flyers play at Ottawa Friday night and host the New York Islanders Sunday afternoon.
As @AntSanPhilly reported last night, he did not go to OTT with team. If not done by Sunday, he won’t play vs NYI either. All eyes on FLA, but COL has not given up. I think it will be Panthers, but, as I write this, Panthers have not made an offer that has PHI saying yes.
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) March 18, 2022
Giroux, 34, is an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season. The Florida Panthers and Colorado Avalanche are believed to be the front runners to acquire him as a rental for the playoff push.
The Flyers beat the Predators 5-4 in overtime Thursday on an emotional night at Wells Fargo Center. The night began with the team presenting Giroux with a silver stick, a Rolex from his teammates and a crystal from the NHL ahead of his 1,000th game. After Joel Farabee scored the game-winner, the Flyers players mobbed Giroux in celebration and he took a solo lap around the rink to a standing ovation from the crowd.
