Will 2022 NHL-All Star Weekend Mark Giroux’s Flyers Swan Song?

Claude Giroux did his best to duck inquiries about his hockey future at the NHL’s All-Star Media Day on Friday.

Claude Giroux, on what the March 21 trade deadline might bring for him: "A lot of time left. That's all I have for you."

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  Jim Biringer and Chris Wassel discuss the results of the NHL Draft […]

— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) February 4, 2022

The 34-year-old is making his seventh-career All-Star appearance, repping the Orange and Black. Will it be his last?

Giroux, the All Star

As captain of the Flyers, Giroux is currently in the last season of an eight-year contract that carries a cap hit of $8.275 million. After a $1 million bonus payout last summer, his real salary is $4 million this season.

Since he was drafted by Philadelphia in the first round back in 2006, Giroux has made $80 million with the club — before all the usual deductions for escrow, agent fees, taxes and such, of course.

Now sitting at 985 career games played, Giroux has climbed near the top of Philadelphia’s club record book in several categories. He sits second behind Bobby Clarke in total games, assists (605), points (893) — and All-Star Game appearances.

Claude Giroux is set to make his seventh #NHLAllStar appearance, the second most in @NHLFlyers history behind Bobby Clarke (8).#NHLStats: https://t.co/pdsjApvQRu pic.twitter.com/EhSu2hR4xf

— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) February 4, 2022

After fan-voted Metropolitan Division captain Alex Ovechkin entered Covid protocol earlier this week, Giroux has been appointed as the group’s new captain.

With New York Rangers defenseman Adam Fox also sidelined due to injury, here’s how the Metro Division roster will shake out for Saturday’s 3-on-3 All-Star Tournament, which airs on ABC at 3 p.m. ET.

• Sebastian Aho, Carolina Hurricanes
• Claude Giroux, Philadelphia Flyers
• Jake Guentzel, Pittsburgh Penguins
• Jack Hughes, New Jersey Devils
• Evgeny Kuznetsov, Washington Capitals
• Chris Kreider, New York Rangers
• Adam Pelech, New York Islanders
• Zach Werenski, Columbus Blue Jackets
• Frederik Andersen, Carolina Hurricanes
• Tristan Jarry, Pittsburgh Penguins

Giroux is also one of eight players who will take part in one of the showcase events of Friday’s Skills Competition — the Fountain Faceoff at the Bellagio Hotel.

The event was pre-taped on Thursday. Here’s a sneak peek at the eye-popping setting:

A sneak peek at the brand-new @Discover NHL Fountain Face-Off. 👀 Who's excited?

Tune in TONIGHT on @espn & @Sportsnet at 7:30p ET! ⏰ #NHLAllStar pic.twitter.com/VrNBL9fVtN

— NHL (@NHL) February 4, 2022

Giroux’s Fountain Faceoff competition:

• Jonathan Huberdeau, FLA
• Jordan Eberle, SEA
• Jocelyne Lamoureux-Davidson
• Roman Josi, NSH
• Nick Suzuki, MTL
• Zach Werenski, CBJ
• Mark Stone, VGK

Giroux, the Impending Free Agent

Giroux is now in his 15th season with the Flyers, matching Clarke’s run from 1969-1984. Clarke, still a senior advisor with the organization, never wore another jersey and retired a Flyer. He also captained the club to those legendary Stanley Cup wins in 1974 and 1975.

Giroux’s best playoff run came early in his career, when the Flyers made a surprise run to the 2010 Stanley Cup Final before falling to Patrick Kane and the Chicago Blackhawks. At age 32, Danny Briere carried the torch, leading all players with 30 points in the postseason. Mike Richards finished second on Philadelphia with 23 points, while 22-year-old Giroux and 26-year-old phenom Ville Leino tied for third with 21 points each.

After that magical run, Briere spent three more seasons in Philadelphia before moving on to Montreal and Colorado, then retiring in 2015. Now eyeing a career in management, Briere has recently started getting more involved with the Flyers front office in his role as team consultant. His name was in the mix for the vacant Montreal Canadiens’ GM position earlier this year.

In 2011, Richards was traded to the Los Angeles Kings and Leino signed a big-ticket deal with the Buffalo Sabres as an unrestricted free agent. Giroux stayed on, moving into a veteran role as the years went by and helping to guide the development of new prospects like Sean Couturier, Ivan Provorov, Travis Konecny, Joel Farabee and Carter Hart.

This year, Giroux has had a little more company in the 30-plus club. The Flyers’ offseason additions included fellow veterans Keith Yandle, Derick Brassard, Cam Atkinson and Martin Jones.

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Changing Of The Guard?

Considering all the challenges they’ve faced this season, the Flyers have come into the All-Star Break on a comparatively high note, following wins over the Los Angeles Kings and Winnipeg Jets. But with a 15-22-8 record through 45 games and a grim .422 points percentage, they’re a whopping 17 points out of the second wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference, and carry the fifth-worst goal differential in the league (-29).

Even in his elder statesman role, Giroux has done his bit this season. With 15 goals and 35 points, he’s second on the team in both categories, behind Cam Atkinson (17-19-36). His 11 power-play points are tops on the team. And whether he’s playing center or wing, he continues to crush it in the face-off circle. With a 60.9% success rate, he’s breathing the same rarified air as fellow veterans Patrice Bergeron and John Tavares.

That skillset will be coveted by Stanley Cup contenders. Giroux’s name has already been linked to clubs like the Colorado Avalanche and the Calgary Flames.

.@NHLFlyers Claude Giroux with his family as they headed to Las Vegas for the All-Star weekend. He is in a competition Friday at the Bellagio Fountains. Photo: Zack Hill. pic.twitter.com/uyxHn0yP9s

— Sam Carchidi (@BroadStBull) February 4, 2022

With his wife Ryanne and young son Gavin accompanying him to Vegas this weekend, Giroux is expected to sit down with his agent, Pat Brisson, to discuss whether or not he’ll choose to waive his no-movement clause before March 21, for a chance to chase a championship.

For now, all fans can do is wait and see.

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