Giroux-Flyers reunion rumor shot down, former captain reportedly staying with Senators

Former Philadelphia Flyers captain and franchise legend Claude Giroux will be re-signing with the Ottawa Senators, according to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman.

This contradicts a previous report on Friday from The Fourth Period’s David Pagnotta that Giroux was signing a deal to return to Philadelphia. Friedman is the most reputable insider in hockey, so it’s probably safe to say Giroux’s re-signing in Ottawa is happening.

The Flyers traded Giroux in 2022 alongside German Rubtsov, Connor Bunnaman, and a fifth-round pick to the Florida Panthers for Owen Tippett, a first-round pick and a third-round pick after a 15-year tenure with the Orange and Black that saw him record 900 points (291g, 609a) in 1,000 regular season games. He remains the longest-tenured captain in Flyers history (715 games through 10 seasons) and one of the most beloved players the franchise has ever had. Giroux then departed Florida and signed with the Senators in the 2022 offseason, with whom he has played for since.

Flyers general manager Daniel Brière confirmed on July 1st that the organization had conversations regarding Giroux and John Carlson but would not go into further detail.

“We’ve had some discussions,” said Brière. “I can’t say much more than that. We’ve had some discussions. We’re looking at everything, but at the moment there’s nothing imminent.”

A reunion with the Flyers would have been a positive development for Philadelphia. Giroux’s faceoff prowess and playmaking abilities, especially on the power play, would have been welcome additions and he could have served in a depth role at even-strength and been a strong veteran leader for a young Flyers team trying to take the next step forward.

The Flyers did add forward Noel Acciari in free agency on a two-year deal and, of course, sent a massive five-year, $90 million offer sheet to Anaheim Ducks center Leo Carlsson. The Ducks have yet to match the offer sheet and Giroux’s decision possibly hinged on that deal if he truly welcomed a return to Philadelphia, but we may never know.