The forward has played his 15-season NHL career with the Philadelphia Flyers, including the past 10 as captain. But with the Flyers (18-30-11) last in the Metropolitan Division and Giroux in the final season of an eight-year contract, there is a chance the 34-year-old could be traded.
However, with Giroux's contract containing a no-move clause, Flyers general manager Chuck Fletcher said in January it would be Giroux's decision on whether he remains with Philadelphia after the 3 p.m. ET deadline.
"I didn't think I'd be put in the position to make a decision," Giroux said after a 4-3 overtime loss to the Montreal Canadiens on Sunday. "It's been probably the worst year since I'm here. … It's not in a position that I want to be in. Obviously, there's still some meetings and some things to talk about with the management and see what the game plan is not just for this year but for the future."
Giroux will be honored by the Flyers on Thursday before their game against the Nashville Predators, his 1,000th in the NHL. He will be the second player to reach the milestone with the Flyers, joining Bobby Clarke (1,144). Giroux is second in team history in points (900) and assists (609), also behind Clarke (852 assists, 1,210 points).
This season, Giroux is second on Philadelphia with 42 points (18 goals, 24 assists) in 56 games while averaging 19:15 of ice time, his most in three seasons. He's also won 61.1 percent of his face-offs, fourth in the NHL (minimum 200 draws).
Flyers center Sean Couturier, Giroux's teammate for his 11 NHL seasons, credited the veteran for him developing into a three-time 20-goal scorer and winner of the 2020 Selke Trophy voted as the best defensive forward in the NHL.
He said he'd like to continue sharing a locker room with Giroux but will be cheering for him no matter what uniform he's wearing.
"We'd be happy for him (if Giroux was traded)," Couturier said. "Especially me. I've been around him since I started my career. I have learned so much from him and the time and the effort he's putting into this organization. You just wish him all the best, whether it's here or somewhere else. He's a guy that definitely deserves to win at one point in his career. Wherever it is, I'll be happy for him."
