NHL Rumors: Latest on Claude Giroux Trade from Flyers

The Philadelphia Flyers are expected to trade veteran captain Claude Giroux before the March 21 trade deadline but don't expect a deal anytime soon. While Giroux was in Las Vegas at the all-star game he admitted there's still tons of time and there's a certain date he may have circled on his calendar.

Hockey insider Frank Seravalli made a great point during his dive into what the Flyers may be up to before the trade deadline and pointed out the fact on March 17 the Flyers take on the Nashville Predators in what will be Giroux's 1000th game in the NHL.

Claude Giroux is projected to play in his 1,000th game as a Flyer on March 17 against Nashville, which would provide the perfect bow for the captain to cap his career in Philadelphia ahead of the March 21 deadline. Giroux holds the cards with a full no-move, and though he’s done just about everything the Flyers could have asked, it seems like a longshot that he’d be back after this disastrous season. He may be the best pure rental player available at the deadline and will command a pretty package.

So far the Calgary Flames and Colorado Avalanche are two teams with heavy interest and like Seravalli mentions, Giroux holds all the cards and it will be up to him. Darkhorse teams to consider who may reach out to the Flyers to garner his interest also include the New York Rangers and Carolina Hurricanes. The Predators were one team to watch previously as they are comfortable in a playoff spot with tons of cap space, but general manager David Poile recently mentioned he doesn't think his team will be busy prior to the deadline. The Flyers on the other hand, their phones are ringing off the hook and will continue to leading up to March 21. Where does Giroux end up? Let us know in the comments.