Chuck Fletcher addresses Claude Giroux rumours; CEO Dave Scott rules out rebuild

The Philadelphia Flyers are currently in the midst of a 13-game losing streak and making the playoffs isn't really an option anymore. The team is expected to be sellers at the deadline, with their captain Claude Giroux likely to garner the most attention from teams.

In his mid-season press conference on Wednesday, Philadelphia Flyers General Manager Chuck Fletcher touched on a number of topics including Claude Giroux's status leading up to the trade deadline, injuries the team is dealing with, and more.

Captain Claude Giroux is an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season and it's appearing more likely that he will leave the Flyers ahead of March 21st's trade deadline.

"It will be Claude's decision," Fletcher said. "We're looking to aggressively retool here. Everything is on the table."

Fletcher: «It will be Claude's decision,» as to whether Claude Giroux is moved at the deadline.

As far as the deadline itself: «We're looking to aggressively retool here. Everything is on the table.»— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) January 26, 2022

According to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman, Giroux is expected to sit down with his agent this weekend to discuss which route he wants to take. If he does want to leave Philadelphia, one team that will likely explore the possibility of acquiring him would be the Colorado Avalanche.

"During All-Star, expect Claude Giroux to sit down with his agent (Pat Brisson) to discuss his future. I think there are Avalanche players who'd love to have him. The question is if the organization decides that's the move they need to make. The right-hand shot makes sense. But it won't be easy for Colorado to fit. That means the possibility of a third team, which raises the asset cost. There's still time for it to play out, and Giroux has control," Friedman said in his 32 Thoughts article.

"Claude and I will be spending time together within the next few weeks exploring his best options while having discussions with Chuck,'' Giroux's agent Pat Brisson told TSN's Pierre LeBrun.

Chuck Fletcher also went on to talk about two key injuries that the team has right now, defenceman Ryan Ellis and forward Sean Couturier, both of whom may require season-ending surgery. Fletcher said that he told the medical staff to focus on getting them ready for next season.

He said, "Get them right for next year. We've got a long road ahead of us."

#Flyers Chuck Fletcher says Ryan Ellis and Sean Couturier may require surgeries that end their seasons. His recommendation to medical staff, given where they are in the standings, is to «get them right for next year.»

«We've got a long road ahead of us.»— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) January 26, 2022

Also at today's press conference was Comcast Spectacor CEO Dave Scott. Scott gave a vote of confidence in General Manager Chuck Fletcher and also said that he believes this will be a quick fix, rather than a long term rebuild.

"Right now, Chuck's my guy. I feel like I'm personally surrounded by good hockey people," Scott said.

Scott also said that he doesn't see the Flyers as a "three, four, five year" rebuild, which likely means that he thinks this team could turn things around as early as next year.

Comcast Spectacor CEO Dave Scott gives Chuck Fletcher a vote of confidence: «Right now, Chuck's my guy. I feel like I'm personally surrounded by good hockey people.»— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) January 26, 2022

Comcast Spectacor Chairman & CEO Dave Scott says he doesn't see the Flyers as a "three, four, five-year" rebuild.— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) January 26, 2022

The Flyers will look to snap their 13-game losing streak when they host the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday afternoon.

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