Did we expect to discuss Claude Giroux’s future during the 2021-22 season? Of course. He entered the campaign as a pending UFA and was about to sign an eight-year deal with an AAV of $8.275 million. He was the longest-serving captain in Philadelphia Flyers history, but was 33 at the start of the season and well past his prime. Speculation as to whether the Flyers would give him another big cap hit was natural. Thus, there has been speculation as to whether he would sign with the Ottawa Senators in the summer of 2022, as he calls Ottawa home.

But did any of us expect to talk about a mid-season move from Claude Giroux? A rental sale for a terrible soon-to-be conversion team? Most forecasters were predicting a year of recovery for the Flyers, especially after taking on defenseman Ryan Ellis and right winger Cam Atkinson in the offseason. The Flyers still had a blueliner in Ivan Provorov who anchored the franchise, Sean Couturier an elite two-way center, and a rising top scorer in Joel Farabee.

But here we are at the end of January and… the Flyers have lost 13 straight games, a franchise record. If they lose on Saturday, they will be without a win for the whole month. Earlier this week, Comcast Spectacor chairman and CEO Dave Scott said he would give GM Chuck Fletcher a “blank check” to flip the franchise. Will that require trading Giroux, 34? Fletcher said this week the decision will be up to Giroux. He has a full no-movement clause in his contract. But he’s yet to win a Stanley Cup and hasn’t played in a final since 2009/10, so there’s a good chance he’s ready for a new adventure. Competing teams count on it.

Which teams are the best fit for a Giroux acquisition? Consider these five.

CALGARY FLAMES

The Flames’ share of .590 points is the highest since winning the 2018-19 Pacific Division. Purchasing Darryl Sutter Hockey ranks them in the top three in the NHL in shot attempts, shots on goal, and scoring chances per 60 at 5-on-5. That’s exactly the footprint that Sutter’s LA Kings championship teams used to leave.

Sutter teams control possession and play superior defense, but often struggle with completion. Case in point: The Flames rank 21st in 5v5 throwing percentage and a good, but not great, 11th in power play efficiency. They’ve also cooled off in the table lately, losing six of their last ten games. Left winger Johnny Gaudreau’s resurgent season shows us that a finesse player can actually thrive in Sutter’s system, and Calgary needs another to improve their team-wide scoring touch and give their shooters a higher percentage appearance.

So Giroux would fit into that plan. There’s a nice breakdown of his game in this article by Joshua Serafini, indicating Giroux remains a solid above-average play driver despite his age and despite playing in a struggling, ailing Flyers roster. Not only could Giroux fill any forward position with the Flames, but he would also assume a leadership role in a team that lost longtime captain Mark Giordano to Seattle’s expansion draft last year.

The only thing holding Calgary back on trade talks may be its ability to put together an attractive package for Giroux. The Flames don’t have a particularly deep farm harvest at the moment. Trading with a first rounder and/or a good prospect like Jakob Pelletier or Connor Zary would not be trading at a surplus.

COLORADO AVALANCHE

Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman has selected Colorado as a viewing destination for Giroux this week and it makes a lot of sense. From Giroux’s point of view, there is no better place to land if he wants to chase a Stanley Cup. The Avs could use him as a second-line left winger and put assistant defensive back Valeri Nichushkin back on a more probing line, or they could use Giroux as a third-line center and let him drive his own line.

General Manager Joe Sakic has completed the Pledge Some Futures in the Name of a Cup Chase phase. He sacrificed a first-rounder and 2022 defenseman Conor Timmins to bring in goaltender Darcy Kuemper from the Arizona Coyotes last summer. Colorado’s potential pool remains deep enough to tempt Philadelphia. The Avs used a first-round pick in nine straight drafts before trading the 2022 pick, and that means they’ve amassed some tradable potential capital, whether it’s Martin Kaut, Justin Barron, or an established NHLer like Tyson Jost.

MINNESOTA WILD

Of the teams on this list, the Savages probably have the least appeal of chasing a trophy from Giroux’s perspective. But they are a great team and arguably the best team from a hockey perspective. Ryan Hartman has been a revelation as their No. 1 center this season, and Joel Eriksson Ek plays a crucial two-way role, but they can do better than Frederick Gaudreau as center six.

Given that Giroux would be on loan, the Flyers couldn’t ask for mega prospects like Matt Boldy or Marco Rossi in return. This is a non-starter. But the Savages could afford to send an election and a second-rate prospect to Philly in the manner of Calen Addison.

TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING

When you’re chasing a three-pointer as a Stanley Cup winner, there’s no turning back. The Lightnings are out of 2022 draft picks in Rounds 2-4, so why not stab the first round pick who’ll be in the late 20s or low 30s anyway?

Giroux would be a nice pick-me-up for a Lightning team that lost its entire third line of Blake Coleman, Yanni Gourde and Barclay Goodrow last offseason. Giroux’s versatility, which includes the ability of the elite faceoff, would make him a handy weapon to move into the top nine. The Lightning have a track record of using forwards who can play multiple positions.

What are you saying? The Lightning can’t fit Giroux under the cap? Oh, that’s adorable. At this point, I’m convinced the Lightning would find a way to fit Steph Curry under the canopy.

TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS

The Leafs continue to thrive with their $40+ million forward quartet of Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, John Tavares and William Nylander. They have the seventh offense in the league and the best power play. But the core gets top-heavy every season, and Toronto’s lack of depth continues to be problematic in the postseason.

With Zach Hyman gone to Edmonton, Toronto’s left wing could use a boost. Ilya Mikheyev has gotten off to a hot start but has yet to finish in his career so there is a risk of regression. Giroux as a second row left winger would increase the overall talent level of the top six, although by centering the third row he would make the Leafs far more dangerous. Stanley Cup champions these days consistently roll three lines that can serve as scorers. Giroux could be a transformative piece in Toronto’s championship dream.

The Leafs and GM Kyle Dubas might be reluctant to sacrifice the prospecting and picking capital after using it to acquire Jake Muzzin in 2019 and Nick Foligno in 2021, but this season is likely the last dance for Dubas, if Toronto wins none or more playoff rounds. Toronto has the right tier of B-level prospects to land a Giroux guy. If not from the season of Nick Robertson/Rodion Amirov, then maybe someone like Matthew Knies or Nick Abruzzese.