Owen Tippett

On Sunday afternoon, the Owen Tippett era of Philadelphia Flyers hockey officially came to South Broad. But who is the red-headed right shot from Ontario?

No, probably not, but frankly, he doesn’t have to be. Is that elite production? A player can be the face of a franchise one day, a performer being celebrated for his 1,000th game in the same, and the next day – literally – he can be in Florida with a younger yet still redheaded winger taking his place on the depth chart.

The Florida Panthers won the Claude Giroux trade sweepstakes, snatching in from the Flyers for a package highlighted by Owen Tippett.

Maybe this trade package is the best the Flyers could get for Giroux, yet it’s going to leave bad tastes in a lot of mouths. Also, Giroux is a rental, stripping another level of leverage. For all the Maple Leafs’ struggles, they’re a dangerous team (especially if they get better goaltending or trade for an upgrade). The Lightning amped up their three-peat by burning through first-rounders much like the Panthers. Don’t count out the Bruins, either, who aggressively added Hampus Lindholm. Literally no flaws to speak of, and with a handsome head of red hair to boot.pic.twitter.com/Kb5KS9SHSA Among other strengths, Giroux continues the pattern of the Panthers adding forwards who can plug into a variety of lineup situations. The Panthers already boast a historic offense.

Claude Giroux was drafted by the Philadelphia Flyers in 2006 and for the first time since that time, he will not be a member of the Flyers organization.

As always with a Barry Trotz coached team the Islanders will be physical and tough to play against on the back end. It will be interesting to watch the rest of the season and see who will step up the challenge and become the new face of the franchise. His ability to hold on to possession in tight quarters and patience when searching of the right pass combine to make him one of the most fun players to watch in the league. It is not certain where he will slot into the lineup but the former 10th overall pick will have all eyes in the Wells Fargo Center on him when he steps on the ice. Flyers fan and players alike will be looking for someone to step up and fill the huge void left in the lineup. Nonetheless, the Flyers will have to be much better today if they want any chance of coming away with a victory.