Could Flyers captain Claude Giroux be headed to the Rocky Mountains?

The Philadelphia Flyers are among the NHL's most disappointing squads this season, having suffered through not one but two separate 10+ game losing streaks. As it currently stands now, they're a whopping 17 points out of the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, and could be making several moves with an eye on the future as the NHL Trade Deadline approaches. 

Of course, the speculation that continues to grow is regarding the status of captain Claude Giroux, a pending unrestricted free-agent.

“Long time left. That’s all I have to tell you right now,” Giroux stated to the media during All-Star Weekend. “There’s a lot of hockey left. I know the playoffs, for us, it’s going to be a long-shot where we’re at, but I’ve seen crazier things."

“For us, it’s to keep getting better as a team and just keep racking up the wins as we get bodies back healthy — guys like Sean Couturier and Kevin Hayes and (Joel) Farabee, hopefully Ryan Ellis. If those guys all come back, hopefully we can get back on track.”

According to NHL Rumors Daily, the high flying Colorado Avalanche could be a fit for Giroux, though he'd need to waive his No Trade Clause in order to facilitate a deal to the Mile High City. 

At 34 years of age, Giroux isn't getting any younger, and the Flyers aren't going to be contending for the Stanley Cup any time soon. The team may decide to do right by their captain, who is climbing the ranks as one of the greatest players in franchise history, in order to give him a shot at the elusive championship that the City of Brotherly Love hasn't enjoyed since 1975. 

Needless to say, the Avalanche would have to part with a hefty haul in order to acquire Giroux as they gear up for another playoff run. There's really no way the Flyers would accept anything less than Colorado's 1st overall selection in this year's NHL Draft, along with one or more highly touted prospects in return. 

The NHL Trade Deadline falls on March 21 this year - will Giroux still be wearing the orange and black when it's all said and done?