Reasons why the Caps could make sense for Giroux, even though they are not a top tier contender:
1) He's not going to get any closer to his home in Philly than D.C. He has a young child now. It's a plus.
2) Laviolette loves him and I think the feeling is mutual.
3) We'll see what happens over the summer, but he doesn't quite seem to have his heart in the idea of ending his time as a Flyer. He seems to have really wanted to play his whole career in Philly and may just be looking to re-sign in the summer after a dice roll playoff run somewhere else. I don't know how much the destination ultimately matters, is the point.
Why it could make sense for the Flyers:
1) A Caps' first round pick is the most attractive single piece that's likely to be offered by anyone.
As a Flyers fan whose favorite player has been Giroux since he broke into the league, I don't know quite what to wish for anymore. That he goes to a competent organization and wins a Stanley Cup, and then re-signs there and wins one or two more? Or has a run somewhere else but then re-signs with this bullshit team out of a misplaced sense of loyalty, but at least I get to see him back in Philly.