I dont think PHI moves Giroux. (you've got a 21-22 roster)

And as a UFA I think its more likely Giroux signs in PHI for 5-6mil for 3-4 years than signs in OTT, (another 20mil in career earnings). PHI has alot of good youth (Farabee, Koneckny, Provorov, Hart) now, with high end prospects arriving (Frost, Cam York, Zamula, Alison), alot of quality mid-aged 27-30 guys (ellis when healthy, laughton, couterier, sanheim) and is much closer to being a true contender in the next 1-2 years than OTT, and they have no cap issues end if/when they move JVR.

To be fair Philly has been missing their 2nd line center and top pairing defenseman all season and is 8-4-4, their biggest concerns going into 21-22 was in goal and whether ristolinen could play defense, both of those have been answered.

Does Giroux go for the 8mil in OTT as a 2nd liner or 6mil in PHI as the captain? I just dont see the money as a Giroux thing or him going to a lesser contender

Philly is nowhere close to contending not with the plan that Couts is their number 1 center. This team is a dumpster fire