Welcome back to another edition of Flyers Roster Outlook!
Our beloved Captain and first line center Claude Giroux is first on our list! Giroux was selected 22nd Overall in the 2006 NHL Draft by the one and only Philadelphia Flyers. We all remember his draft day with GM Bobby Clarke. If you don't, here a link to that video:
After my Outlook on Shayne Gostisbehere, I am going to try something different. Each Roster Outlook, I will ask three different questions. The first two questions will be the different but the third will always be the same for each Roster Outlook. Basically at the end of each article I will ask the question: "How much longer can we see_________ on the Flyers." Let's get started!
Overview
Name: Claude Giroux
Position: 1st line, Center
Drafted:2006, 1st Round, 22nd Overall by the Philadelphia Flyers
# of years on the Flyers: 9 years
#1 How has Giroux affected the Flyers?
Giroux affected the Flyers? If Claude Giroux wasn’t drafted by the Flyers, I think this team would be lost without him. Giroux has had a HUGE affect on the roster, and I mean huge! Yes, his play has been going downhill lately but he is the leading the team in points every year. Let’s take a look at his points over the 9 years (Technically 8 years since he only played two games in the NHL during the 07-08 season).
2008-09: 27 points
2009-10: 47 points
2010-11: 76 points
2011-12: 93 points
2012-13: 48 points
2013-14: 86 points
2014-15: 73 points
2015-16: 67 points
Alright, now you see what I mean. His play has gone down hill after the shortened 12-13 season, but he is still the key piece to bring the Cup back to Philly. The only problem is that Giroux is already 28 years old and is in his prime right now. The Flyers need to step up or Giroux is going to have to pull a Jagr and play until he is 45 if he wants to captain this team to the Cup. He did regress this season by only scoring 58 points in 82 games. He did have hip surgery in the summer. That might be the reason why he regressed but Giroux denied that when asked.
#2 Why has it affected the Flyers?
Why is this even a question? What would you say if I asked “How has your best player affected your team?” You would probably say the same thing as I did. The only problem with Giroux’s game, he doesn’t have stable wingers. Over the past couple of years he has Voracek or Simmonds on right wing. Then he has Brayden Schenn or Michael Raffl on left wing.
As of today right wing is solid with either Voracek or Simmonds but then there is a weak left side. One year the Flyers tried the Raffl-Giroux-Voracek line and that seemed to work, then they tried it again next year. That’s when the first line fell flat on their face. Now we have the Schenn-Giroux-Simmonds line this year. It worked real well at the end of last year, but will it have to the same production for a full season? Hopefully.
Overall, Giroux’s play has affected the Flyers in a big way. Without him the offense would not be the same. Our first line center would probably be Sean Couturier and he isn’t ready to take on that role yet. Right now Coots is perfect 2nd liner and in the future I can see him becoming like Patrice Bergeron and taking on the 1st line role as a two-way center. I’m getting off topic again. What I’m trying to say is: Without Giroux the Flyers would be lost.
#3 How much longer can we see Claude Giroux with the Flyers?
Who makes these questions? Oh yeah that’s right I do. Seriously though, why do I even need to ask this question about the him? Giroux is signed up until 2022, where he will be 34 years old. He has a No Move Clause, leading point scorer every year and the Captain of the team. Yeah and I’m asking this question.
I can’t see the Flyers letting Giroux walk away in 2022. If his play is still constant and still captain of the team, I can see him getting at least a one or two year deal. Travis Konecny will start the year on 2nd line with Coots and Voracek, but expect him to move to 1st line left wing in the future. He could be the left wing the Flyer have been looking for. Imagine this as a first line: Konecny-Giroux-Voracek, now that is a line to be afraid of.
