After A Career Year, What Can We Expect From Flyers Captain Claude Giroux Next Year?

Coming into the season, Flyers Captain, Claude Giroux, was seen as the teams best player and number 1 center. However, after the emergence of Sean Couturier and rookie Nolan Patrick making the team out of training camp. Giroux took one for the team and accepted a move to the wing. The move to wing became apparent at the end of training camp.




But, this move didn’t come directly because of training camp. No. It was a decision that started all the way back on June 23rd when the Flyers drafted Patrick 2nd overall. When the Flyers took Patrick, it started the conversion who would be the odd man out of the Flyers centers.

Well, I think Dave Hakstol and Claude Giroux both agree he was the right decision to move to the wing.




Claude Giroux set new personal bests in almost every category the NHL tracks in his first season as the Flyers top left wing.

Giroux Stats 2017-2018

In Giroux’s career year last season, he set new bests in the following categories…

Goals, Assists, Points, + / -, 5v5 Goals, 5v5 Assists, & Faceoff %

The two that really stand out is 5v5 goals and assists. Giroux over his career has been known mainly as a power-play specialist and his stats have reflected that. Over his career, Giroux averages 30 power-play points per year. Those 30 points, are almost half of what Giroux total points average is over his career, 72 points.




However, this season, Giroux improved his game at 5v5 and it showed on more than just the stat sheets.. Giroux scored 25 of his 34 goals and had 41 of his 68 assists while at even strength.

But, the biggest difference in Giroux’s game came at the face-off circle. Over his career, Giroux averaged taking around 1,400 face-offs a season. Face-offs is one of Giroux strong points. Ranking in the top 10 of face-off % for most of his career.




However, with the move to wing, Giroux was used as a face-off specialist in times of need instead of taking 1,400 + face-offs. A key reason to his success in key situations.

Giroux took face-offs in late games situations, penalty kill situations, and an occasional first line face-off opportunity. With the lighter load, Giroux had more time to focus on his play outside of the dot. Another key to his first career 100 point season.




So, with Giroux entering his 11th career season at the age of 31, what should we expect for an encore to his career year?

Well, if Giroux plays the same way and situations as this season, nothing should change. Giroux has accepted his new role with the team as a mentor and torch passer to the next crop of Flyers great. The move to left wing was a key to Giroux’s success last year and will help Giroux over the final years of his career too.




With the lesser work load, Giroux can focus on his game as a whole now instead of worrying about the little things as a number 1 center. But, if the Flyers have injuries, Giroux will still be the same old Giroux willing to do whatever it takes to make his team better. A true showing of a Captain wanting to lead his team to victory at any cost.