Philadelphia Flyers: Claude Giroux Must Learn To Be A Bit More Selfish

The Philadelphia Flyers have their sights on returning to the playoffs in 2019. However, one player for the “Bullies” deserves to be mentioned with the best. Last season, Claude Giroux led the Flyers to a 42-26-14 record in 2018 but the season ended with a first-round playoff exit against the Pittsburgh Penguins. In the process, Giroux would compile 102 points (34 Goals, 68 Assists) which led him to finish 4th in the voting for the Hart Trophy (MVP).

But a new season offers a new opportunity to make Giroux a household name.

While the heavy favorites to win the award again are Taylor Hall (New Jersey Devils) and Nathan MacKinnon (Colorado Avalanche), the Flyers’ Captain will need to feed off his best season as a pro. With 68 assists, Giroux will need to assert himself more in terms of SOG. Last season, Giroux scored 34 goals while attempting 198 shots. In previous years, Giroux has attempted more but with fewer goals. He must learn to walk the fine line of being a leader and being selfish.

There are very few players in the NHL who have the abilities to rank in the top 10 in both Goals and Assist. While Giroux fell short in the goals department, he also didn’t take as many shouts as other players. This is what the Philadelphia Flyers must request. Just as he has done in the past, Giroux must trust himself more on the offensive end as he’s taken 240+ shots in 2011, ’14, ’15. It can be done.

Becoming a great player in this league is not easy. But players like Connor McDavid, Alex Ovechkin, and Nikita Kucherov have found a way to master the art of domination. Don’t get his numbers confused with others who sit at the bottom of the points standings. Giroux was the second in total points and that’s amazing since he ranked 97th in SOG.

If the Philadelphia Flyers are to make it back to the playoffs and challenge the Capitals, Pittsburgh Penguins, and others, Claude Giroux must become that selfish player. In any other sports, players like Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, and Lionel Messi are leaders because of their work ethic and their ability to turn that light switch on when needed. The Flyers need Giroux to stand above the rest. Not just over his Flyers’ teammates, but the NHL in general.

Mark Wilson

Mark has been covering Sports and Entertainment for the past six years. His work has been featured on Bleacher Report, ESPN, Fox Sports, Teen Vogue, and many other websites.