Malkin is scary.. literally and figuratively
- jak521

Agreed!

He's a Lemieux/Jägr hybrid

I don't think anyone, myself included is expecting Giroux to reach a Selke level. But there is a lot of room for improvement in Giroux's overall defensive game. And offense is not a valid excuse.
- MJL

Im not saying G is the best but one of the best and Im also not saying he is gonna win a selke, Im saying he is a complete, all-around player. The guy can do it all at a high level. If he was the sixe of Lindros he would be crushing players with huge hits as well.

Agreed. I'd say his defensive game is (at times) more than adequate. But there are times where it's really lacking. A little more attention to it, and he'll be fine.
- jmatchett383

Exactly... I dont ever expect him to be the defensively dominant center that Bergeron or Towes are. I do expect him to improve though.

Giroux is not better than Stamkos or Malkin. Don't be ridiculous.

G can do a lot of good things on a consistent basis, but he is nowhere near the skill level of Malkin, nor has the scoring prowess of Stamkos.
- KGBflyers10

Idk about that. I'd say G is more skilled than Malkin. Malkin just has more physical tools. To think what G could do with even another 2 inches and 20 pounds would be scary.

With the heavy ES and PP ice time Giroux gets, his PK time should be cut back. PK minutes are the hardest minutes on a player.

One of the main reasons the Flyers lean heavily on Giroux on the PK is because he's very solid at the dot. A key reason to have role players like Hall on the team.

With the heavy ES and PP ice time Giroux gets, his PK time should be cut back. PK minutes are the hardest minutes on a player.

One of the main reasons the Flyers lean heavily on Giroux on the PK is because he's very solid at the dot. A key reason to have role players like Hall on the team.
- PLindbergh31

Yes! Signing Hall was a great move! Great role player!

Giroux's 5 on 5 defense could definitely use improvement. It was no rarity to see him lose his man in the defensive zone. As for Voracek taking a bit of a step back defensively, I don't see any problem in stating that. His offensive jump more than made up for it, of course.

So wait... its not fair to judge him off of last season, but is only fair to judge him off of his season best two years ago? come on dude... Im judging him based on his career. He has one season where he score over a ppg. Its not like G has gone off and put up three seasons of 90+ points. He was excellent two seasons ago.. played his ass off. But, if you take of those shades you got on, you might see that there is DEFINITE room for improvement in his game.
- jak521

He had 76 points in 82 games on the 3rd line, 93 points on the 1st, and 48 in 48 last season with different linemates all season, how about his awesome playoff numbers?

Does Malkin and Stamkos play the PK, win faceoffs, Check? Hell no!!! They are offensive studs and thats all they are. You like the glamour and I like a player that can do it all.
- GOA88

Last time I checked Malkin wins faceoffs and checks...

Idk about that. I'd say G is more skilled than Malkin. Malkin just has more physical tools. To think what G could do with even another 2 inches and 20 pounds would be scary.
- JFlyers00

I don't care how many tools you have if you can't use them as well. If there's a guy who's the best stickhandler in the world but can't skate, his skill isn't as good as a slightly worse stickhandler who can. Malkin is the most dominating offensive player in the game. I don't see any way around that.

I agree, I wont use the "violation" term since I hate that monkey Anthony Gargano. But I do not like that any Philly sports money can be used to prop up the Devils in any way.
- MBFlyerfan

That team is now dead to me...

Yes! Signing Hall was a great move! Great role player!
- puckhead17

Good teams need players like Hall. I like the mix the roster has. The main concerns are goaltending (when isn't it?) and team health.

Good teams need players like Hall. I like the mix the roster has. The main concerns are goaltending (when isn't it?) and team health (when isn't it?).
- PLindbergh31

ftfy

Im not saying G is the best but one of the best and Im also not saying he is gonna win a selke, Im saying he is a complete, all-around player. The guy can do it all at a high level. If he was the sixe of Lindros he would be crushing players with huge hits as well.
- GOA88

I understand you like the player, but you also gotta see that he has his faults.. There are a slew of players that I take over him, but the emotional connection would probably stop me in my tracks.

Here is my honest take of Giroux... G is one of the best competitors in all of hockey. His offensive prowess is elite, however he is a pass first player and that will always affect his goal totals. Giroux has the ability to take over games by being offensively dominant. He is a special teams dream as well. His even strength defense however is slighty above average on a good day. He has a tendency to over commit to the puck, lose track in his zone or of a player, and rush out of the zone early. When he wants to, he can be very strong along the boards, and can actually throw pretty big hits (for a smaller player). The latter part comes with the competitors edge. He plays a very physical game (again considering his size), which may suggest he is often stronger defensively than he actually is (for some reason physical play and defensive plays can be misconstrued as being synonymous).

Giroux is in the upper echelon of forwards.. but has room to be even better.

Does Malkin and Stamkos play the PK, win faceoffs, Check? Hell no!!! They are offensive studs and thats all they are. You like the glamour and I like a player that can do it all.
- GOA88

I can assure that both Malkin and Stamkos can do it all, and they would do it just as well as Giroux if not better. Just because they don't play in those situations doesn't mean they're terrible at it.

Also, Malkin is a center so yes, he does win faceoffs.

Last time I checked Malkin wins faceoffs and checks...
- JAKEw1234

Last I checked players like Malkin, Jagr, Ovechkin are nothing but Offensive players and are dreadful on defense. Offense alone does not make you the best player. There really isnt any arguing that. Peter Forsberg was once known as the best player in the league. He never won a selke, he never won a scoring race, in fact he never scored over 30 goals a game. Forsberg is like a bigger Giroux. Giroux has been compared to Forsberg quite a bit. I agree

He had 76 points in 82 games on the 3rd line, 93 points on the 1st, and 48 in 48 last season with different linemates all season, how about his awesome playoff numbers?
- GOA88

Just for the record... that whole "3rd line bit" that has been used before, and debunked before, is a crock of poop. He led all forwards in ice time the year he put up 76 points.

Im not saying G is the best but one of the best and Im also not saying he is gonna win a selke, Im saying he is a complete, all-around player. The guy can do it all at a high level. If he was the sixe of Lindros he would be crushing players with huge hits as well.
- GOA88

That's just not the case. He does not play defensively at a high level. That is a weakness in his game to this point.

With the heavy ES and PP ice time Giroux gets, his PK time should be cut back. PK minutes are the hardest minutes on a player.

One of the main reasons the Flyers lean heavily on Giroux on the PK is because he's very solid at the dot. A key reason to have role players like Hall on the team.
- PLindbergh31

I think we have an excess of players who can play the PK, which isnt a bad thing. Giroux, Lecavalier, Read, Talbot, (if resigned) Gagne, Couturier, (if he makes the team) Laughton, Hall, and as weird as it would seem, Rinaldo said he's been dying to get on the PK

Good teams need players like Hall. I like the mix the roster has. The main concerns are goaltending (when isn't it?) and team health.
- PLindbergh31

I agree with u again, I don't think Mason is any worse then what Bryzgalov did here, but is Emery the answer again?

I wish we had one solid answer to the position finally

With the heavy ES and PP ice time Giroux gets, his PK time should be cut back. PK minutes are the hardest minutes on a player.

One of the main reasons the Flyers lean heavily on Giroux on the PK is because he's very solid at the dot. A key reason to have role players like Hall on the team.
- PLindbergh31

I agree 100%. I also don't want Giroux blocking shots at the point on the PK.

ftfy
- BulliesPhan87

Yup. I didn't want to be redundant.

I can assure that both Malkin and Stamkos can do it all, and they would do it just as well as Giroux if not better. Just because they don't play in those situations doesn't mean they're terrible at it.

Also, Malkin is a center so yes, he does win faceoffs.
- KGBflyers10

Malkin and Stamkos both are under 50% for their career average, Thats a losing number. So check your logic please. They dont play PK cause they cant!!!

Last I checked players like Malkin, Jagr, Ovechkin are nothing but Offensive players and are dreadful on defense. Offense alone does not make you the best player. There really isnt any arguing that. Peter Forsberg was once known as the best player in the league. He never won a selke, he never won a scoring race, in fact he never scored over 30 goals a game. Forsberg is like a bigger Giroux. Giroux has been compared to Forsberg quite a bit. I agree
- GOA88

To be fair to him, scoring 30 goals a game would be pretty difficult...

Just for the record... that whole "3rd line bit" that has been used before, and debunked before, is a crock of poop. He led all forwards in ice time the year he put up 76 points.
- jak521

Cause he plays the PK, GET WITH IT