Talk about putting G back at center is dumb, the man is playing his best hockey he has in a few years and putting up points like has not done in 3-4 years. why would you want to mess with that?
Two things about that I don't understand:
1. Are his points more important than the overall depth of the Flyers?
2. Why are we talking about his longevity at age 29 (30 in a month)? Isn't the guy they're using at center in place of him soon to be 34?
I guarantee if he wasn't hampered by the injury last year people wouldn't be talking about his longevity. There will come a time to move him to wing...it isn't right now - YuenglingJagr
I think they just love the Giroux-Couturier combo.
I wish they would put Raffl with Patrick to support him in the possession game, rather than just cut his minutes. Put Weise or Weal at 2LW and let Voracek carry him and Filppula.
You're just naming prospects that have played center at some point in their life. Cooper Marody is supposed to solidify the team at center for the future? Patrick isn't even allowed to play in the 3rd period.
Moving Giroux to wing because of center prospects is about the worst excuse that can be made (besides him being ugly because he is still dreamy) - YuenglingJagr
I'm okay with G on the wing, esoecially right now where he's been pretty effective. But when secondary scoring is a struggle for an extended time, I think it's definitely an option to move him to second or first line center to shake things up and look for chemistry somewhere. I don't get that vibe out of Hak right now, and on that front I'm with you.
Is it something I'm gonna raise hell over? Nah. I have other, more pressing issues with Hak right now. I'm sure you do too and I trust they're similar to mine.
You're just naming prospects that have played center at some point in their life. Cooper Marody is supposed to solidify the team at center for the future? Patrick isn't even allowed to play in the 3rd period.
Moving Giroux to wing because of center prospects is about the worst excuse that can be made (besides him being ugly because he is still dreamy) - YuenglingJagr
So what's your argument...Giroux needs to play center to make this team effective?
Because really I am lost at what your arguing. Not being a Richard. Just confused where you are going with this argument.
So you're saying you think him playing center now will deteriorate his body in some way that will prevent him from playing wing effectively in the last 1-3 years on his deal?
Point totals going down is a very normal thing in the NHL. There is a prime for a reason. I would also argue the players he was playing with mattered a lot in those stats. Beside his inability to move like he normally does last year, he was still an effective player and one of the Flyers' best. Center is the more important position and where the Flyers should be focusing on being better. - YuenglingJagr
I don't think it would kill them to have Giroux line up at center when the matchups dictate it.
The whole "he's a center, he's a wing" debate is a little silly for a guy like Giroux. He has shown he can do both at a high level.
He makes $8 million dollars per year. Are we saving him in bubble wrap for a future occasion or something? Maybe we should put plastic wrap on him like my aunt's couch?
Location: I like cold beverages, NJ Joined: 04.09.2008
Dec 7 @ 9:31 AM ET
I still can't believe the Devils took Zacha over him. I literally leaped for joy when they passed over Provy.
The wide consensus was Provorov was a legit number 1 D prospect while Zacha was more of a boom or bust type. How you go with Zacha knowing your rival will be running to the podium to get a number 1 D man is just bizarre to me. - hereticpride
After the last 20 years i was surprised to see the Devils go offense over defense.
Could you imagine the Devils having ANOTHER #1 d-man, as in Stevens and Niedermayer from years past, to torment us Flyers fans with for the next 10 - 15 years!!!
You're just naming prospects that have played center at some point in their life. Cooper Marody is supposed to solidify the team at center for the future? Patrick isn't even allowed to play in the 3rd period.
Moving Giroux to wing because of center prospects is about the worst excuse that can be made (besides him being ugly because he is still dreamy) - YuenglingJagr
No that's wrong. Looking at the future is what it is all about so projecting who the Flyers have potentially playing center in the future is a legitimate part of the conversation.
As I've said in the past, I agree that right now, playing Giroux at center makes the Flyers a better team now. My focus and I think the Flyers focus is on the future rather than a move now that might make them a playoff bubble team. The future far outweighs now.
I was serious about the first question...longevity to me meant "the amount of time he was still a top scorer"
If you meant the tax on his body, I think that is the most realistic reason, but I still believe it is only talked about because of how ineffective he was last year due to the injury - YuenglingJagr
No chance at all that all the hard minutes and wear and tear contributed to the physical issues?
Location: Be nice from now on, NJ Joined: 03.17.2006
Dec 7 @ 9:34 AM ET
I was serious about the first question...longevity to me meant "the amount of time he was still a top scorer"
If you meant the tax on his body, I think that is the most realistic reason, but I still believe it is only talked about because of how ineffective he was last year due to the injury - YuenglingJagr
I think playing center over the past 4 seasons has already deteriorated his body. I think the team saw that and decided that it would be in both Giroux and the team's best interest to move him over. The fact that Giroux seems to have flourished in the role tells me it was a good decision. It has also allowed Shutdown Seanie to flourish. Two birds with one stone so to speak.
A small guy like Giroux, even with all his talent, can only take so much punishment. Maybe the team saw what happen to Mike Richards and how fast he declined at the age of 28-29-30. Both of them are of similar stature. I am just guessing there.
But I think this move will allow him to stay more more healthy and productive for longer.
So what's your argument...Giroux needs to play center to make this team effective?
Because really I am lost at what your arguing. Not being a Richard. Just confused where you are going with this argument. - J35Bacher
The team lacks center depth and has suffered from it. Giroux shooting 21% and the top line scoring a bunch of points doesn't hide that for me.
It is the same argument to me as the Chris Vandevelde argument. The best players should play. Give your best players the biggest responsibility. The center depth was an issue last year and at a time where I thought it could begin to become a strength it became weaker.
Location: Be nice from now on, NJ Joined: 03.17.2006
Dec 7 @ 9:40 AM ET
The team lacks center depth and has suffered from it. Giroux shooting 21% and the top line scoring a bunch of points doesn't hide that for me.
It is the same argument to me as the Chris Vandevelde argument. The best players should play. Give your best players the biggest responsibility. The center depth was an issue last year and at a time where I thought it could begin to become a strength it became weaker. - YuenglingJagr
I honestly don't think the team sees it as a big issue. They know this team is going nowhere this season. I agree with the team that the best place for him now is on the wing. Move him back to center and what, they finish as the 9th seed instead of the 11th?
Can really see now why Hextall preferred signing Elliott over re-signing Mason. Not only has his play been solid, but this guy is all about the team and never about himself. This is the attitude you want from your starting goalie. I also thought he played very well in each of the last 2 games, but I am a little concerned with him starting his 3rd game in 4 nights. - BiggE
dude - can't start Lyon with an opportunity to get to ".500" on the line
I think playing center over the past 4 seasons has already deteriorated his body. I think the team saw that and decided that it would be in both Giroux and the team's best interest to move him over. The fact that Giroux seems to have flourished in the role tells me it was a good decision. It has also allowed Shutdown Seanie to flourish. Two birds with one stone so to speak.
A small guy like Giroux, even with all his talent, can only take so much punishment. Maybe the team saw what happen to Mike Richards and how fast he declined at the age of 28-29-30. Both of them are of similar stature. I am just guessing there.
But I think this move will allow him to stay more more healthy and productive for longer. - MBFlyerfan
Yeah, I mean I don't know either. It makes sense and is certainly a reasonable argument. Everyone is different so it is tough to compare, but I just don't really see enough evidence across the league to say Giroux playing center will wear him down faster. If/when he loses his speed he will need to move to wing though. That I 100% agree with.
The team lacks center depth and has suffered from it. Giroux shooting 21% and the top line scoring a bunch of points doesn't hide that for me.
It is the same argument to me as the Chris Vandevelde argument. The best players should play. Give your best players the biggest responsibility. The center depth was an issue last year and at a time where I thought it could begin to become a strength it became weaker. - YuenglingJagr
The team lacks secondary scoring.
The team started the season scoring goals. And then they ran into trouble. It's not just on the centers. The Flyers need guys like Simmonds, Konecny, Weal, Weise, Patrick, Filppula and Raffl all to be better.
I still can't believe the Devils took Zacha over him. I literally leaped for joy when they passed over Provy.
The wide consensus was Provorov was a legit number 1 D prospect while Zacha was more of a boom or bust type. How you go with Zacha knowing your rival will be running to the podium to get a number 1 D man is just bizarre to me. - hereticpride
Location: Be nice from now on, NJ Joined: 03.17.2006
Dec 7 @ 9:51 AM ET
Yeah, I mean I don't know either. It makes sense and is certainly a reasonable argument. Everyone is different so it is tough to compare, but I just don't really see enough evidence across the league to say Giroux playing center will wear him down faster. If/when he loses his speed he will need to move to wing though. That I 100% agree with. - YuenglingJagr
I also think in a cap era, longevity becomes a much bigger concern than it did in the 80's and 90's.
The team wants to maximize its investment/production/cap hit ratio as long as possible.
