i agree with that. i obviously dont have the answer as to why. if its an age related slip as some have hinted, i really dont see any one skill or trait thats starting to lag as opposed to years past.

even in his prime, its not as if giroux was an upper shelf goal scorer anyway. but something is amiss
- stayinthefnnet

He lacks the explosiveness he used to have, and the fire for that matter. Remember that opening shift when he knocked a Pens player on his ass and scored a goal? I agree with others that the seasons have taken something out of him. He is a smaller player, and he was overused. If you lose even just a little bit, or a half a step, it makes a big difference on the ice.

Macdonald is one if the teams best defensemen?

"This is an over-reaction".
- mochoson

Currently yes. Which is why he is getting high ice time at ES and on the PK. It's not any kind of reaction, it's just a fact.

Right now, Giroux is a shadow of the player he was just a few years ago. That being said, he is still likely to be a 60 point player. He's not getting it done now, and needs to improve in a number of areas.
- MJL

Pretty much. I also don't think it's unfair to say he needs better line mates. He had a pretty good start to the season when he saw more time with Simmonds or Voracek.

Well how great are Matt Read and Michael Raffl in comparison to Crosby's line mates? What it really boils down to outside of Crosby simply being better than Giroux, Crosby is on a Cup contender every year and Giroux isn't. Especially right now.
- SuperSchennBros

i used to be a really big fan of read, but he has gone the way of chris kunitz. theyre both pretty much done.

raffl actually i think is pretty similar to bryan rust.

and as to your last point, as the best players on their team they do contribute to that in no small part.

Currently yes. Which is why he is getting high ice time at ES and on the PK. It's not any kind of reaction, it's just a fact.
- MJL

Yup, getting tons of time at ES on a team thats terrible 5v5 and continues to lose games. Your logic is baffling.

Next.

- Mononoke

i do my part.

Pretty much. I also don't think it's unfair to say he needs better line mates. He had a pretty good start to the season when he saw more time with Simmonds or Voracek.
- SuperSchennBros

i dont think thats an unfair assumption at all, especially if his time with voracek has been cut back.

the notion that both crosby and giroux have fairly meh linemates doesnt have to be mutually exclusive.

its just hard when both the flyers and pens are going to have another 8 million plus forward in voracek and malkin. i like the idea of a cap, but it does leave some areas hurting.

Yup, getting tons of time at ES on a team thats terrible 5v5 and continues to lose games. Your logic is baffling.

Next.
- mochoson

It's not about logic, it's about fact. Your replies are baffling. Now if we want to talk about what needs to be improved or upgraded, and where ideally a player should be slotted, that's a different conversation. The coach only has so many choices. Right now, MacDonald continues to be a top 4 NHL defenseman, and is currently one of their better defenseman. Unfortunately, players such as Del Zotto Streit, and Gostisbehere have regressed.

Leier was already called up when injuries occurred and was sent back down. This is an overreaction. In my opinion you don't call up players to give them a chance to earn icetime, you do what is best for the player, rather than place them in this environment.
Laughton needs to be left in the AHL to improve in the hopes that he can get his game back. Leier doesn't improve the team.

MacDonald is currently one of their better defenseman. Unless any of young Phantoms defenseman are ready for the NHL and are an improvement, then what is the point?
The regular season of the NHL is not for tryouts. The Flyers are currently 1 point out of a playoff spot. It is not time to give up on the season.

Maybe if the Flyers best players would start playing like their best players, things would be differently. Replacing the role players is not going to change much.
- MJL

Ummmm, arguing against yourself i see...

LOL! Priceless.

Currently yes. Which is why he is getting high ice time at ES and on the PK. It's not any kind of reaction, it's just a fact.
- MJL

Ummmm, arguing against yourself i see...

LOL! Priceless.





- ggunky

Stating that I'm arguing against myself, doesn't make any sense whatsoever. You're reaching there. Do you have a counter opinion to offer? If so, I'd be glad to read it and discuss it.

Sam Gagner: 14 goals 18 assists in 44 games this season, $650,000
Claude Giroux: 10 goals 28 assists in 47 games this season,$9,000,000

You would think you would want more goals then assists in a player earning 9 million dollars base salary and counting 8.25 million against the salary cap
- penguininnevada

Wade Megan has a better shooting percentage than Crosby this season.

NEXT

i dont think thats an unfair assumption at all, especially if his time with voracek has been cut back.

the notion that both crosby and giroux have fairly meh linemates doesnt have to be mutually exclusive.

its just hard when both the flyers and pens are going to have another 8 million plus forward in voracek and malkin. i like the idea of a cap, but it does leave some areas hurting.
- stayinthefnnet

They're two franchises in very different places right now.

Giroux wasn't even invited to participate in the last two Olympics

#FunFacts
- penguininnevada

that's because he's not that good

Interesting. I'd try to package Morin or Hagg but not sure that comes close. Couturier I could care less about.

If they trade for Duchene, I want it to be Giroux going the other way. In the off season. Not sure the avs do that even with a sweetener.
- flyer_nutter

I have little interest in Duchesne. If I'm going to give up major assets I want a guy like Draisatl coming back. I'd be willing to part with Ghost and Coots to land a kid like him.

I wouldn't know. I'm not a Penguins fan.
- SuperSchennBros

I would hope not. Point is those 2 are nothing special. Crosby doesn't need star talent to put up monster numbers. He makes others around him better.

I'm not buying the argument anymore that G is hamstrung with Read and Raffl. I feel he needs Jake back. I don't feel he can take over a game by himself like Cindy can

I would hope not. Point is those 2 are nothing special. Crosby doesn't need star talent to put up monster numbers. He makes others around him better.

I'm not buying the argument anymore that G is hamstrung with Read and Raffl. I feel he needs Jake back. I don't feel he can take over a game by himself like Cindy can
- Pelle31Forever

Take the time to back Read because I'm repeating myself.

I have little interest in Duchesne. If I'm going to give up major assets I want a guy like Draisatl coming back. I'd be willing to part with Ghost and Coots to land a kid like him.
- BiggE

I would too.
Hell is throw in a first and maybe more.

Draisaitl. Sigh.

I hope Hextall isn't overrating this team like many people do.

I would too.
Hell is throw in a first and maybe more.

Draisaitl. Sigh.

I hope Hextall isn't overrating this team like many people do.
- flyer_nutter

Who has been overrating this team and how?

Take the time to back Read because I'm repeating myself.
- SuperSchennBros

It's on the topic of Crosby having better talent 5v5 than G. I don't think his line mates are leaps and bounds better. Obviously Letang is better than any Flyer defenseman, but I don't know how often those 2 spend on the ice together.

It's on the topic of Crosby having better talent 5v5 than G. I don't think his line mates are leaps and bounds better. Obviously Letang is better than any Flyer defenseman, but I don't know how often those 2 spend on the ice together.
- Pelle31Forever

Regardless of line combinations (because they change), the Penguins just won a cup and we're not even close. Crosby is unquestionably better than G, one vs one. At the same time, I'm not gonna say their wingers are simply a wash. Read his been looking for his game for a few years now.

Regardless of line combinations (because they change), the Penguins just won a cup and we're not even close. Crosby is unquestionably better than G, one vs one. At the same time, I'm not gonna say their wingers are simply a wash. Read his been looking for his game for a few years now.
- SuperSchennBros

thats my point. they arent a wash. the extended time with someone like voracek is something crosby never really had.

thats my point. they arent a wash. the extended time with someone like voracek is something crosby never really had.
- stayinthefnnet

Kunitz isn't a flashy player but if you are good enough to make team Canada and produce, you're a pretty good player. Again, Kunitz is far from perfect but he's a Hartnell like compliment.

Kunitz isn't a flashy player but if you are good enough to make team Canada and produce, you're a pretty player.
- SuperSchennBros

he was a nice player for a few years, yeah. although to be fair, when he made that team the uproar was deafening.

although hey, sheary and rusty are looking pretty alright this afternoon