Claude Giroux Continues To Climb Ranks In Flyers History

There isn’t a whole lot left to be excited about this season. The Flyers have seven more games remaining to try and salvage what is left of this crazy year. There will no doubt be a lot of evaluation between now and the following campaign. There may be a lot of change that comes along with it as well. One thing that has and will likely remain a constant is Claude Giroux.

There have been many times where we have seen Giroux put the team on his back, whether that he a single moment or a single season. Being in an organization for as long as he has, there are bound to be countless moments to choose from. He scored the game-winning goal during the shootout in 2010 that sent the Flyers to the postseason. Giroux posted 21 points in 23 games as Philadelphia fell just two games shy of the Stanley Cup

Two seasons before being named captain in 2013, Giroux posted a 93-point season, the most from any Flyers’ player since Lindros has 93 points during the 1998-99 season. When he was moved from center to wing before the start of the 2017-18 season, Giroux responded with 34 goals and 102 points in 82 games. That was second in the NHL as only Connor McDavid had more points.

Giroux has also been to six All-Star games during his career. And he’s climbing the ranks in franchise history. This season, he has moved up to second all-time in games played and sits second in career assists for the organization. And just recently, he moved himself into really good company on another list.

With two goals against the New Jersey Devils on Sunday night, Giroux moved ahead of Brian Propp and into third place all-time on the franchise’s points list. He sits at 850, just 33 points behind Bill Barber (883 points), a feat he will almost certainly reach next season. Bobby Clarke’s 1,210 points are a long way off for Giroux, but his mark on Flyers history is clear.

Giroux has been around this organization a long time and his impact clearly shows. Sean Couturier has been with the Flyers since 2011. So his entire career has been spent with Giroux, most of it with him as captain. So he has seen the impact Giroux has had on this team throughout his tenure.

“He’s one of the most competitive human beings out there. Anything he does, he wants to win. I think it reflects on everyone on the team. You have no choice but to follow up. That’s what makes him such a great leader, great captain.”

Giroux is one of the longest-tenured athletes in Philadelphia. There may be some doubt that he will finish a long career with the city that drafted him back in 2006. He has one year remaining on his contract, one that includes a $8.275 cap hit and a no-movement clause. And things haven’t been easy for him over the last few years. A constant battle to make the playoffs while not always been surrounded by top-end talent can weigh on someone.

But Alain Vigneault knows the kind of effort he’s going to get from his captain night in and night out. Even having only been with him for about two seasons, it’s evident the drive and compete level he shows whenever he is on the ice.

“No doubt, it hasn’t gone the way we wanted. But one thing we’ve gotten from our captain is 100% every game. He comes to play, he comes to compete, and he’s been a real solid example for our team. He’s doing everything he can to steer the ship in the right direction.”

For now, the focus remains on the final eight games of the season. The Flyers will look to take any positives they can get to finish out what has been a rough year. And for Giroux, this honor is something he cherishes. But getting the wins is an even better feeling.