When describing Claude Giroux, the first thing that comes to mind is his competitiveness. Whether that be on the ice, during a game of cards on the plane, or even during an arm-wrestling match at a bar in Nashville.
Scott Hartnell, who was part of the Flyers organization for seven seasons, had an interesting story to tell about how far Giroux’s competitiveness spans. On a particular night in Nashville, some of the players were enjoying themselves at The Stage and taking part in more than a few “waters.”
All of a sudden, then head coach Craig Berube and one of the team’s strength and conditioning coaches came in. It was there that Giroux was almost egged on into an arm-wrestling match with his head coach. Not one to turn things down, he was ready to go and Hartnell became the ref for this match. And it seemed like it would go Berube’s way at first. But Giroux may have been playing some mind games on his coach.
"“G kind of let Chief kind of have the first win. And just like the movie ‘Over the Top’ with Sylvester Stallone, just hammered him down and was just in his face, all over him. And we were going bananas. I think we actually made Chief leave that bar just because he was so embarrassed that he lost.” Hartnell said during a press conference on Monday afternoon."
There are plenty more instances of the competitiveness he shows no matter what he is doing. And it’s that part of his leadership that has drawn players to him. It’s also part of the reason that Giroux has been able to be this successful in his career. A career that began when the Flyers needed to make an emergency call-up on a 20-year-old kid from the Gatineau Olympiques in February of 2008.
He recorded no shots, but showed enough offensive talent to be chosen first in the shootout. Hartnell recalled the night, sharing the confidence and competitiveness in which Giroux exuded even as a young player in his first NHL game. It had felt like he was “a little before his time,” as Hartnell mentioned, when it came to his confidence and skill set as well.
It’s those two things, and much more, that have allowed him to reach the 1,000 game plateau with the Flyers and in the NHL itself. And while his time with the organization may be coming to an end soon, there is only excitement that follows in what could finally be his chance to get the one thing that has eluded him all these years: a Stanley Cup.
What would happen if Giroux is traded before the March 21st deadline and does achieve the last piece of the puzzle? Would his former teammates be happy for him? You can bet that they would be, especially Sean Couturier.
"“We’d be happy for him. I mean, especially me. I’ve been around him since I started my career and, you know, to have learned so much from him and the time and the effort he’s putting into this organization. You just wish him all the best.” Couturier said on Tuesday."
Couturier has spent his entire career with Claude Giroux by his side. He has grown and learned how to become the player that he is to this day. Drafted in 2011, Couturier is far from the 18-year-old he once was when he made his NHL debut. And he has Giroux to thank for a lot of that.
There are plenty of reasons for Giroux to waive his no-movement clause and take a chance with a contending team. There are certainly plenty of suitors. But there are also reasons to take pause as well. And that has a lot to do with the family he has made. His wife, Ryanne, and his two sons, Gavin and Palmer, will no doubt play a huge role in what the final decision is.
It was only a few days ago that Giroux mentioned that there were still some conversations that needed to happen in order to make that decision.
"“I didn’t think I’d be put in the position to make a decision. I mean it’s been, probably the worst year since I’m here. It’s been a tough year… Obviously there’s still some meetings and things to talk about with the management and see what the gameplan is. Not just for this year, but for the future.”"
For now, the Flyers will let Giroux relish in the accomplishment of his 1,000th game on Thursday night. After that, it’ll be time to get to work with just three days until the Trade Deadline. So take in these next few days as it could be a very different-looking Flyers team by then.