Two years ago if you were making a list of locks to make the Canadian Olympic team, you would have to include Claude Giroux.
In the midst of a 93-point season that would include an upset of the heavily-favoured Pittsburgh Penguins in the first round of the playoffs, Giroux cemented his status as one of the game’s elite two-way players. Two years later, Giroux might have to buy his own ticket if he wants to go to Sochi.
Through the first 11 games of the season Giroux has only six points, none of them goals. What’s even more concerning is that Giroux is not generating as many chances as in previous years. From 2011-2013, Giroux was taking around three shots a game, and is now only creating enough time and space to take about two a game. The difference seems small, but over a full season that could mean close to 10 fewer goals.
According to CBC’s Elliotte Friedman, Giroux is “trying to do too much” and “forcing plays that aren’t there, especially as the losses and injuries mount.”
The Flyers need Giroux to be better, as the young captain’s slow start has contributed to Philadelphia’s ugly 3-8-0 record. Philadelphia has only one more point than the league-worst Buffalo Sabres.
Most times a slow start from an elite player can be shrugged off as a small sample-sizes blip—a momentary slump that happens to even the best players over an 82-game season—but after a bizarre golfing injury over the summer, you have to wonder whether injuries are contributing to Giroux’s sluggish play.
While playing golf in Cumberland, Ontario this summer, Giroux’s club exploded and lacerated the extensor tendons in his right index finger. His outlook was a five- to six-week rehab, and afterwards he announced himself ready for the season opener, even with only two preseason games to shake off the rust. Zero goals to start the season doesn’t really add an exclamation point to that statement, however.
The goals should eventually come for Giroux—if he can shoot at his career high 14.79 per cent clip from here on out, he can still end the year with a respectable 22 goals. Even more encouraging, this isn’t the first time Giroux has gone a long stretch without scoring. He failed to find the back of the net for 12 straight games in 2011-12, yet still ended the year with 28 goals.
But unless Giroux starts to get hot quick, Steve Yzerman and the rest of the Canadian management group might have no other choice but to leave Giroux behind. Canada is deeply talented at centre, and plenty others have started the season on fire. Giroux does have experience playing on the wing, which might help his cause as some of Canada’s premier wingers, like Rick Nash, Taylor Hall and James Neal, are injured.
With a December 31 deadline for roster selection, however, time is ticking for Giroux to prove he’s still Team Canada material.
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