How Claude Giroux Can Help a Stanley Cup Contender

Where there’s smoke, there’s usually fire.

Though Philadelphia Flyers captain Claude Giroux hasn’t publicly requested a move, rumors are swirling around his name as the NHL’s trade deadline approaches. If he has indeed asked for a chance to join a Stanley Cup contender, it’s hard to blame him. He ranks second in Flyers history in games played (999), assists (609) and points (900). And this isn’t merely a case of impressive longevity either. He was one of the very finest players of the 2010s, finishing that decade first in helpers and fourth in overall production.

Due to poor roster construction and coaching, however, the Flyers haven’t been truly competitive since Mike Richards and Jeff Carter were dealt away. Over that nine-year span, Philadelphia has managed to reach the second round twice. It’s missed the playoffs as many times as it’s qualified for them. With no light at the end of the tunnel, Giroux may well be looking for a crack at that elusive Stanley Cup elsewhere.

Of course, these are no longer the 2010s and the 34-year-old is no longer the star he once was. He won’t join a playoff club and immediately become their best, second-best or even third-best forward. With that said, he still has some gas left in the tank. An inadequate supporting cast has masked the fact that he remains a deft playmaker:

Giroux has the vision to spot passing lanes most can’t see, whereas his touch allows him to feather pucks into the smallest of windows. He’s a versatile passer too. He can make the simple link-up to gather momentum through the neutral zone, he can flip the puck across the rink and directly onto your blade, he can complete sumptuous saucer dishes through traffic and he’s even become fond of banking the puck off the end boards to swiftly change the point of attack. He’s creative and his setups are right on the money.

Since he’s so accurate in all three zones, Philadelphia enjoys more control during his shifts. The team relies on him to sort out possession and start moving downhill. It’s no surprise that he leads Flyers forwards in scoring chance percentage (52.2 SCF%) and expected goal percentage (51.3 xGF%).

Better yet, a playoff lineup could convert those opportunities into goals at a much higher clip. Giroux’s assist rate has dipped in accordance with his unit’s on-ice shooting percentage in the last few years, as the Flyers clearly lack finish up front. They rank 31st offensively (2.51 GPG) and their purest scorer is Cam Atkinson, who potted 41 goals alongside Artemi Panarin in 2018-19. Giroux, while still a good playmaker, is no Breadman.

This roster issue has shone a brighter light on his shooting. Passing is the heart of his game, but he’s always boasted the ability to whistle pucks past goaltenders:

Giroux’s one-timer is heavy and he places his bids up high to give himself the best odds of scoring. He’s also a strong catch-and-release threat. With that said, he doesn’t always lean into his shots. At times, he’ll take some steam off in order to ensure that they get through a maze of bodies or are ripe for deflections. When he breaks in alone, he displays the sizzle that made him a fan favorite to begin with. His hands are quick, yet he has great patience as well as a knack for selling his dekes. A sharp backhand-to-forehand move has long been his favorite.

Luckily for buyers, Giroux’s scoring hasn’t declined. In fact, he’s tickling the twine at his highest rate in four seasons. He shouldn’t be counted upon to lead an offense at this stage in his career, but he can complement one with his wealth of experience and a balanced arsenal.

That same notion applies to his defense. Once a fairly complete three-zone player, Giroux has lost a step and now only musters occasional flashes of brilliance. Obviously, this means you shouldn’t slot him on your matchup line. Otherwise, his positioning and hockey sense would fit nicely on most playoff clubs:

As a savvy offensive weapon, he understands how forwards think and thus can anticipate their designs. He crowds passing lanes and deploys an active stick to break up plays at the point of attack. It’s worth mentioning, however, that he’s more of an instinctual defender than a by-the-book one. He makes up for his average skating with good reads. When he guesses wrong, he can get burned.

These days, his biggest defensive contributions may come at the faceoff circle. He wins an astonishing 61.1% of his draws. That’s actually his career best and ranks third leaguewide. As such, teams can get themselves out of sticky situations or start with possession at crucial moments by sending Giroux over the boards.

Look, he certainly isn’t 90-point Giroux anymore. That doesn’t mean he can’t help a contender. He can play any forward position, he’s skilled, he’s battle-tested. If the speculation is true, he’s hungry to add a title to his resume. You don’t see it as much in his 14th professional campaign, but when he gets a burr under his saddle, he’ll take on an entire team by himself in the corners and somehow come out with the puck:

Giroux gave Philly everything he could. Whatever he has left can significantly boost another team’s push for the Stanley Cup.