This year more than ever, the race for the Hart Trophy is wide open. All week, the NHL writing staff at Full Press Coverage will Make the Case for each of the top contenders. Next up: Claude Giroux.
Today I get to make the case for Claude Giroux to win the Hart Trophy. The Philadelphia Flyers have clinched a wild-card spot, and it is big thanks to their captain, Claude Giroux. In a game where his team needed to win to get into the playoffs, he put up a hat trick and a plus-4 rating en route to a 5-0 whitewash of the New York Rangers.
But you see, it is not just that one game. Giroux quietly put up a 102 point season. He has been the leader of the Flyers this year and is an integral part of their success. Giroux has made a strong case to be the MVP, however, many wouldn’t have really known it; especially given how the Penguins steal the spotlight in the Keystone state and on a national scale.
With that said, it has indeed happened. As mentioned above, Giroux capped off his great season with a hat-trick on Saturday. That win helped propel his Flyers into the playoffs. And it happened in the national spotlight with NBC televising its final regular season broadcast.
Making The Case for Hart Trophy
What makes Giroux an MVP candidate? What makes Giroux more worthy than the other five players in this feature despite only having one game-winning goal while the other five players had at least seven?
Giroux finished the season with 102 points (34 goals, and 68 assists) and was the Flyers’ leading scorer by a whopping 17 points. 102 points were good for second in the NHL behind Connor McDavid.
Latest NHL News
- NHL Rumors: Calgary Flames, Vancouver Canucks, Anaheim Ducks
- Jonathan Huberdeau Commits to Calgary Flames Long Term
- The Most Pressured Men in Maple Leafs Land This Season
- Clearing Cap Space: Trade Options For The Avalanche To Re-Sign Kadri
- New Jersey Devils Jesper Bratt Remains Part of the Solution
To me, it is amazing that such a great season could fly so far under the radar. Especially considering how much of his play directly impacted the Flyers on the ice. Giroux had a big hand in the Flyers’ making the playoffs because of his scoring touch and ability to set up goals for players such as Sean Couturier on the power play. He was the anchor of the Flyers’ power play that finished just 15th in the NHL but had a success rate of over 20 percent which is not too shabby.
-
Ep 39: Quarterback Contracts, Hill vs Adams, Top 5 QB Contracts
by Full Press Coverage on August 1, 2022 at 12:36 am
Why is this important? Why does Giroux’s offensive ability have such an impact on the team? The simple answer is, the Flyers goaltending was shaky during the regular season; and their defense was not much better.
So therefore what that means is that the Flyers’ offense has to score in order to have success. And even if that does happen, there is no guarantee that they will win with that goaltending.
Looking Ahead: The Playoffs and Beyond
Now that the season is behind us. Giroux and company will look ahead to the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Their opening round opponent is none other than the Pittsburgh Penguins, so right off the bat, we get to see why Giroux will have to be the reason Philadelphia makes it into the second round.
Giroux is going to have to lead the team in the playoffs like he did in the regular season. Because if the Penguins shut him down, the Flyers are in huge trouble. Because you cannot count on the goaltending to help, they have not done so much in the regular season. There is no better time than now to do start playing well, but I do not see it happening.
As far as whether Giroux can continue to put up this type of production in the future? I don’t see it, this is a surprise season in of itself. No one expected this out of Giroux and I am not certain it is sustainable. He is getting older and there is no assurance the team around him will be as dynamic as it was this season.
The main reason I think Kucherov can sustain his ways, if not excel, is the fact that he and Stamkos are going to be linemates for as long as they are both in Tampa Bay. Furthermore, Kucherov and Stamkos are both very young and very talented hockey players who should only build on that success.
– Kevin Gesterling is a Staff Writer for FPC NHL. He covers the NHL. Like and follow on Follow @kgesterling1 Follow @FPC_NHL and Facebook.
-
Ep 117: Former Chiefs VP of Player Personnel Bill Kuharich Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on August 3, 2022 at 10:26 pm
Former Chiefs VP of Player Personnel Bill Kuharich joins Clark and Ira to […]
-
Ep 116: Former Buccaneers Head Coach Bruce Arians Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on June 29, 2022 at 3:03 am
Former Buccaneers head coach Bruce Arians joins Clark and Ira to discuss […]
-
Ep 115: Gil Brandt Joins The Show To Remember Cowboys RB Don Perkinsby Full Press Coverage on June 22, 2022 at 3:46 pm
Pro Football Hall of Famer Gil Brandt joins Clark and Ira to discuss the […]
-
Ep 114: Former Bengals QB Ken Anderson Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on June 15, 2022 at 5:12 pm
Former Bengals quarterback and NFL MVP, Ken Anderson, joins Clark and Ira […]
-
Ep 113: HOF Voter Barry Wilner Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on June 10, 2022 at 6:04 pm
For AP chief correspondent and current Pro Football Hall of Fame voter, […]
-
Ep 112: Colts Owner Jim Irsay Joins To Talk "The Jim Irsay Collection"by Full Press Coverage on May 31, 2022 at 3:05 pm
Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay returns to the show to talk with Calrk […]
-
Ep 111: Joe Horrigan Returns To Remember Vietnam Veteran And Former Bills OT Bob Kalsuby Full Press Coverage on May 25, 2022 at 9:25 pm
As we approach Memorial Day, Joe Horrigan returns to the show to talk to […]
-
Ep 110: New Playoff Teams In 2022; Best Matchups On NFL Scehduleby Full Press Coverage on May 20, 2022 at 3:42 am
Clark, Ira, and Ian give their four teams that didn't make the NFL […]
-
Ep 117: Former Chiefs VP of Player Personnel Bill Kuharich Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on August 3, 2022 at 10:26 pm
Former Chiefs VP of Player Personnel Bill Kuharich joins Clark and Ira to […]
-
Ep 116: Former Buccaneers Head Coach Bruce Arians Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on June 29, 2022 at 3:03 am
Former Buccaneers head coach Bruce Arians joins Clark and Ira to discuss […]
-
Ep 115: Gil Brandt Joins The Show To Remember Cowboys RB Don Perkinsby Full Press Coverage on June 22, 2022 at 3:46 pm
Pro Football Hall of Famer Gil Brandt joins Clark and Ira to discuss the […]
-
Ep 114: Former Bengals QB Ken Anderson Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on June 15, 2022 at 5:12 pm
Former Bengals quarterback and NFL MVP, Ken Anderson, joins Clark and Ira […]
-
Ep 113: HOF Voter Barry Wilner Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on June 10, 2022 at 6:04 pm
For AP chief correspondent and current Pro Football Hall of Fame voter, […]
-
Ep 112: Colts Owner Jim Irsay Joins To Talk "The Jim Irsay Collection"by Full Press Coverage on May 31, 2022 at 3:05 pm
Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay returns to the show to talk with Calrk […]
-
Ep 111: Joe Horrigan Returns To Remember Vietnam Veteran And Former Bills OT Bob Kalsuby Full Press Coverage on May 25, 2022 at 9:25 pm
As we approach Memorial Day, Joe Horrigan returns to the show to talk to […]
-
Ep 110: New Playoff Teams In 2022; Best Matchups On NFL Scehduleby Full Press Coverage on May 20, 2022 at 3:42 am
Clark, Ira, and Ian give their four teams that didn't make the NFL […]
-
Ep 244: Auction Draft Strategyby Full Press Coverage on August 6, 2022 at 4:20 pm
-
Ep 243: TE Tiers TE 2022by Full Press Coverage on August 4, 2022 at 1:32 pm
-
Ep 242: WR Tiers Part 2by Full Press Coverage on July 29, 2022 at 7:39 pm
-
Ep 241: WR Tiers 2022 Part 1by Full Press Coverage on July 28, 2022 at 1:50 pm
-
Tyreek Hill vs. Davante Adams: Who Has The Better Season?by Full Press Coverage on August 1, 2022 at 12:48 am
From Full Press NFL Weekly, Ian Glendon, Braden Holecek, and Kyle Senra […]
-
Julio Jones Signs in Tampa Bayby Full Press Coverage on July 29, 2022 at 2:11 pm
Ian and John discuss Julio Jones joining Tom Brady in Tampa Bay. Learn […]
-
Juan Soto Wins Home Run Derby; Is It Worth Watching?by Full Press Coverage on July 19, 2022 at 1:10 pm
From FPC Radio LIVE, Ian Glendon and John Sapochetti react to Juan Soto's […]
-
Jimmy Garoppolo To Tampa Bay? Not so Fastby Full Press Coverage on July 11, 2022 at 1:09 pm
From FPC Radio LIVE, Ian Glendon and John Sapochetti discuss the latest […]
-
Tom Brady Turns 45; Is He Still The Face Of The NFL?by Full Press Coverage on August 3, 2022 at 9:49 pm
Ian and John discuss Tom Brady on his 45th birthday and ask the […]
-
8/3 - Vin Scully, Tom Brady, Stephen Ross and the Dolphinsby Full Press Coverage on August 3, 2022 at 1:20 pm
Ian and John discuss the passing of Vin Scully, Tom Brady's birthday, and […]
-
Bill Russell Passes Away At 88by Full Press Coverage on August 1, 2022 at 3:16 pm
Ian and John react to the passing of Celtics' legend, Bill Russell.
-
8/1 - Bill Russell Passes Away; Deshaun Watson Suspendedby Full Press Coverage on August 1, 2022 at 1:59 pm
Ian and John discuss the passing of Celtics' legend Bill Russell and the […]
-
7/29 - Kyler Murray, Julio Jones to Tampa, D.K. Metcalf Extensionby Full Press Coverage on July 29, 2022 at 2:04 pm
Ian and John discuss the Kyler Murray extension, Julio Jones signing in […]
-
Is An Eight-Game Suspension Too Light For Deshaun Watsonby Full Press Coverage on July 22, 2022 at 4:29 pm
Ian and John discuss the rumored 8-game suspension for Browns quarterback, […]
-
7/22 - Kyler Murray Contract, Watson Suspension, Top 5 NFC Teamsby Full Press Coverage on July 22, 2022 at 12:50 pm
Ian and John react to the Kyler Murray contract, the impending Deshaun […]
-
7/20 - Charles Barkley, Pre Game Shows, Top 5 AFC Teamsby Full Press Coverage on July 20, 2022 at 1:23 pm
Ian and John discuss the rumors of Charles Barkley joining LIV Golf, the […]
-
Ep 39: Quarterback Contracts, Hill vs Adams, Top 5 QB Contractsby Full Press Coverage on August 1, 2022 at 12:36 am
Ian, Braden, and Kyle discuss the new quarterback contracts, Tyreek Hill […]
-
Ep 38: Tyreek Hill Traded To The Dolphinsby Full Press Coverage on March 24, 2022 at 12:10 am
Ian and Braden react to the trade of Tyreek Hill from the Chiefs to the […]
-
Talkamania Episode 229by Talkamania on August 5, 2022 at 3:37 am
-
Talkamania Episode 227by Talkamania on June 12, 2022 at 3:27 am
-
Boot 2 The Face Episode 191 "Summer Slam Preview"by Boot 2 The Face on July 28, 2022 at 12:31 am
Rucker is joined by Angel and Timmy C of Filter Free Popcast who you can […]
-
Boot 2 The Face Episode 191 "And Neeeeew..."by Boot 2 The Face on July 18, 2022 at 10:05 am
Your boys are back talking pro wrestling. We talk Jim Ross and his new […]
-
Ep 140: Training Camp Part 2by Full Press Coverage on August 7, 2022 at 7:36 pm
-
Ep 244: Auction Draft Strategyby Full Press Coverage on August 6, 2022 at 4:20 pm
-
Ep 125: Mabel/Visceraby Full Press Coverage on August 6, 2022 at 2:00 pm
-
Talkamania Episode 229by Talkamania on August 5, 2022 at 3:37 am
-
Ep. 196 - Bill Russell: Real Life Superheroby Full Press Coverage on August 4, 2022 at 9:32 pm
-
Ep 243: TE Tiers TE 2022by Full Press Coverage on August 4, 2022 at 1:32 pm
-
Ep.119: Hall Of Fame Game Previewby Full Press Coverage on August 4, 2022 at 5:00 am
-
Ep 117: Former Chiefs VP of Player Personnel Bill Kuharich Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on August 3, 2022 at 10:26 pm
-
Ep 49: Who Are The Top Five Quarterbacks In The NFL?by Full Press Coverage on August 3, 2022 at 9:53 pm
-
Tom Brady Turns 45; Is He Still The Face Of The NFL?by Full Press Coverage on August 3, 2022 at 9:49 pm
-
8/3 - Vin Scully, Tom Brady, Stephen Ross and the Dolphinsby Full Press Coverage on August 3, 2022 at 1:20 pm
-
Bill Russell Passes Away At 88by Full Press Coverage on August 1, 2022 at 3:16 pm
-
8/1 - Bill Russell Passes Away; Deshaun Watson Suspendedby Full Press Coverage on August 1, 2022 at 1:59 pm
-
7/29 - Kyler Murray, Julio Jones to Tampa, D.K. Metcalf Extensionby Full Press Coverage on July 29, 2022 at 2:04 pm
-
Is An Eight-Game Suspension Too Light For Deshaun Watsonby Full Press Coverage on July 22, 2022 at 4:29 pm
-
7/22 - Kyler Murray Contract, Watson Suspension, Top 5 NFC Teamsby Full Press Coverage on July 22, 2022 at 12:50 pm
-
7/20 - Charles Barkley, Pre Game Shows, Top 5 AFC Teamsby Full Press Coverage on July 20, 2022 at 1:23 pm
-
7/19 - Lakers, MLB Home Run Derby, Gronks Future, And Moreby Full Press Coverage on July 19, 2022 at 1:07 pm
-
7/11 - Celebrity Deaths; Jimmy Garoppolo Rumorby Full Press Coverage on July 11, 2022 at 1:07 pm
U missed the most important part. Giroux dwarfted every other top 10 scorer and hart trophy finalist in plus minus. He had a score of 28 the next closest was 21. Most of the guys he more then doubled up. The fact that he did that while probably having the worst defensive defense n goalie situation out of the group is tremendous. Hes number 1 in scoring out of all playoff players, 2 overall, number 1 in assists, top 10 or so in goals, top ten in plus minus out of everyone, hes the captain of the team, and took a team that was number 1 in its division then lost both goalies n started to scuffle learning to play with the new goalies, put them on his back and dominated the last 10-15 games. Giroux is the clear cut Hart winner. Theyre isnt really a cogent argument otherwise.
You’re right I didn’t even think to mention that. I saw it but for some reason, I left it out and I regret doing so. But I was super impressed with his season as I was looking over the numbers and watching the games and tape of the Flyers season. Thank you for the comment and feel free to comment any time. I love dialogue.