Claude Giroux enjoyed what can only be described as a tremendous breakout year last season for the Philadelphia Flyers.
This had led many fans and analysts to compare him to the current top players in the NHL, such as Steven Stamkos, Alex Ovechkin, Evgeni Malkin and Sidney Crosby.
With those comparisons come both expectations and one of the biggest questions a player can face; is Giroux the best player in the NHL?
The answer to that question is understandably subjective. But it's safe to assume most people would say that a player who has failed to win a Stanley Cup, Hart Trophy as league MVP, scoring title or even broken 100 points in a season is still a ways off from that point.
Giroux has accomplished none of those things, but he has a bit of a different skill set than the players that have.
His toughness and physical presence make him more comparable to Ovechkin, but his puck-handling and passing draw comparisons to Crosby.
Giroux has done well on the big stage for the most part, as fans will remember his OT goal in the 2010 Stanley Cup Finals as well as his famous first shift against the Pen ...
Read Full Article at Bleacher Report - NHL
Article written by Dan Adams
Philadelphia Flyers: Will Claude Giroux Be the Best Player in the NHL This Year?
August 3rd, 2012 by Dan Adams Leave a reply »
Advertisement