Yes, and the stats bear out that he is better on the left side.
- MBFlyerfan

To be fair, everyone's stats get better playing with Couturier. However I don't think that changes the fact that getting the best value out of Giroux requires playing him with Couturier.

I think there is some of that for sure but to completely discount his play dropping is simply not accurate.
- MJL

I don't think his play dropped.

I don't think his play dropped.
- Striiker

Did you watch the playoffs?

Giroux had a down year points wise mainly because his assists totals fell way off.

He was 1 goal off his previous years pace (22 to 21 in 13 less games) but dropped from 63 assists to 32 assists.

Personally I think that had a lot to do with experimenting with him on the right side of the PP and needing him to play center with line mates that weren't finishing like they should have been.

The stats bear that out to a degree.

If I am AV, I do whatever possible to make sure Giroux is as comfortable as possible so that he can produce at the highest level possible.

I think would offset maybe having a weaker player at 3rd line center. Hopefully if Patrick is healthy the problem doesn't arise, at least to the degree it did last season.
- MBFlyerfan

I completely agree with the usage argument for Giroux. However I think as a 3rd line center, he was the best available player last season since Patrick was out. I am very tired of the right side PP experiment. If they need new looks, they need to look a different personnel changes. Giroux should stay in his office.

Did you watch the playoffs?
- MJL

I sure did, did you? Points wise the production wasn't there as that is what your basing it on is my guess.

I completely agree with the usage argument for Giroux. However I think as a 3rd line center, he was the best available player last season since Patrick was out. I am very tired of the right side PP experiment. If they need new looks, they need to look a different personnel changes. Giroux should stay in his office.
- NC Flyers Fan

The coaching staff clearly didn't see it that way; which is baffling. You are 100% correct.

The coaching staff clearly didn't see it that way; which is baffling. You are 100% correct.
- Striiker

Yeah, its not like they didn't have access to these same stats, advanced and otherwise.
It was general malfeasance on their part. Though I believe overall they did an excellent job evidenced by where they finished at the break and getting to game 7 of the second round. How they lost notwithstanding.

read further down for some even strength numbers. Granted not as drastic a difference, but a difference nonetheless.
- MBFlyerfan

Looks to me that those winger #s are all for LW at ES, with the comparison being between Couturier's winger or not?

The kind of slapshot he scores from on the pp on the half-walls, sometimes from 1 knee, he does not score too many goals at ES from there. He doesn't take that many shots there either. If he moves to LW, maybe he scores 3-4 goals ES less a season because of blade positioning. I don't think that's a bigee.

But I have noticed he is no longer the elite passer/playmaker he used to be at ES. I wonder if having his body get between defender and blade by playing on natural side might give him some of that back.

I sure did, did you? Points wise the production wasn't there as that is what your basing it on is my guess.
- Striiker

I watched the playoffs and for the most part he was a complete non factor, looked slow, wasn’t winning many battles. The points showed that. Not writing him off but if you think his play didn’t drop off you need to go re watch those games.

I watched the playoffs and for the most part he was a complete non factor, looked slow, wasn’t winning many battles. The points showed that. Not writing him off but if you think his play didn’t drop off you need to go re watch those games.
- ClaudeFather

Maybe you need to take your own advice. In fact didn't the GM, do not remember the exact quotes or what he said, say he was not the problem and played very well.

As far as points, how many post did he hit? How many his teammates flub and not bury? I didn't see a decline. For a guy who has had the seasons he has had recently I see bad puck luck n this case. Then again maybe I should rematch the games.

I watched the playoffs and for the most part he was a complete non factor, looked slow, wasn’t winning many battles. The points showed that. Not writing him off but if you think his play didn’t drop off you need to go re watch those games.
- ClaudeFather

It is really hard to say how much his game shape, the lack of momentum from the pause, the center depth issue, position adjustments, and other factors had to do with his low playoff production this past year.

To all the folks asking to see a Giroux-Coots-TK line, in hindsight it would have been nice to see if it would work. However, TK wasn’t exactly his regular season star self and then Coots got hurt.

Maybe you need to take your own advice. In fact didn't the GM, do not remember the exact quotes or what he said, say he was not the problem and played very well.

As far as points, how many post did he hit? How many his teammates flub and not bury? I didn't see a decline. For a guy who has had the seasons he has had recently I see bad puck luck n this case. Then again maybe I should rematch the games.
- Striiker

I come to recall Brock Nelson stripping him of the puck and going the other way for a goal, but let’s talk about the posts he hit.

I come to recall Brock Nelson stripping him of the puck and going the other way for a goal, but let’s talk about the posts he hit.
- ClaudeFather

That is impressive. You sealed it he didn’t play well. Bravo.

Yes let’s talk about the post he hit; what are your thoughts on that.

I sure did, did you? Points wise the production wasn't there as that is what your basing it on is my guess.
- Striiker

You expect more out of your top players. Giroux certainly wasn't the only one. He had a subpar season, there is no denying that. However he's had that before and I had doubts that he would rebound. I'm giving him the benefit of the doubt this time.

Looks to me that those winger #s are all for LW at ES, with the comparison being between Couturier's winger or not?

The kind of slapshot he scores from on the pp on the half-walls, sometimes from 1 knee, he does not score too many goals at ES from there. He doesn't take that many shots there either. If he moves to LW, maybe he scores 3-4 goals ES less a season because of blade positioning. I don't think that's a bigee.

But I have noticed he is no longer the elite passer/playmaker he used to be at ES. I wonder if having his body get between defender and blade by playing on natural side might give him some of that back.
- PT21

I don't wonder. Giroux is a LW. His stick sees more of the ice at LW. He's not a player who puts defenders on his back and shields the puck. Putting him on the right side is not going to improve his playmaking.

I have a question for a scholar and an academic. How can you have stats for RW if he only played LW?

That is impressive. You sealed it he didn’t play well. Bravo.

Yes let’s talk about the post he hit; what are your thoughts on that.
- Striiker

My thoughts are a shot that hits the post isn't even a shot on net let alone a goal.

Any thoughts of Sami Vatanen on an overpaid single year deal. Not common for a one year but w COVID these times are not common. Would have to pay a premium and clearly lose cap space (ghost?) but w slight sheltered minutes he could be a fine fill in without causing expansion issues. Surprised he’s not signed although he was not great defensively on Carolina in that short period

That is impressive. You sealed it he didn’t play well. Bravo.

Yes let’s talk about the post he hit; what are your thoughts on that.
- Striiker

Sucks that he hit the post, idk what to say. If he hit 4 posts I would say damn this guy was unlucky but he hit a couple. It happens. It was a weird restart, probably wasn’t best for him especially since he was starting to pick it up before play stopped.

They do have some RHD in the system. Wylie's on the right track. St. Ivany is often overlooked.

Would expect Fletch to keep bringing in veteran RHD depth to help transition the kids, too.
- Tomahawk

Maybe Wylie makes it, maybe not. Hope he does. We need help on that side, but I guess it still doesn't solve this log jam at LHD.

As Bill said, perhaps Sanheim will cross the ice. That could do it.

My thoughts are a shot that hits the post isn't even a shot on net let alone a goal.
- MJL

Wasn't aware hitting the post is not a goal. Thanks for that insight as it is appreciated.

Did you play hockey at all at any level? Ice, roller, street?

At some point I expect one of Sanheim, Myers, York, or Zamula to be traded. Would be shocked if they are all on the same blue line with Ivan
- login

I don’t. Hägg, Braun and Gus aren’t exactly building blocks. Ghost I think is all big out the door.

Wasn't aware hitting the post is not a goal. Thanks for that insight as it is appreciated.

Did you play hockey at all at any level? Ice, roller, street?
- login

I have extensive experience in bubble hockey, rod hockey and PlayStation.

I have extensive experience in bubble hockey, rod hockey and PlayStation.
- MJL

I had a respectable career in driveway hockey. Not hall of fame worthy but I held my own.

I have extensive experience in bubble hockey, rod hockey and PlayStation.
- MJL

Where you USA or Russia.

Rod hockey solo or with someone? do you enjoy rod hockey?

I don’t. Hägg, Braun and Gus aren’t exactly building blocks. Ghost I think is all big out the door.
- SuperSchennBros

How often do these dream lineup scenarios come to fruition? One will be moved to address other areas, maybe york or zamula don't pan out. I will be shocked ot see all 5 play together for any extended time frame if at all.

Those you mentioned are filler and not core pieces. Not relevant to what i said.