I will rip on any player if/when they deserve it.

I couldn't like a player more than I like Giroux but he's been a fiasco the last little while as you've pointed out. He's far from the only one.

Good thing is the Flyers have been pretty close to a .500 team the last while and they've been playing like crap, time to turn it back up.
- Buts16

I hope Pronger's visit yesterday gives them a bit of a kick in the ass.

I hope Pronger's visit yesterday gives them a bit of a kick in the ass.
- tangent_man

It's nice that he got to visit the team, but still showing no signs of improvement sucks.

I still get sad when I see him in ads during games.

I've never met an athlete (or former athlete) who was so gracious with his time. Wouldn't be surprised if Bill gets his picture taken with each and every person at that seminar.
- bradleyc4

he's probs walkin' outta there with lots of digits, too.

no, but I expect more than a 14 goal pace...

Giroux is more than capable of playing at a 20-30g/50-60a pace....
- jak521

Correct, and that's the pace he's on. The torrid first half is being tempered by a lull to start the 2nd half. It will all even out in a likely PPG (or a little higher) pace for the season.

he's probs walkin' outta there with lots of digits, too.
- OrangeBlack27

Bill Clement, Cougar Hunter.

Anybody thinks Lavvy should try some new lines?

I have always been a fan of putting Briere and Giroux together but I understood the need for spreading the talent around. However, Briere is coming off of a concussion, Giroux is in a mini-slump. Let Briere play wing with Giroux and Hartnell for a game or two and see if that can start something. They've shown in the past they can be good together. Schenn can play center with Jagr and Simmonds, giving Jagr the opportunity to hold on to the puck and make plays while Schenn can work on playing center and Simmonds can make room for everyone. Other two lines stay the same. Just an idea I have.

Hartnell - Giroux - Briere
Jagr - Schenn - Simmonds
Read - Talbot - Voracek
Sestito - Couturier - Rinaldo

Twenty-one games since returning to action from the concussion against Dallas.
- Jsaquella

I don't think it has anything to do with the concussion. Giroux has habitually struggled at midseason during his still-young NHL career before coming on again. I honestly think he's right on the brink of a huge game, and would not be the least bit surprised if tonight was the night.

From my observations over the years, scoring droughts often go in a cycle something like this:

1) A player gets away from doing the things that made him successful. No one talks about it in the first 3-4 games of the drought, but the player is quite often invisible on the ice in these games.

2) The player himself starts to lose a little confidence, and passes up shots he was taking before. Now he's being asked questions about why he isn't scoring, although the reasons should be obvious if you really look at his recent games.

3) The player focuses on simplifying his game a bit, and the scoring chances start to come again. Unfortunately, few (if any) chances end up in the net, because he's pressing to finish the chances rather than simply reacting.

4) Fans and media are now all over the players' case but it's just a matter of time until the beginning of the next offensive outburst; which often starts by potting a goal early in a game.

I truly think Giroux has been in stage 4 the last couple games. All he needs is to grab one early tonight and both he and the team will loosen up.

bill you inspired me to watch the Dusty Rhodes documentary on Netflex. Forgot how amazing he was. Wish i was old enough to have seen/remembered the pre-polkadot phase.
- Crimsoninja

netflex? that a special wrestling movie database?

he's probs walkin' outta there with lots of digits, too.
- OrangeBlack27

he's still got it imo

netflex? that a special wrestling movie database?
- Don'tForgetTocchet

netflex? that a special wrestling movie database?
- Don'tForgetTocchet

he's still got it imo
- Don'tForgetTocchet

if you don't mind the stench of stale cigars and cognac

Correct, and that's the pace he's on. The torrid first half is being tempered by a lull to start the 2nd half. It will all even out in a likely PPG (or a little higher) pace for the season.
- bradleyc4

I dont mean on the season. For him to have only 4 goals in his last 23 games... thats a huge problem.

For him to be a -4 despite having 60 points is a huge problem.

I don't think it has anything to do with the concussion. Giroux has habitually struggled at midseason during his still-young NHL career before coming on again. I honestly think he's right on the brink of a huge game, and would not be the least bit surprised if tonight was the night.

From my observations over the years, scoring droughts often go in a cycle something like this.

1) A player gets away from doing the things that made him successful. No one talks about it in the first 3-4 games of the drought.

2) The player himself starts to lose a little confidence, and passes up shots he was taking before. Now he's being asked questions about why he isn't scoring, although the reasons should be obvious if you really look at his recent games.

3) The player focuses on simplifying his game a bit, and the scoring chances start to come again. Unfortunately, few (if any) chances end up in the net, because he's pressing to finish the chances rather than simply reacting.

4) Fans and media are now all over the players' case but it's just a matter of time until the beginning of the next offensive outburst; which often starts by potting a goal early in a game.

I truly think Giroux has been in stage 4 the last couple games. All he needs is to grab one early tonight and both he and the team will loosen up.
- bmeltzer

The sheer amount of chances he's generating is very encouraging. Starting with the Devils game, he's been getting so many great chances, that sooner or later one's going to go in and he's going to catch fire again.

He's not forcing things anymore, like he seemed to be doing for awhile. He's taking shots and and creating chances for his teammates off of what he's been doing. When he was struggling, it seemed he was forcing everything and pressing too hard, not that he was suffering any ill effects from his injury.

As soon as retards stop ripping him after a shutout, I'll stop defending him.
- Jsaquella

he's still got it imo
- Don'tForgetTocchet

Now that he regrew the 'stache, sure

I dont mean on the season. For him to have only 4 goals in his last 23 games... thats a huge problem.

For him to be a -4 despite having 60 points is a huge problem.
- jak521

It's just a matter of luck right now. He's getting many glorious scoring chances and just not burying them right now. Bill detailed it nicely a few posts back.

I truly think Giroux has been in stage 4 the last couple games. All he needs is to grab one early tonight and both he and the team will loosen up.
- bmeltzer

I sure hope so, because we need him at the top of his game in order to elevate the team. He has had so many gifts lately (typically they are a sign he is doing the right things) so it should only be a matter of time before he starts potting the points again. I still cannot believe how many open nets, and gimme goals, he has missed over the past 5 or so games.

Twenty-one games since returning to action from the concussion against Dallas.
- Jsaquella

Thought it was tampa?

I am very jealous. I've met a bunch of athletes and I would have to say two of the nicest were Bill Cosby and Sammi Hannu Antero Kapanen
- Deasr1

nicest athlete i've ever met was curtis martin luther king dunlap tire iron sheik

Thought it was tampa?
- funmaster18

First game back was against the stars. 1 G, 3 A

I don't think it has anything to do with the concussion. Giroux has habitually struggled at midseason during his still-young NHL career before coming on again. I honestly think he's right on the brink of a huge game, and would not be the least bit surprised if tonight was the night.


- bmeltzer

I hope it's not tonight but we'll see.

nicest athlete i've ever met was curtis martin luther king dunlap tire iron sheik
- OrangeBlack27

Thought it was tampa?
- funmaster18

Definitely Dallas. Had a four point night and we beat that ass!

nicest athlete i've ever met was curtis martin luther king dunlap tire iron sheik
- OrangeBlack27

*claps*