DETROIT â When Eric Lindros returned to Philadelphia for his jersey retired in late January, he and current Flyers captain Claude Giroux were photographed several times in private conversation.
Giroux is in his fifth season as Flyers captain, one short of the six Lindros served and two short of Bobby Clarkeâs franchise mark of seven seasons. Like Lindros, he has felt the thrill of a long playoff run and the sting of falling a few games short of a Cup. While never the lightning rod that 88 was, especially towards the bitter ending here, Giroux has also been subjected to his share of criticism by media and fans alike, especially when injuries limited his productivity over the previous two seasons.
So, did he give Giroux any advice about handling any of that?
âI wouldnât tell you if he did,â Giroux said with a smile.
Giroux, of course has silenced many critics with a season that potentially could be his best. Entering Tuesdayâs game against the Red Wings, Giroux had 26 goals and 58 assists for 84 points â nine short of his career high, set in 2011-12.
He was also tied for fifth with Lindros on the Flyers all-time scoring list, notching his 659th career point with an assist in Sundayâs 6-3 victory over Washington.
Zack Hill / Philadelphia Flyers
The feat wasnât lost on him. âIt does,â when asked if ultimately passing him on the list meant something to him. âJust for what heâs done for the organization and how successful he was with the Flyers. Obviously Iâve had a lot more games. But still, to be able to pass him is pretty special.â
Including Tuesday nightâs game, Giroux, 30, has played an even 730 NHL games over 10 seasons, all with the Flyers. Before his career was derailed by a series of concussions, Lindros notched his 659 points in just 483 games with the Flyers over his eight-year tenure with the team.
He was 28 when he was traded to the Rangers prior to the 2001-2002 season.
Most points, Flyers history
Entering Tuesdayâs game at Detroit
| 1. | Bobby Clarke | 1,210 |
| 2. | Bill Barber | 883 |
| 3. | Brian Propp | 849 |
| 4. | Rick MacLeish | 697 |
| t5. | Eric Lindros | 659 |
| t5. | Claude Giroux | 659 |
| 7. | Tim Kerr | 650 |
| 8. | John LeClair | 643 |
| 9. | Mark Recchi | 627 |
| 10. | Rod BrindâAmour | 601 |
Giroux is 30, and his rebirth this season as a productive left wing bodes well for his future. Two short of his career high in goals, he is less banged up at this critical time of the season than he has been in several seasons, and it now looks like he will be around for when Ron Hextallâs youth movement really sprouts over the next few seasons â a true veteran who knows the joys of wearing the C on the Flyers sweater â and the heat that comes with it.
âObviously thereâs expectations anywhere you go,â he said before Tuesdayâs game. âObviously Philly, theyâre one of the cities that are most passionate. With that a lot of expectations comes when you play for the Flyers. But thatâs good.â
Breakaways
Michael Rafflâs upper body injury (two weeks) ended his brief stint on the first line. As expected, Travis Konecny moved back up to the right side with Sean Couturier and Claude Giroux⦠A healthy scratch in the Flyers previous two games, Jori Lehtera was on the fourth line with Scott Laughton and Matt Read ⦠Of Valtteriâs Filppulaâs 11 goals this season, four have decided the outcome.
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