Claude Giroux: Hall of Fame Worthy?

*This archive was originally written by Colin Newby

Thirteen members of the Hockey Hall of Fame (HHoF) have played for the Philadelphia Flyers at some point during their careers. This list includes legends like Bobby Clarke, Bernie Parent, and Bill Barber. Does one more former Flyers legend belong on the list someday? There is a lot of disagreement regarding Claude Giroux’s Hall of Fame prospects.

The Roenick and Gillies examples show that sometimes, team contribution is just as important as individual achievement. Of course, if a player scores at a Wayne Gretzky or Jaromir Jagr rate, they will make the HHoF regardless of team contribution (for good measure, both also won multiple Stanley Cups). Nonetheless, players like Gretzky and Jagr only come about once or twice a generation. Therefore, most other players will need to make significant contributions to their team’s success.

Roenick helped get his team to the playoffs almost every season, doing so 17 times, but he never won a Cup in his career. Since he was a top player, his lack of Stanley Cup success mainly rides through him, rather than his teammates. Even though he should not be blamed entirely, not ever winning a championship hurt his status.

On the other hand, Gillies served a vital role during his 12 years with the New York Islanders. Though he scored 30 goals multiple times, he knew that he was not expected to be the primary scorer. Rather, he played as a hard-checking power forward and enforcer. He would do the dirty work so that his future HHoF linemates, Mike Bossy and Bryan Trottier, could score. Gillies made his teammates better by doing the dirty work, and he was an essential factor in New York’s four consecutive Stanley Cups from 1980-1983. He was deserving of his HHoF nomination.

You may also like:

• 3 Takeaways From Flyers’ Decisive Game 1 Loss to Hurricanes
• 4 Keys to Flyers Success in 2nd-Round Series vs. Hurricanes
• 3 Takeaways From Flyers’ Series-Clinching Game 6 Win vs. Penguins
• Senators’ Scoring Problem Could Be Solved by Acquiring Flyers’ Michkov
• NHL Rumors: McDavid Injury News, Michkov Future, Cassidy To Canadian Team?

The ideal HHoF candidate will have strong individual achievement and contribute to his team’s success. For a forward, points, All-Star Game appearances, and individual awards are all important. Leadership, team success, and legacy should also play a role in the evaluation process.

What Does Giroux Still Need to Do?

The good news for Giroux is that he’s already compiled impressive individual achievements in his career. He has already recorded more assists than several Hall of Famers, including Mike Bossy, Pat LaFontaine, and Eric Lindros. In the 2010s, only Patrick Kane, Sidney Crosby, and Alexander Ovechkin had more points than the former Flyer.

Although his days in the Hart Trophy conversation are behind him, Giroux played at a high level on a desolate Flyers roster limping through injuries and underperformance in 2021-22. His stint with the Panthers showed the production that could come with a stronger supporting cast, and his time with the Senators has further proven that narrative.

Giroux’s longevity and durability will play in his favor when the voters look back at his career after he finally decides to hang up the skates. If he can continue to compile stats with the same incredible consistency as he has shown throughout his lengthy NHL career, he will give himself a good shot at the HHoF. We’ll just have to watch how the last chapter of his already illustrious career plays out.