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Claude Giroux
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What is wrong with Claude Giroux? Is there lingering effects from his second concussion of his professional career?
Since #28 came back from his concussion on December 21st, he's had 2-goals and 9-assists with a plus/minus of -9. If you don't count the Dallas game (his first game back), his totals are 1-goal and 6-assists in 12-games.
Players go through streaks like this regularly, though it just strikes me that this happened at an odd time for Claude. I notice he's been missing his passes more and more. Last night against the Isles he was caught skating around in the defensive zone on more than a couple of occasions. He and Jagr had a team high rating of minus-3. I counted at least four times where he either fell or was knocked off his skates.
He even dropped the gloves with an AHL'er because he was frustrated (or tried sparking the team, which didn't happen). He's not the same player who graced the Top 3 in scoring all season until the last couple of weeks.
So, what's changed? Injuries to Jaromir Jagr hurts the rhythm of the line, but if you're truly one of the best players in the world (which G is), you should make the players around you better, whether he's playing alongside Jagr, Hartnell, Matt Read or a mop.
In my opinion, Giroux is stressing, he's trying to carry this team and he's trying to do too much. He should SHOOT THE PUCK MORE. This is nothing new, the guy always looks pass first. Unless he decides to be selfish on occasion, he won't be elite in this League.
Like I said, I know this is a slump -- the greatest players of all time go through them, but is it just a coincidence that this happened after the concussion? I really hope so.
DISCLAIMER- Send all hate mail to Mike.DeNicola@yahoo.com (Okay this email doesn't exist)
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