Claude Giroux, Philadelphia Flyers
Apr 13, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Flyers center Claude Giroux (28) smiles from the ice against the Carolina Hurricanes during the first period at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
It was a tumultuous season for the Captain of the Flyers, Claude Giroux. Starting with an off-season finger injury that occurred while golfing that required surgery and didn’t allow him to get out of the blocks early. He didn’t score in his first 16 games as the Flyers stumbled out of the gate, and that was one of the main reasons for the controversial Olympic Snub from Hockey Canada.
However, whether that was a motivating factor or not, Giroux still managed to set career high in goals with 28 and he finished third in scoring with 86 points as the Flyers overcame the early struggles to get the third seed in the Metropolitan Division.
He is a first time nominee for both Awards.