The 2008-09 postseason, even though it consisted of one series, was a chance for Giroux to show a glimpse of how dominant he will be in his prime.
The orange and the black have made the postseason in 14 of the last 15 seasons. Over 15 years, that number is tied only by the New Jersey Devils and beaten only by the Detroit Red Wings.
Every year the Flyers have someone who stands out in the playoffs. Even in first round exits the Flyers have had a hero, usually an unlikely one, who made his presence known in the playoffs.
Last year it was Claude Giroux. The year before it was RJ Umberger who dominated the Canadiens. In 2006, it was Peter Forsberg. Back in the last year before the lockout, Keith Primeau became a legend.
Of course, back in 2000 it was our very own Brian Boucher.
Unlikely or not, there will be someone who leaves everything on the ice for a chance at a Stanley Cup. So who will it be now?
Claude Giroux
Giroux made the soon-to-be Stanley Cup champions look foolish last year, but is he a deadly postseason performer every year? Well, back in 2007-08, when he was a 20-year-old playing in the QMJHL playoffs, he carried his Gatineau Olympiques to a championship while winning the Guy Lafleur Trophy for postseason MVP. He did this to the tune of 17 goals and 34 assists for 51 points in 19 games. Only one player got more in 19 or less games. That man’s name is Mario Lemieux. Needless to say, Giroux’s 2.68 PPG average during that playoff run became the stuff of legend, as did his Gordie Howe Hat Trick last year. Could he be the 2010 Flyers’ playoff MVP?
Mike Richards
Through a torrent of largely undeserved media dramatics, Richards has quietly dominated the ice since the end of the Olympics. Granted, his presence was not always felt on the score sheet, but on the ice he has been a legitimate factor. He is leading by example regardless of how many feel about the media’s blatant speculations. This year, unlike last postseason, both of his shoulders are healthy. He’s a proven leader and winner having performed extremely well while taking his OHL team to the very to of Canadian Junior Hockey, while taking the Phantoms to their 2nd Calder Cup, and while journeying with Team Canada to a Gold Medal. Richards thrives in high pressure on the ice. Can he dominate the NHL playoffs this year?
Chris Pronger
With 51 points in postseason play since the lockout, Chris Pronger just beats out Nicklas Lidstrom as the top offensive defenseman in the playoffs in the new era NHL. This year he has the kind of season where he has a right to expect a little love from those deciding on who gets the Norris Trophy, but for Pronger, the playoffs are a new beast. He picked the first New York game of this last home-and-home to have his worst game of the year. You can’t fault him for that, but he came out the next game, with the season on the line, and took over. Gaborik was a non-factor. That’s what he does. He’s carried an 8th seed to the Stanley Cup Finals before. Can he carry this team?
Danny Briere
This man lives and breathes postseason. It wasn’t until this past year that Sidney Crosby passed Briere’s post-lockout glory of being the top scoring forward in the playoffs in the new-era NHL. He brings the offensive game in the postseason and leaves everything on the ice. As critical as people have been about his contract, this is why he was brought here. He’s quietly had very good outings for the Flyers in the playoffs since joining the team. Is this when Briere opens the floodgates?
Who will it be? Could it be a Flyers’ home-town favorite in Gagne?
Or Carter who has stepped up his game when the team needed it the most all season?
Or maybe someone we don’t expect like Hartnell or Carcillo?
Maybe even Boucher again?
Here’s the postseason depth chart. You make the decision.
Gagne -- Richards -- Carcillo
Hartnell -- Carter -- Briere
vanRiemsdyk -- Giroux -- Asham
Powe -- Betts -- Laperriere
Pyorala -- Kalinski -- Leino
Laliberte - Nodl -- Cote
Pronger -- Carle
Timonen -- Coburn
Parent -- Krajicek
Bartilus -- Syvret
Lehtivuori -- Marshall
Boucher
Duchesne
(Backlund)
(Leighton)
