Flyers GM Hextall slams captain Giroux in exclusive interview

The Flyers boss was highly critical of his team’s leader, says he needs to be better.

HockeyFeed
HockeyFeed
Published 6 years ago
Flyers GM Hextall slams captain Giroux in exclusive interview
Keystone Press

Philadelphia Flyers general manager Ron Hextall didn’t hold anything back in a two-part, one on one interview series with Philadelphia Courier-Post’s Dave Isaac earlier this week. 

When asked about the declining play and production of the team’s captain and leader Claude Giroux, Hextall was blunt in his assessment. He stressed the need for Giroux to turn his game around in the upcoming season saying, “Claude does need to come back this year and be a better player than he was last year.” There’s no doubt about that. The 29 year-old forward suffered a third straight season on a decline in production in 2016-17, after years of establishing himself as a point-per-game player. What gives?

“He changed his training a little bit this year,” said Hextall. “There’s certain things he’s doing. I think last year the World Cup, in hindsight, was probably the worst thing that could have happened for him because it shortened his rehab/workout window in the summer trying to get over the surgery.”

With the past in the past, what does Hextall think Giroux is capable of this upcoming season? “He knows he’s a better player,” said Hextall. “We know he’s a better player. We’ve got (Valtteri Filppula) for the whole year, (Jordan Weal) for the whole year. We’re gonna be a better top-nine group where he’s gonna have better players on a more consistent basis to play with. There’s no doubt in our minds that he’s gonna bounce back.”

Here’s hoping because the Flyers’ playoff hopes lay in the balance.


Source: Dave Isaac