Claude Giroux vs Vincent Lecavalier

[Play]

With recent news it got me thinking back to days of Vinny Lecavalier, and how effective he was.

My question fellow hockey fans is, who would you add to your current team; 20 year old Giroux or 20 year old Lecavalier?

Keep in mind each players peak and prime and bring that into your decision.
Also yes Vinny has the size and goalscoring ability, but Giroux never played with a player like Martin St. Louis (Congratulations on your new job Mr St. Louis )



Claude Giroux averages from age 20 to 30
Goals per game: .28
Assists per game: .64
Points per game: .93

Vincent Lecavalier averages from age 20 to 30
Goals per game: .40
Assists per game: .49
Points per game: .90

Click to read more...

 

[Gurglesons]

Giroux. Defensive work was wonderful when he was younger.

 

[MorgantiDrinksBlood]

Giroux. Defensive work was wonderful when he was younger.

He's still very good defensively and a faceoff monster, although he's mostly on the wing these days.

 

[Gurglesons]

He's still very good defensively and a faceoff monster, although he's mostly on the wing these days.

Agreed. Giroux to the Pens. Giroux - Malkin - Carter

 

[MorgantiDrinksBlood]

Agreed. Giroux to the Pens. Giroux - Malkin - Carter

This would make me drink more than the current Flyers already do. At this rate I might not see my mid 30's.

 

[The Macho King]

I love Vinny.

I think this is Giroux though.

 

[AvroArrow]

6'4 Lecavalier

 

[OneSniffTwoSniff]

Vinny L AINEC

 

[Dutronc]

Vinny.
Big power center sniper is the thing for me. Insane playoff in 2004.
After phenomenal WC he went off to be top3 center in the league with Crosby and Jumbo Joe for 4 year.

 

[Dutronc]

love the guys! Hope Giroux win a cup at some point

 

[Felidae]

Here's how they compare.

Claude Giroux

Point finishes: 2, 3, 3, 10
PPG: 2, 6, 7
Hart finishes: 3, 4, 4, 16
Selke: 14, 16, 19, 25, 28, 38



Vincent Lecavelier

Point finishes: 3, 6
PPG: 4
Goal: 1, 9
Gpg: 1, 10
Selke finishes: 41
Hart: 4, 17


At their peak (best single season) I think you can make an argument for Lecavelier. He was the far better goal scorer and brought a physical element that Giroux didn't.

But Giroux is still the better Point producer and seems to be the better defensive player.

Prime though? It's clearly Giroux. Lecavelier never had a season close to the level of his rocket richard win. Giroux has been top 3 in points 3 times and in each of those seasons he was a Hart finalist or close to it.

I think I'll give this one to Giroux.

 

[Lemonlimey]

Good poll. Feels like Lecavelier, but he also had more hype in his draft. When you say to keep in mind “peak and prime”, I’m not sure the distinction. Is it accurate Giroux’s been more durable?

 

[ThatsSoSlavin]

Good poll. Feels like Lecavelier, but he also had more hype in his draft. When you say to keep in mind “peak and prime”, I’m not sure the distinction. Is it accurate Giroux’s been more durable?

Even keeping in mind vinnys peak I’d still take G imo

 

[Lemonlimey]

Even keeping in mind vinnys peak I’d still take G imo

Looked it up, remarkable consistency. Mr Flyer.

 

[NJ DevLolz]

Vinny was ruined by injuries but he was the better player. G better career

 

[Nathaniel Skywalker]

If you just asked me plain n simple who is better at playing the sport of hockey. It's Lecavalier. But giroux had the better career

 

[David Suzuki]

Lecavalier was the better player

 

[KoozNetsOff 92]

Giroux. Lecavalier had 1 great season, 1 good season and then nothing.

 

[Machinehead]

I voted for Lecavalier. I think people forget that he played a lot of his best years when the NHL had soccer scores.

 

[1865]

If it's one year or peak you take Vinny. If it's career you take Giroux. I don't see any room for debate here.

 

[1865]

I voted for Lecavalier. I think people forget that he played a lot of his best years when the NHL had soccer scores.

The average goal per game in the NHL during LeCavalier's career was 2.76. For Giroux's career it is 2.85. Just over 7 extra goals per team per season, hardly a gulf.

 

[Machinehead]

The average goal per game in the NHL during LeCavalier's career was 2.76. For Giroux's career it is 2.85. Just over 7 extra goals per team per season, hardly a gulf.

But did I say career?

 

[1865]

But did I say career?

Lecavalier's best season was 06/07 during which season scoring was the fifth highest of the last 25 years.

 

[Hockeyholic]

Both at their best? Vinny.

Entire career? Giroux

 

[Machinehead]

Lecavalier's best season was 06/07 during which season scoring was the fifth highest of the last 25 years.

Yes, but that's still ignoring seven seasons before that and most forwards peak around 21-23 offensively. There's no question he played his healthiest seasons in a low-scoring NHL.

Giroux played through the second DPE and was only averaging about 71 points per season. We forget about that because scoring spiked again and Giroux, to his credit, had more longevity.

It's close and I see the case for Giroux, but I think it's a poor characterization of Lecavalier's career to say he had one great season.