he also says matt duchene is the best player in the nhl
I wouldn't be surprised to see him snubbed after the idiocy that prevailed in the Team USA selection talk, but he definitely deserves to be on it. Picked up the point production in a major way after a bad start to where he has his reputation back (sort of speak) and his production over the last few seasons is elite. He's also one of the few guys that can put up that kind of production but also has experience at both wing and center at the NHL level. I wouldn't describe him as a high-end defensive player, but he's definitely got enough two-way ability and enough PK experience to be more versatile then a lot of the candidates.
Most of the Canadian bubble guys are versatile forwards that have experience killing penalties. If Giroux makes the Canadian team, he will be one of many guys that can fill more than one role.
Couture, Sharp, Marleau, Bergeron, St. Louis, even Richards and Carter are all potential Canadian fowards that could kill penalties or play defensive roles. All, except Bergeron, have played multiple forward positions in the NHL, as well. Plus, that list doesn't include Toews and Getzlaf, who are locks for Canada, and can kill penalties.
PROJECTED FORWARDS
Patrick Sharp Sidney Crosby Eric Staal
Matt Duchene Jonathan Toews Rick Nash
Jamie Benn Ryan Getzlaf Corey Perry
Logan Couture John Tavares Martin St. Louis
Patrice Bergeron Claude Giroux
I would leave Nash and Staal home
https://twitter.com/RandyJMiller24m
#Devils DeBoer on #Flyers Giroux: "I'm a big fan. He's one of the top 5-10 guys in the world for me ... That's my 2 cents."
32m
#Devils coach DeBoer said he thinks of #Flyers Giroux as a "top 5-10 player in the world."
#devils coach DeBoer on report #Flyers Giroux won't make Canada Olympic team "Wow!!!"
DeBoer at the morning skate today (through Randy Miller):
#devils coach DeBoer on report #Flyers Giroux won't make Canada Olympic team "Wow!!!"
https://twitter.com/RandyJMiller
oh well..
G can rest up and come back for the remainder of the season and tear it up...win for the Flyers