Claude Giroux... Future of the Flyers?

Its amazing the difference between the 1st and 2ND picks in the NHL draft. In the 2007 NHL Entry Draft the Flyers ended up with the 2ND pick and chose James Van Riemsdyk. The Chicago Blackhawks had the 1st pick and chose Patrick Kane. The difference between the picks has been astonding. Patrick Kane has become one of the top players in the NHL playing with guys like Jonathan Toews and Duncan Keith. JVR has been an okay player but he definitely has not been anything near what the Flyers projected him to be. He has struggled mightily at times and even been benched for a period of time. Meanwhile its been the other young stars on the Flyers that have stepped up and played very well.

Claude Giroux has far and away been the Flyers best rising star during his young career. He was drafted 22ND overall by the Flyers in 2006. Since then he has been not only on of the best up and comers on the Flyers but in the entire NHL. He is the lone Flyer that has been named to the 2011 All Star Game. As of January 18, 2011 he has 17 goals, 22 assists for a total of 39 points. Which is 3rd on the team in goals, assists and points.

On November 8,2010 the Flyers signed Giroux to an extension worth $11.25 million for the next 3 years, which will take him through his RFA period. During the Playoffs of the 2009-2010 season he ended up with 21 points in an outstanding performance which cemented the fact he needed a new deal.

The Flyers have inked other players to deals this year and have more they still need to. Most notably Jeff Carter was signed to a new contract this year even amidst all the trade rumors that had been surrounding him for some time. The one deal they will most definitely get done in the off season will be Ville Leino. The Finnish forward who didn't start playing hockey until age 17 has been a force since coming to Philly from the Dteroit Red Wings on February 6, 2010.

If the young forwards continue to progress the way they are now the Philadelphia Flyers are going to be a force to be reckoned with for the foreseeable future, with what i believe to be a Cup caliber contender for the next 5-10 years with guys like Carter, Briere, Richards, Leino, and most of all Giroux.