Analyzing How Claude Giroux's Injury Is Affecting Flyers Training Camp

The Philadelphia Flyers lost their captain on the first day of training camp last week. Claude Giroux suffered a "lower-body injury" which would keep him on the shelf for at least two weeks. While that would get Giroux back in the lineup right about at the start of the regular season, it still has a definite effect on the Flyers both in the short run and over the long haul.

First, if Giroux is not skating in camp or playing in preseason games, the Flyers cannot audition players to fill the third and final spot on the top line alongside the captain and Jakub Voracek. Obviously, the best way to tell who is the best fit on the top line is to give each candidate ice time with Giroux and Voracek and see who has chemistry with the top duo. That plan is now on hold.

This makes it more likely that coach Craig Berube may continue to experiment with various combinations throughout the early part of the regular season. That may slow down the Flyers offense.

Giroux's absence from the lineup also opens up the issue of a potential slow start to the season for Philadelphia's captain. As a result of two or more weeks of inactivity, Giroux may not be in top game shape at the start of the season.

Last year, Giroux was only able to play in one preseason game after he suffered a finger injury. He struggled to score early in the regular season, and the result was a slow start for the Flyers offense. The captain didn't score his first goal until the 16th game of the season. The team won just four of its first 15 games in large part due to Giroux's slow start.

Meanwhile, in the short term, Berube has moved Brayden Schenn back to center to take Giroux's place on the top unit. 

"It’s good that Schenner gets reps in the middle, too, because there’s a good chance he’ll play center at some point,” Berube told Tim Panaccio of CSNPhilly.com.

Chris Szagola/Associated Press

In the modern NHL, fewer teams have set lines over the course of a complete season. Coaches tend to change their units based on injures, scoring slumps and streaks and matchups against various opponents. Giving Schenn extra playing time at center during the preseason could produce a long-term benefit and make sure he's more comfortable when he is called upon to fill in there.

Schenn insists he is comfortable playing either position.

"I’ve got to be ready for whatever is thrown at me," Schenn told Panaccio. "I’m a versatile guy who can play center or wing and I feel comfortable at both. I’ve had enough reps and games at left wing and I’ve played center my whole career."

This also allowed Berube to put together a line of Jason Akeson, Vincent Lecavalier and R.J. Umberger. Lecavalier is more comfortable at center, and Berube sees potential for a Akeson-Lecavalier combination.

"I got to look at Akeson with Lecavalier which is always of interest to me to see because [Akeson] passes the puck well and Vinny is a finisher,” Berube told Panaccio.

The injury to Giroux also gives Berube an opportunity to take an extended look at rookie center Scott Laughton, the club's top-rated prospect.

Matt Rourke/Associated Press

"Hopefully I get in a couple exhibition games," Laughton told Sarah Baicker of CSNPhilly.com. "I don’t know what’s going to happen yet, but hopefully I can show what I can do there and then we’ll see what happens.”

Laughton is still expected to start his first full professional season in the AHL, but getting extra ice time in camp and in preseason games can only give him more confidence when he does get the call to join the Flyers.

It also gives him more of a chance to make an impression on the coaching staff before this season starts.

In the final analysis, the short-term absence of Giroux will certainly be tough on the Flyers, especially if it extends into the regular season. But there could be some long-term benefits as well.