Today showed some optimism surrounding the injuries that have plagued the Flyers recently. Not only did Giroux make the trip to Denver, Colorado but he participated in team skate and practice today at the Pepsi Center. Wearing a yellow non-contact jersey, Giroux was reportedly taking part in all drills. It is a tremendous sign for the Flyers who have now been without Giroux for three games.
Still the NHL’s leader in points (although he’s now tied with Toronto’s Phil Kessel), Giroux remains out indefinitely after a concussion he sustained on Dec. 10 against Tampa Bay. In the second period of that game, teammate Wayne Simmonds accidentally kneed Giroux in the back of the head, attempting to jump over him.
His return to the ice is a pleasant surprise, considering as recently as Friday that the star center wasn’t able to string two “good” days together back-to-back. Paul Holmgren has reported “Since the initial incident against Tampa, he has felt good at times, but there’s other times, in his words, ‘I just don’t feel right’ ; So until he feels right for a whole day and we get to the next day and he feels good another day, it is what it is. He’s not gonna be back in there.”
Although, this may be a quick turnaround for the young star it is still unclear as to when he will make his return to the line-up. The first step has been taken today by practicing and the next step would to be getting into practice without the yellow jersey. Either way you look at this, it is a good sign for Giroux, the Flyers and all the fans of the NHL.