Who wore the “C” better for the Orange & Black: Mike Richards or Claude Giroux? Richards (2008-2011) was named captain at 23, led the epic 2010 Cup Final run with the historic Boston comeback, and brought relentless two-way grit, shorthanded snipes, and “The Shift” intensity. Giroux (2013-2022), the longest-serving captain in franchise history, racked up 900 points (2nd all-time), delivered his own legendary “The Shift” in 2012, and anchored the team through rebuilds with quiet leadership and unmatched loyalty. Richards had the fiery, clutch playoff spark; Giroux offered elite consistency, longevity, and franchise face status. Who ya got as the better captain, and why? Drop your take below

36 comments

  3. I wasn’t in the room for either… but Mike Richards is my favorite player of all time. Watching a dude my size score, make plays, hit, fight, and lead by example like he did was so fun. G was the more talented player by far, but if I’m taking one of prime Richards or prime G for a game 7… I’m probably taking Richards.

  5. Giroux. He was also insane in the playoffs earlier-midway in his career. That series against the Pens sealed him as the “C” to me. They’re both great, I just had much longer with G.

  7. One lifted the prince of wales and one didn’t. I love G and this organization aggressively failed him. They failed 18 too. That’s my fuckin captain.

  8. Both were great in different ways. Really wished that 2010 team got more than just the 1 year after that run. Truly a special core that didnt last long enough. 

  11. The only way it’s reasonable to say Giroux in this thread is if you were too young to ever see the Richards era. It was the last time we were a blast to watch.

    I will remember until the day I die running out my door and screaming up and down the street when we came back down 3-0 in the series and 3-0 in the game 7 to beat Boston. I still get goosebumps just thinking about it.

    Prime Mike Richards is every single thing you want in a hockey player.

  12. Richards won literally everything a player can win in hockey. He played the game exactly how every player is taught to, everywhere on the ice and in every situation. He always rose to the occasion. Both are two of my favorite players of all-time, but you take prime Richards as your C if it’s a forced choice.

  13. Richards was that dude. Won at every level. NHL record holder for most shorthanded goals scored at 5-on-3. Captains don’t have to be your most talented player on the team.

  14. Richy acted more like a captain on the ice. G was the better player on the ice.

    I wasn’t ever in the locker room when being the captain mattered, so your guess is as good as mine!?

  16. Giroux. Pronger was the glue that really held the 2010 EC Champs room together. Richards was a hard nosed player but he was pretty much exclusively a leads by example captain. Pronger as the alternate captain was the one that actually held teammates accountable. Richards was also not a great interview with media. Like it or not that is part of the captaincy.

    Giroux led by example, was vocal with other teammates, and represented himself better in the media than Richards ever did. Other than one drunken mishap of grabbing a Cop’s butt incident offseason while home in Ottawa, he mostly stayed out of off ice drama.

  17. Overall maturity and supporting teammates, definitely G.
    Richard’s would have thrown a lot more hissy fits if he played on the teams where G wore the C.

    Guy deserved better from the team and from fans.

  19. Apparently Richards was a huge asshole behind the scenes to staff and his fragile ego was threatened by Prongers presence

  24. G was the better player but Richie was an all around physical player which pretty much defined being a Flyers captain so I go with 18.

  25. I lost all respect for G when he had to do a press conference for the new jersey in mid summer. It was at the top of Liberty One. He demanded a car so he didn’t have to walk the 3 blocks from his apartment in midtown, showed up 1/2 late with alcohol on his breath. That is not captain behavior but then again Richard off the ice-hmmmmm.

  26. Love both, but I think Richards did. Dood was a beast. 5’9” maybe but played like 6’3”. 

  32. Mike Richards, hands down. Giroux might have better offensive stats but he notoriously disappeared in the playoffs. I believe they ultimately gave G the C because he was their best player by a wide margin but leader? Nah.

  34. I’m 50 and saw both often.

    I hadn’t seen a captain like Richards since Dave Poulin. If Richie’s off-ice habits hadn’t derailed him he could have been the best of Flyers history.

    I love G and he is one of the Flyer’s greats as far as talent, but I always saw him as “Captain By Default”. That’s what Coots is, now.

    So I say Richards over Giroux. Richards made you want to run through a brick wall for him every fucking shift. I only felt that with G a couple of times, and only in big games.

    Again, this is not a knock on G. It’s more an indictment of the Flyers organization the last 15 years.

    And while G’s “shift” was amazing, [Richie’s will live on-loop in my brain forever.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bs_3PeQQUxc)

  35. They both were “lead by example” captains and both did a great job. Richards had a far better team to work with.

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