Even with nearly a week off for van Riemsdyk and Briere, there is no way of telling whether the break will be beneficial for them.
"Who knows?" general manager Paul Holmgren said yesterday. "I don't know how you measure progress with these things. I could say he's better today but I don't know how he's going to feel tomorrow."
None of the Flyers' four injured players will benefit from the break as much as Claude Giroux, even though he won't be getting much of a break, as one of the four Flyers heading to Ottawa for the All-Star weekend festivities.
No player on the roster has gripped his stick as tightly as Giroux since Christmas. Giroux has gone the last 14 games with just one goal.
This past weekend, Giroux posted five assists on linemate Scott Hartnell's five goals. For most, that would be a career highlight. Young teammate Brayden Schenn doesn't have five assists in his 28-game career.
For Giroux, the uneasiness lingers. While he admitted the weekend was "better" - the Flyers picked up three of a possible four points against the Devils and Bruins - Giroux said he "still needs to build from there."
That's why the All-Star break's timing is impeccable for Giroux. So is the location. Anywhere other than Ottawa, where he maintains his offseason residence and where his family and friends have permanently migrated, and the weekend - jam-packed with sponsorship, league and business obligations - might have bogged down Giroux even more.
Take Friday, for instance, when Giroux is tabbed as the lone presenter for Bauer's new, revolutionary helmet, designed to minimize blows to the head and potential concussions. In Tampa Bay or Denver, that would be the start of a long day. Instead, Giroux will enjoy the day with his closest confidants.
