Claude Giroux re-signs with Ottawa Senators for another season
The 38-year-old captain's alternate chooses to stay in the nation's capital after exploring free agency options.
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Claude Giroux has chosen to stay with the Ottawa Senators, signing a one-year extension that will keep the 38-year-old alternate captain in the nation's capital for another season.
Giroux spent the weekend weighing his options after reports suggested he was headed for a reunion with Philadelphia, where he spent 15 years of his career and played 1,000 games. The Toronto Maple Leafs and Edmonton Oilers also expressed interest, with Toronto reportedly offering the biggest contract. Talks between Senators president of hockey operations and general manager Steve Staios and Giroux's agent intensified over the last 24 hours before the deal was finalized Monday night.
Owner Michael Andlauer understood the importance of keeping Giroux in the organization while allowing the veteran to test the market before making a final decision. Staios said before free agency began that the door remained open for Giroux.
"We've stated how much we want him back. We've been unwavering in our message to him, offered him a contract as far back as before the trade deadline, and he wanted to take a look around in free agency, but hasn't closed the door to come back to Ottawa," Staios said.
Giroux has spent the past four years with the Senators since signing as an unrestricted free agent on July 1, 2022. In 337 NHL games with Ottawa, he has 85 goals and 242 points. He is one of the best faceoff men in the league, winning 62 per cent of his draws last season. He is close friends with centre Tim Stutzle and alternate captain Thomas Chabot. The Senators have already traded captain Brady Tkachuk to the Panthers, making Giroux's return particularly significant to the dressing room.
