The Ottawa Senators are keeping one of their most respected veterans in the fold.
According to Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Citizen, the Senators are closing in on a one-year contract with Claude Giroux that will keep the 38-year-old in Canada’s capital. The deal is expected to carry a $2 million base salary with up to $3 million available in performance bonuses, including incentives tied to games played and playoff success. Negotiations reportedly intensified over the past 24 hours before the two sides moved toward an agreement.
While Giroux could have tested free agency and likely drawn interest from Stanley Cup contenders, remaining in Ottawa always appeared to be the most logical outcome. His family has deep roots in the Ottawa area, and since signing with the Senators in 2022, he has embraced both the organization and the community. Just as importantly, Ottawa has finally taken meaningful steps toward becoming a legitimate playoff team, giving Giroux an opportunity to continue chasing a Stanley Cup without uprooting his family.
Betting on Ottawa’s Young Core
The Senators have spent years building around Tim Stützle, Thomas Chabot, Jake Sanderson, Shane Pinto and Dylan Cozens, and that core has begun to show it can compete in meaningful games. Rather than joining another contender late in his career, Giroux appears to believe Ottawa’s window to win is only beginning.
His willingness to accept another bonus-laden one-year contract also gives general manager Steve Staios valuable salary cap flexibility. Instead of committing long-term dollars to a player entering his age-39 season, the Senators retain one of their most important leaders while preserving room to continue improving the roster.
It’s a contract structure that benefits both sides. Giroux gets the opportunity to earn more through bonuses if he remains productive, while Ottawa minimizes long-term risk.
Leadership That Can’t Be Replaced
Although Giroux’s offensive numbers have naturally declined from his prime, he remains one of the NHL’s most dependable two-way forwards. Last season, he recorded 14 goals and 49 points while appearing in all 82 regular-season games. He continued to play in every situation, taking key faceoffs, contributing on both special teams and serving as an alternate captain.
His biggest impact, however, extends well beyond the scoresheet.
Few players in the league possess Giroux’s experience. With well over 1,300 NHL games played, he has become an invaluable mentor for Ottawa’s young stars. Players like Stützle, Pinto and Ridly Greig continue to benefit from watching how Giroux prepares, practices and competes every night.
Those qualities become even more valuable as the Senators transition from a rebuilding club into one with legitimate playoff expectations.
A Perfect Fit for One More Season
Giroux is no longer expected to carry a first line offensively, but he remains an ideal middle-six forward capable of moving throughout the lineup when needed. His hockey IQ, puck protection and ability to make plays in tight spaces still make him an effective complement alongside Ottawa’s skilled forwards.
Whether he’s playing on the second or third line, Giroux gives head coach Travis Green another trusted veteran capable of stabilizing younger linemates while contributing offensively. Just as importantly, he remains a calming presence during high-pressure moments—something every playoff contender values.
With Ottawa looking to build on last season’s progress, bringing back Giroux was one of the organization’s most sensible moves of the offseason. The contract is affordable, the fit remains obvious, and his leadership continues to be an essential part of the Senators’ identity. For a team trying to take the next step toward Stanley Cup contention, keeping Giroux in Ottawa may end up being one of its most important offseason decisions.
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