Senators Share Giroux’s Possible Interest In Offseason Signing

Bruce Garrioch of The Ottawa Sun recently reported it’s believed the Ottawa Senators could be team that has a serious interest in signing pending UFA and recently-popular trade deadline star Claude Giroux. While Garrioch also suggests the Montreal Canadiens could make a pitch for Giroux, if the newly-acquired Florida Panthers forward tests this summer’s free-agent market, the Senators might be among the favorites.

Related: Claude Giroux Open to Signing With Senators Next Season?

We previously reported that Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman recently noted in his 32 Thoughts column that he believes Giroux — being a local guy — has done a little digging into the idea of signing in Ottawa and potentially finishing out his career there. Friedman didn’t specify how much digging Giroux was doing or how serious his interest might be, only that he’s started considering the possibility of Ottawa as his next NHL home. His exact words were “No guarantee it happens, but I do believe Claude Giroux is doing his research on Ottawa.”

It is now believed the Senators share the same interest in Giroux. Garrioch writes that Ottawa fans are hoping Giroux wins a Stanley Cup with the Panthers and feels like he’s accomplished the one thing he’d not to date in his NHL career. If he wins the big one, he might then feel more inclined to sign with his hometown Senators to finish his playing career.

Garrioch also reports some NHL executives believe Giroux could seek a two-or-three year contract if/when he signs as a free agent. Cap Friendly indicates the Senators have plenty of room to give him a strong deal and could offer somewhere between $6 million and $7-million per season.

If these two find a way to get a deal done, it could really change the way players look at the Senators moving forward. The team has yet to really attract a big-name free agent and Giroux, despite his age, would certainly qualify.

Next: Blackhawks’ Dylan Strome Still a Serious Offseason Trade Candidate