NHL Rumors: Claude Giroux's Potential Next Destination

According to Elliotte Friedman, Claude Giroux is "doing his research" on the Ottawa Senators before he hits free agency this summer.

Although Giroux was just traded to the Florida Panthers, there's a very good chance that this will just be a rental situation. The longtime Flyers captain is a pending UFA, and it's hard to see how Florida would be able to fit him into the lineup long-term due to their limited cap space. Thus, there's a good chance we will see him hit the open market, and Ottawa seems like a true possible destination for him.

It's also important to note that Giroux moved to Ottawa as a teenager, so it is a very familiar location to the 34-year-old forward. This fact has also had the forward linked to the Senators in previous years, but he has yet to play there. Perhaps that will change this summer.

Yet, before Giroux hits the free-agent market, he has a major objective at hand with the Panthers - helping them win the Stanley Cup.