NHL Rumors: Ottawa Senators Going Hard After Claude Giroux

The Ottawa Senators want to be taken seriously this summer and management is looking to turn some heads on July 13. Word is the team is ready to offer free-agent veteran Claude Giroux a multi-year contract as soon as the market opens.

Giroux is from the area and has been linked to the team as soon as it was known he'd be leaving Philadelphia. While his trade vision was to win a Stanley Cup, now his attention turns to contract offers coming his way next week. The Senators are done rebuilding and solely focusing on saving money and adding young talent and are looking to make a splash this summer. Giroux would be a great fit for their young forwards and is someone who is versatile and a proven leader in the NHL.

Ottawa currently has $23.2 million in cap space available, lots of resources to make a deal work. Giroux is expected to sign something around a three-year deal worth $6.5 million annually. The 34-year-old joined the Florida Panthers last season and recorded 23 points in 18 regular season games and another eight points in 10 Stanley Cup Playoff games. The Panthers would love to have Giroux back but to this point appear to have their hands tied financially. If they can find a suitor for Sergei Bobrovsky, look for management to reach out to Giroux about a return.

As for the Senators, they have been linked to Giroux, John Klingberg of the Dallas Stars and Nazem Kadri of the Colorado Avalanche, who are all set to hit the open market in less than 10 days.

Friedman writes about the Sens in 32T:

-Sens 1st RD pick (7th OA) is available, they are believed to be targeting upgrades on RD and RW.
-Will they be able to sign Claude Giroux in UFA?
— NHL Watcher (@NHL_Watcher) July 3, 2022

David Pagnotta linked the Senators to Claude Giroux, Nazem Kadri and Ryan Strome in his article today. Says Giroux will almost certainly be leaving Florida.
— Everyday Sens (@EverydaySens) July 2, 2022