Claude Giroux Talks About His Future in Ottawa

Going into his 18th NHL season on an expiring contract, Claude Giroux has opened up about the possibility of whether he'd look to sign an extension this summer with the Ottawa Senators.

Speaking on the Coming in Hot podcast, Giroux says he hasn't even given any thought to re-upping in Ottawa at this point or even chatting with management about it.

No, we haven't had a chat. I haven't really thought about it to be honest. My main focus right now is on having a good year with the Sens and taking that next step... I don't need those distractions right now. I haven't really talked to my agent about it or even my wife. It's not something on my mind right now.

Giroux arrived in Ottawa—the closest team to his Northern Ottawa birthplace—in 2022 after 15 years with the Philadelphia Flyers and half a season with the Florida Panthers. And all he did in his first season with the Senators was set a new career-best with 35 goals (along with 44 assists for 79 points). This year, he recorded his 11th 20-goal season. His durability, always a strong suit in his long career, has been another bonus, as he's played in all 82 games in both years in Ottawa.

But the team success was once again lacking, as the Sens finished near the bottom of the Eastern Conference, once again, missing the playoffs. That has to be a disappointment to the 17-year veteran looking to play the back-end of his career on a winning note.

"We're a team that's going to be super motivated" to break their playoff drought this coming season. The Senators haven't made the postseason since 2017. A playoff berth could make the difference in whether Giroux wants to remain in Ottawa past next season.