Giroux Still Wants to Play — and Ottawa Should Listen
Ottawa hockey circles are buzzing after reports confirmed that veteran forward Claude Giroux wants to return for another NHL season, and there's a compelling argument that the Senators should be the ones to bring him back.
Giroux, who turned 38 in January, has never been the flashiest name in the headlines, but his value to a dressing room and a power play unit is the kind of thing that doesn't show up cleanly on a stat sheet — at least not until he's gone.
What Giroux Still Brings to the Table
Let's be clear: this isn't a nostalgia argument. Giroux logged another productive season and has shown no dramatic drop-off in effectiveness at even strength or on the man advantage. For a Senators team that has been building steadily around young core pieces like Tim Stützle, Brady Tkachuk, and Drake Batherson, a wily veteran who can quarterback a power play and mentor younger forwards is exactly the kind of complementary piece that doesn't come cheap on the open market.
Giroux is also a known commodity in Ottawa's locker room. That culture fit matters — particularly for a franchise that has worked hard to rebuild its identity after some lean years. Chemistry is a real thing, and asking Giroux to continue in a role he already understands within this system is low-risk.
The Contract Question
The sticking point, as always, is term and dollars. Giroux won't command top-line money at this stage of his career, and a one- or two-year deal at a reasonable cap number makes sense for both sides. The Senators have some flexibility to work with as they manage their cap heading into the offseason, and a short-term commitment to Giroux carries minimal downside.
If he's productive, great. If he isn't, the contract expires and Ottawa moves on without being handcuffed.
The Mentorship Angle
There's also the less tangible but very real value of what Giroux brings off the ice. Young players on Ottawa's roster are still developing — and having a player with Giroux's experience (over 1,100 NHL games) in the room every day has a compounding effect on a team's culture and compete level.
Captain Brady Tkachuk leads by example with his intensity, but veterans like Giroux provide a different kind of leadership: the calm, experienced voice that helps younger players process both wins and losses without getting too high or too low.
Should the Sens Pull the Trigger?
The short answer is yes — if the price is right. Ottawa is in a window where winning matters, and Giroux still helps them win. He's not a luxury addition; he's a practical one. The Senators have the cap space, the need, and a player who already wants to be there.
For a franchise that spent years in rebuild mode, having veterans knocking on your door to come back is a good problem to have. Ottawa should make the call.
Source: Ottawa Citizen / Google News
