Claude Giroux became a Philadelphia Flyers legend with recording 900 points in 1,000 games. In the middle of the 2021-22 season, the Flyers traded Giroux to the Florida Panthers.
In July 2022, Giroux signed a three-year contract with the Ottawa Senators. Excitement was buzzing with Giroux signing. After three seasons, Giroux became a free agent this past Summer.
Despite tough negotiations and talks, Giroux re-signed with the Senators before free agency frenzy began. Re-signing Giroux was a top priority for the Senators to keep the team's 2025 playoff team together for next season. Giroux recently revealed one thing about returning to the Senators.
Giroux wanted to be in Ottawa
Giroux recently made a guest appearance on the Coming In Hot Senators Podcast. During the episode, free agency was talked about with Giroux re-signing in Ottawa. However, Giroux made it clear about his desire to return to Ottawa.
"I wanted to be here," Giroux said. "So, no, I didn't think it would not happen."
The hard part about sports is it can be business decisions when it comes to signing players to a team. Giroux revealed that negotiation can be tough. Giroux made $6.5 million per year over the past three seasons, but the newest contract he signed was a one-year contract at $2 million. However, Giroux will have bonuses in his contract this season based on games played and playoff success.
There were earlier rumors in June that Giroux was willing to consider signing with the Montreal Canadiens. However, Giroux claimed he wasn't "entertained" by the Canadiens enough to sign. Giroux admitted that he grew up a Canadiens fan.
Less than a week before he signed, the Senators may have teased that things were positive with Giroux when the Senators made a Bonne St-Jean post with Giroux included in the post with David Perron and Thomas Chabot. Then on June 29, Giroux re-signed in Ottawa.
With re-singing in Ottawa, the Senators' chances for success in 2025-26 are bigger. Giroux has recorded 193 points in 245 games played with the Senators.
Giroux was a big part to the Senators making the 2025 playoffs. Giroux's 50 points was the fourth most on the Senators roster. Giroux then carried his strong play into the playoffs with his five points being tied for the second most on the Senators during the 2025 playoffs with Tim Stutzle. Giroux has brought tremendous leadership to the Senators since joining.
Under two months are away from the Senators' season opener on the road against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Oct. 9. With Giroux back, excitement in Ottawa is growing to another successful regular season.