The Ottawa Senators are closing in on a playoff spot for the first time since 2017 ahead of their game tonight at 7 p.m. ET at Nationwide Arena against the Columbus Blue Jackets in Columbus, Ohio.
If Senators win or if the Red Wings lose in any fashion to the Montreal Canadiens, the Senators will clinch a playoff spot. The Senators can still get in even if they lose, but as long as the Red Wings lose.
As this season has been special, it's hard to not look down the road at the future upcoming free agents the Senators will have. Two of Ottawa's biggest free agents have already been projected what contracts they will sign when free agency hits in the Summer.
Giroux and Gaudette, two top 50 free agents this Summer, have both been projected their next contract
This past Thursday, Frank Seravalli of Daily Faceoff wrote an article titled "Future $14 million man Mitch Marner headlines first Top 50 UFAs of 2025." The Senators had two players of Seravalli's top 50 UFAs on the list. Claude Giroux was ranked 13 and Adam Gaudette was ranked 47.
Giroux's next contract projected to be at two years for $6.7 million per year. For Gaudette, his contract was projected to be a one-year deal for $1.3 million.
For Giroux, the salary of $6.7 million could be a little too high. Giroux has made $6.5 million for the past two years as his third and final year of his three-year contract runs out after this season.
While Giroux recorded a 79-point season two seasons ago and a 64-point season last season, this season has been a down year for Giroux. Playing in all 77 games this season, Giroux has 48 points. For a player at 37 years old, $6.7 million for a player who has had his point production drop every year in Ottawa might be too high.
Giroux is still a valuable player on the Senators with his leadership and experience. However, Giroux's salary in the future might be better in the $5-$5.5 million range.
For Gaudette, who is on a $775,000 contract, his season started strong when he scored 13 goals in 2024, but has scored four goals in 2025.
Gaudette was getting low ice time and becoming unplayable. Last game against the Blue Jackets on Sunday, Gaudette scored a goal to end a 23-game goal drought.
$1.3 million could be too high for a player who has had a down year in 2025. If the Senators can't get Gaudette down $1 million or less, letting Gaudette walk could be an option in free agency.
The Senators will have decisions to make this upcoming Summer on who to re-sign and who to let go with Giroux and Gaudette being two of them. But, at this current moment, getting back to the playoffs is the most important thing.