Two nights ago, the Ottawa Senators had their 2024-25 season come to an end when they lost Game 6 against the Toronto Maple Leafs in the first round.
When a team is finished for the season, the focus for the following season starts. One of the focuses for next season for the Senators surrounds Claude Giroux. This Summer, Giroux will be an unrestricted free agent.
Giroux has spent the past three seasons with the Senators. Giroux's veteran presence has been an impact on the Senators. However, the Senators will need to make an important decision on whether or not to re-sign Giroux or let him walk.
For the right price, keeping Giroux is a priority for Sens
Giroux's salary was $6.5 million per year in his three years with the Senators. While some Sens fans may love Giroux and want him to return, the production of Giroux did drop each year.
After recording 79 points in the 2022-23 season in his first season in Ottawa, Giroux had his point production drop over the next two seasons. Giroux recorded 64 points last season, then recorded 50 points this season. For a player making $6.5 million, point reduction is something that some teams might not want when it comes to re-signing players.
However, Giroux did make up for it in the 2025 playoffs. Giroux's five points was tied for the second most on the Senators along with Tim Stutzle. Giroux also led the Senators with four assists in the 2025 playoffs.
In April, Giroux did have a new contract projected by Frank Seravalli of Daily Faceoff. Seravalli predicted that Giroux will have a two-year contract for $6.7 million for his newest contract this Summer.
$6.7 million might be too high for a 37-year-old veteran who had his point production drop each year in Ottawa. A more ideal range for Giroux could be in the $4.5-$5 million range.
Giroux is still relied on by the Senators for offensive production. Like other veteran players on the team like David Perron, Nick Cousins and Nick Jensen. But, $6.7 million could be a price the Senators don't want to pay Giroux.
If Giroux's asking price is too high, letting him walk might be the best option. Re-signing Giroux at the right price will impact the Senators better. The Senators have other free agents that can demand a higher contract like Adam Gaudette, Fabian Zetterlund and Anton Forsberg.
Giroux will be one of Ottawa's top priority this off-season. However, too high of a price may put the Senators in a position to let him walk.