The return of Claude Giroux to the Ottawa Senators has sent a sigh of relief among the fan base. It’s not that the club would have crumbled without him.
No, the team would have carried on without him. But it’s his presence that could be the missing piece for the Senators this upcoming season.
As I’ve pointed out previously, there is a type of leadership vacuum that the organization will have to deal with until there is a captain formally named.
That’s why Giroux is so crucial. His role this upcoming season could be pretty much one of a de facto captain. While he may not wear a “C” on his jersey, he’ll be wearing it on the ice. His team and the opposition respect the presence he commands on and off the ice.
The missing piece of Ottawa isn’t a 40-goal scorer or a Norris Trophy defenseman. It’s having the certitude that comes with knowing there’s a responsible adult in the room.
Giroux brings numerous intangibles that contenders seek
When you hear about teams having a “missing piece,” they’re usually referring to a veteran star who can produce on the ice. But that star also brings other intangibles that help mesh the entire lineup.
Those intangibles are the leadership qualities that we so often talk about. And it’s the lack of such qualities that can lead teams astray.
One of the typical conversations among contending teams is about how the clubhouse is filled with captains. While not every player wears a letter, every guy on the team acts like they are. Those qualities emerge throughout the season and especially in the playoffs.
That’s why the Senators wanted Giroux back. He’s the sort of player who doesn’t seem fazed when the going gets tough. And with such a young core, Giroux can be the piece that holds all of the gears in place.
Remove that piece, and there’s no telling how well the entire machinery will hold up.
The 2026-27 season will be particularly challenging for Ottawa in the Atlantic Division. Nevertheless, having a solid, veteran presence like Claude Giroux makes the grind that much easier to withstand.
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