Claude Giroux and the Senators: serious contract talks as early as next week

The Montreal Canadiens’ clear objective this summer is to add a second center to their roster to support Ivan Demidov, and thus enable the young Russian to have a good first season in the NHL.

The goal is to surround the 19-year-old prodigy with a competent center capable of leading a line.

The Habs have several options open to them, and this invites all fans to debate which is the best option.

Some would still prefer to think about the future by adding a young, established NHL center, while others would much rather have a veteran who will only be around for a few years.

In the end, it’s the Habs who will decide, and they’ll have to live with that decision and believe in it.

In the meantime, we can continue to speculate on the various names still available, before some leave the Habs’ list of possibilities.

Because yes, some options on the list will eventually be crossed off.

And one of them could be crossed off as early as next week, when Claude Giroux holds serious discussions for a potential new contract with the Ottawa Senators.