Should the Senators Re-Sign Claude Giroux?

Claude Giroux is still doing Claude Giroux things, even at 38. If anything, this season with the Ottawa Senators just reinforced how steady he’s been for a long time. He wrapped up the regular season with 14 goals, 35 assists, and 46 points in 82 games, basically matching what he’s done the last couple of years. Nothing dramatic, just reliable production night after night. That he played all 82 games is quite impressive, actually.

Even late in the season, he was still chipping in points, moving the puck well, and showing that he can keep up in a middle-six role while still getting time on the power play.

Giroux didn’t wear down as the season progressed.

He also finished strong. In the last stretch of the season, he picked up a couple of goals and assists, and didn’t even get the “maintenance rest” treatment. That says a lot about where his game is at physically — he’s still trusted, still healthy, and still playing meaningful minutes when it matters.

So why would the Senators think about keeping or re-assigning (or reloading his role around) Giroux next season? There are actually a few pretty clear reasons.

Reason One: Giroux is consistent.

Even when his scoring dries up for a few games, it never really disappears for long. He had a 13-game goal drought earlier in the year, but he still piled up assists and stayed involved. That kind of steady presence is huge for a younger team that can go through wild swings.

Reason Two: Giroux shows leadership.

This one doesn’t always show up on the stat sheet, but it matters. Giroux is still clearly one of the voices driving Ottawa’s forward group. You can see it in how he plays — smart decisions, calm under pressure, and usually in the right spot when things tighten up.

Reason Three: Giroux is versatile.

He’s bounced between roles all year. He had top-six looks, middle-six minutes, and power-play deployment. And he handled all of it without falling off a cliff. Not many veterans at his age can still flex like that.

Giroux is no longer a point-a-game player, but he has value.

At this stage, Giroux isn’t trying to be a 90-point star anymore. He’s more like a stabilizer who keeps things moving in the right direction. The Senators don’t need him to carry the offence every night. They just need him to be smart, steady, and productive enough to keep the group balanced.

And Giroux still looks like he can give that kind of value over a long, tough NHL season. If the price is right, and you can guess it will be, re-signing Giroux seems like a no-brainer.