Giroux decides to stay in Ottawa, be veteran presence for Senators

Ottawa Senators right wing Claude Giroux. James Guillory-Imagn Images

Claude Giroux decides to stay in Ottawa, be veteran presence for Senators

By Mike J. Asti | Last updated Jul 8, 2026 10:12 AM ET

Putting an end to the rumors and speculation, Claude Giroux agreed to return to the Ottawa Senators on Tuesday.

Giroux signed a $2 million deal to stay in Ottawa for one more season despite reports about possible interest in a reunion with the Philadelphia Flyers, where he spent the first 15 years of his NHL career.

Claude Giroux still saw Ottawa as an attractive place to play

"I chose to come back because I want to be here. I’m excited to be an Ottawa Senator," said Giroux as part of the Senators' announcement. "Being around those guys for four years, we got really close. This team feels like a family. I just care for those players."

Keeping a still productive veteran like Giroux in the fold, especially at a bargain-type rate, may prove to be invaluable for a Senators franchise looking to remain a contender after trading former captain Brady Tkachuk earlier in the summer.

"Claude took his time to evaluate his options and his decision to re-sign with us shows his belief and commitment to our group," Senators general manager Steve Staios said. "He is the consummate professional and brings veteran experience to our core on and off the ice."

pic.twitter.com/4AKFSFADYE
— Ottawa Senators (@Senators) July 7, 2026

Claude Giroux proved to still be a productive asset last season

Giroux, 38, who has been with Ottawa since 2022, put up 49 points while playing in all 82 games for the third time in the last four seasons (he missed just one game in 2024-25). He scored 14 goals and tallied 35 assists in helping the Senators reach the postseason.

And in a career that will reach its 20th season when the puck drops on the 2026-27 campaign, Giroux, a seven-time All-Star, has been a pillar of consistency throughout the years. He now has 379 goals and 786 assists for 1,165 total points in 1,345 games logged.

Giroux also has 29 goals and 86 points in 105 playoff games, granted he failed to register an offensive statistic as Ottawa suffered a series sweep at the hands of the eventual Stanley Cup champion Carolina Hurricanes in the first round in May.

Mike J. Asti

Mike Asti is an experienced media personality and journalist with a vast resume and skillset, most notably from time with TribLIVE Radio and WPXI-TV. Asti now serves as the Managing Editor of WV Sports Now, where he leads the coverage of WVU sports. He has also covered the Steelers, Penguins, Pirates and other teams within the Pittsburgh market

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