Overview
- Multiple outlets reported Tuesday that Sportsnet insider Elliotte Friedman said Giroux and the Senators are finalizing a contract that would bring the 38‑year‑old back to Ottawa.
- Giroux produced 49 points in 82 games last season and posted a career‑best faceoff win rate of about 63.1 percent, underscoring his value as a defensive and possession center.
- Reporting from the Ottawa Citizen noted Giroux is taking his time because he views 2026–27 as a possible final season, which helps explain his measured approach to free agency.
- Ottawa’s limited projected cap space (around $5.045 million) and analytic projections for a roughly $2.5 million deal will shape terms, while interest from Philadelphia and Toronto could push the price.
- Keeping Giroux gives the Senators veteran depth and leadership after recent roster shifts, but his potential retirement after next season would leave a gap in faceoffs and center minutes that the club may need to address.