After listening to all the players at the year end media availability, it is time to reflect. One of the main topics of reflection in terms of Ottawa Senator rumours, is if the next contract for Claude Giroux ends up with the Sens. However, to spare you the anticipation, we will just say it. We get a general impression for the situation, that it’s not if, but for how much. Let’s get sensational.
Talk on the Next Claude Giroux Contract
Whether it was Brady Tkachuk or Claude Giroux himself, the players seem to be in agreement. They love having Giroux on the team and he loves playing here. Therefore, any notion of Giroux not returning seems to be foolishness.
Specifically, the captain Brady Tkachuk had some big feelings on the situation. He said quite directly that: “I expect that it is all going to workout…he’s such a big part of the team.” That feeling of positivity and optimism was shared by Giroux. Giroux said of Ottawa that “I love the players, the fans, the city.”
Lots of players, including Dylan Cozens reverberated the fact that they had a lot of fun this year. It just seems like the group of players are all on the same page. The players, along with general manager Steve Staios also shared the same message, that many of the discussions on a return have yet to begin.
Ottawa Senators Rumours On a New Contract for Veteran Claude Giroux
One area of discussion is Giroux’s production. The 37-year-old has, perhaps as expected, experienced a decline in his point production. After what was a pleasant surprise, albeit statistically unsustainable, Giroux put up a monster 79-point first year in Ottawa. In contrast, the next two seasons have seen him dip to 64 and then 50 this season. Although, both his total ice time and his time allotted on the power play have also decreased. As the Sens had a more complete roster overall in 2024-25, these types of decreases were somewhat expected.
However, for The Claudefather, it really is his intangibles that cannot be understated. One of them was a career high in fact, 61.5% faceoff winning percentage. He’s a leader on the ice, in practice, and in the locker room. We’ve already explained how his teammates seem to love him and he returns the love to them.
Then, the discussion really shifts to dollar, cents, and term for a new Claude Giroux contract. Giroux had been making $6.5 million, but given the desire to improve this roster, he will likely see a smaller piece of the pie.
Let’s Talk Money, You Know, Money Talks, Right
Even though it is more of an old school thought process, one year deals make a lot of sense. That way the GM can re-evaluate things each summer, just as he will be tasked with now. Perhaps a player like Joe Pavelski could be seen as a somewhat recent comparable. Yes, he hasn’t played for a year now, but he was making $3.5 million in 2023-24. That is the type of thing, if Giroux’s play dictates, and he has the desire, he could re-sign for another year for 2026-27. Granted, that’s looking pretty far ahead, but that is the advantage of the one-year deal. Then, nobody is locked into that second year.
In contrast, there are differences in the current economics considering the expected salary cap increase for 2025-26. This would conceivably allow for more money to be spent on Giroux. The point is, it has to make sense for player and organization.
There’s More to the Story than Meets the Eye
The one example of a current Sens player where the dollars become important is Adam Gaudette. Gaudette drastically, and even self-proclaimed, was transformative in raising his stock this year. From an AHLer last year, to making $775K this most recent campaign, he’s looking for a bump up. 19 goals is a sure fire way to do that in the NHL. On the other hand, some of his underlying metrics weren’t anything to write home about. He only played just over 10 minutes a game, and he carried a not repeatable 21.1 shooting percentage. Conversely, his CF% Rel of 7.1 and playing often as a fourth-line centre, he does bring a lot of value.
So, as it sits, Gaudette may have very well priced himself out of Ottawa. Now in saying that, the salary cap does go up to $95.5 million next year. Furthermore, the Sens currently have 14 players under contract, leaving around $17.5 million in space. If Giroux is taking anymore than $4 million of that, and if you are giving Gaudette a raise, improvements are almost going to have to come from within. It does seem based on the roster, the Sens need another upgrade. Their goaltending was fine. Also, their defence did have a solid set three pairs, who are all very likely returning. As a note, Tyler Kleven is still a restricted free agent. Moreover, a guy like Carter Yakemchuk is sitting there in the wings looking to push those guys as well.
The one aspect of the Sens offence that needed improvement was scoring efficiency. Yes, Gaudette was fairly efficient, but doesn’t necessarily get enough ice time to truly tip the scales. As for Giroux, you might anticipate a decline in production. As good of an offensive mind as he is, he doesn’t put the puck in the net. That’s what the Sens need ultimately. So, if they want money to spend on a sniper, they need to be economically frugal elsewhere. Should make for an interesting summer for Staios and team.
Main Photo Credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
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