Claude Giroux became an unrestricted free agent (UFA) on July 1 with the start of NHL Free Agency after not being able to agree on a new contract with the Ottawa Senators in the ongoing offseason. The 38-year-old forward, who was the alternate captain for the organization in the last four seasons, has interest from multiple teams in the NHL, but nothing concrete as of yet.

NHL journalist Bruce Garrioch mentioned those teams lining up to employ Giroux for the upcoming 2026-27 season in a report published on the Ottawa Citizen news website.

“The Toronto Maple Leafs have also spoken with Giroux’s camp and remain keenly interested, while the Edmonton Oilers made a pitch, but well-respected Sportsnet columnist Mark Spector says they’re no longer involved. Flyers and Senators are both in the mix,” Garrioch wrote on Friday, July 4.

Notably, since Toronto isn’t far away from Ottawa in Canada, Giroux must be considering it as a worthwhile option to play in his 20th season in the NHL, in the twilight phase of his illustrious career. The NHL journalist revealed how the Edmonton Oilers made an offer to the Canadian veteran to join them across the country in the Western Conference, but it apparently wasn’t enough.

Amidst that, sources associated with Giroux spoke to the Ottawa Citizen about how he is yet to make his decision to play for which team next season, as of Friday evening.

"After spending the last four seasons with the Senators, it feels like Giroux has a foot out the door, and the sense in league circles is a return to the Flyers is inevitable," noted the analyst. "The belief is Giroux wants to take some time to make his decision because this will likely be his final season in the NHL."

Meanwhile, it looks like Ottawa is still interested in bringing him back.

What’s the latest on Claude Giroux’s contract negotiations with the Ottawa Senators?

Giroux was on a one-year contract worth $4.75 million average annual value (AAV) with the Ottawa Senators for the 2025-26 season after playing three years for them previously. During the same season, he received a new deal from the Ottawa Senators before the trade deadline on March 6 of this year, as per their president of hockey operations and general manager, Steve Staios.

While speaking to the media about the first day of the NHL Free Agency for the Senators on July 1, Staios revealed this information before giving away Giroux’s response to it.

“We’ve stated how much we want him back. We’ve been unwavering in our message to him, offered him a contract as far back as before the trade deadline, and he wanted to take a look around in free agency, but hasn’t closed the door to come back to Ottawa,” he said as reported by Ottawa Citizen. “That spot is reserved for him, and I'm eagerly anticipating, waiting to have a conversation with him.”

With that being said, Giroux has apparently not started contract negotiations with the Senators and Staios, especially with the interest shown in him by the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Philadelphia Flyers. Moreover, the Canadian could still prove to be a valuable piece in the puzzle for the Senators with his leadership skills since their captain, Brady Tkachuk, moved to the Florida Panthers in a trade deal.

He scored 49 points (14G / 35A) in 82 games in the 2025-26 season to take Ottawa to the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs in the Eastern Conference, as per NHL.com. They were swept by the eventual champions, the Carolina Hurricanes, after he failed to register a single point across four playoff games.

Will Claude Giroux return to the Ottawa Senators or move elsewhere? Give us your prediction in the comments.

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Written by

Arjun Sharma

Edited by

Soheli Tarafdar