One of the league's top pending UFA's may be looking to sign in Ontario this summer
There has been a lot of speculation over where veteran forward Claude Giroux might play next season, and many believe that he could be contemplating signing with the Ottawa Senators this summer. On the most recent edition of 32 Thoughts, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman revealed that he thinks that there is a realistic chance of Giroux to Ottawa happening.
"I just don't think it's an option that's off the table. He's got a lot of ties to Ottawa, there's an expectation that is where he is going to potentially retire to when he's done, I think he's building a home there, there's a lot of tie-ins.
Now I don't think it's a guarantee, but I think it's on the radar. I will say someone reached out to me after I wrote it and said 'He's been asking questions about it.' But he said that I wrote it right, that just because you ask doesn't mean it's going to happen, it means you're doing your homework.
- Friedman on rumours of Claude Giroux signing in Ottawa this summer.
There are certainly reasons from the Sens' perspective as to why they may not pursue Giroux as a UFA. For one, he's 34 years old, and while he has certainly made a lot of money in his career, this is likely his last opportunity to cash in. However, if Giroux is less concerned with money and more concerned with the right fit and the appropriate amount of playing time, the Sens are certainly an intriguing possibility.
"I think the other thing too with Ottawa is they've got a lot of good young players, a lot of really good young players, and the one thing Ottawa is going to try to fix is that who are the veterans that are gonna play around them? The idea of Giroux I think is pretty exciting for them."
- Friedman on a potential fit for Giroux in Ottawa.
There are certain to be more than a few suitors who will make a pitch to Giroux and his camp, but at this stage of his career, Giroux may be looking more for the right fit than anything else - especially if he can win a Cup with the Panthers this season. With the ties that he has with the city of Ottawa, it's certainly not out of the question that he'll sign there.
POLL |
MARS 27 | 170 ANSWERS One of the league's top pending UFA's may be looking to sign in Ontario this summer Will Giroux sign with the Sens as a UFA this summer? |
Yes | 39 | 22.9 % |
No | 79 | 46.5 % |
Don't care | 52 | 30.6 % |
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