Well, was there ever any doubt? Ah, maybe, because there was a very well-circulated report to the contrary, but in the end, the hometown hero is returning to Northern Ontario, as the news broke Monday night, that the Claude Giroux contract is finalized, as he will play for (at least) one more season with the Ottawa Senators. It appears to be a bonus-laden deal. It is a $2 million base salary, with up to $2.25 million available in bonuses. The bonuses are connected to games played, and whether or not his team advances through each round of the 2027 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Credit Image: © Douglas R. Clifford/Tampa Bay Times via ZUMA Press Wire
Claude Giroux has decided to return to the Senators for another season
Ottawa Citizen https://t.co/dKMiSJ2CuB via @ottawacitizen— Bruce Garrioch (@SunGarrioch) July 7, 2026
The Claude Giroux Contract is Finalized in Ottawa
When Giroux initially came to Ottawa, back in the offseason of 2022, it was seen as a way of him coming down, to close out his excellent career. His play back in that 2022-23 was only a bonus, scoring (a career-high) 35 goals and 79 points in 82 games, playing on the top line with Tim Stutzle and Brady Tkachuk. It really was a match made in heaven.
Over the next couple of seasons, yes, Giroux’s production dipped, but so did his role with the club. Yet, he skated an average of 20:06 per game in the following 2023-24 campaign. But he would play less top-line minutes, and not so much on the number-one power play unit. Yet, his importance to the club remained very high.
Now, you can see why, as everyone is very excited to welcome him back to Ottawa. At 38 years old, expectations won’t be too high on Giroux, but then again, they don’t need to be. He is there as a leader, a guy who can win faceoffs, help out on the power play, whenever and wherever needed. He’s coming off back-to-back seasons with 50 and 49 points, respectively. With the Sens losing their captain, via a trade request, the team and the fan base almost needed this. And now they have it. Welcome back home, Claude Giroux.
Main Photo Credit: Marc DesRosiers-Imagn Images
