The Ottawa Senators were seemingly going to be welcoming back one of their likable veterans and fan favourites. However, as the free agency period approached, and there were rumblings he wanted to test the open market, on this Friday afternoon we find out why. The 38-year-old forward Claude Giroux contract signed today brings the veteran back to his former team, the Philadelphia Flyers. Let’s discuss the details.
Claude Giroux Contract with the Philadelphia Flyers
Giroux had been instrumental with the Sens since his arrival. He had been invaluable for young players like Shane Pinto and Tim Stutzle. His work in the faceoff circle had elevated the team’s ability as a whole. Furthermore, Giroux’s playmaking had helped to power the depth scoring, as well as consistently producing on the power play. Just like he has done his entire career really, even back to his previous days in South Pennsylvania. It was thought he would return to his hometown regional Sens, but apparently, he had other plans.
Credit Image: © Brent Clark/Cal Sport Media
Meanwhile… Claude Giroux is signing with the Flyers
— David Pagnotta (@TheFourthPeriod) July 3, 2026
Giroux has had 19-year NHL career one that has seen him accumulate 1,165 career regular season points. His career season came back in 2017-18, when he led the league in assists with 68. That was also the only campaign when he eclipsed the 100-point mark (102).
As we have the news of a new Claude Giroux contract, we recall that he was originally a Flyer draft pick way back in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft, 22nd overall. He has played exactly 1000 career regular season with Philly previously. However, he left via trade for the Florida Panthers back in 2021-22.
He originally signed in Ottawa that summer in 2022 under the former general manager Pierre Dorion. That deal at that time was a three-year contract, worth a total of $19.5 million. He also signed a one-year deal for last year to stick around. Now, with all the uncertainty in town, the Claude Giroux contract is a sign he wanted a change.
The Flyers Have their Man, Back
In his first year in Ottawa, he had a big resurgence, playing on a line with Stutzle and Brady Tkachuk. That year he had a career-high 35 goals, and finished with 79 points. He has slowed down and his role has diminished to more of depth piece more recently. However, he has still managed to stay rather consistent. In his last two years, he had 35 assists each season, and points of 50 and 49, respectively. He is still an efficient point producer as last year. He hadn’t been so low in ice time at 16:18 since back to his first year-or-two in the NHL. Furthermore, he is still dynamite on the draw. In his time in Ottawa, he has posted a 59.9 faceoff win percentage. His 63.1% this past year actually led the league.
Now he can bring his veteran leadership, locker-room presence, and faceoff prowess back to The City of Brotherly Love. It is interesting a general manager Daniel Briere did also just send an offer sheet the way of Leo Carlsson with the Anaheim Ducks. Philly is clearly motivated to take a step, including locking up goaltender Daniel Vladar recently. Moreover, Giroux will be a perfect supporting cast member for the Flyer team that already elevated their game, as they finished their run in the second-round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Expect big things from them in the next year or two, as they do what they can to compete in the Metropolitan Division.
Main Photo Credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
