Claude Giroux Becoming Surprising Trade Candidate for Senators

The Ottawa Senators are looking to boost their roster within the next week leading up to next Friday's trade deadline—if they stay in the playoff hunt between now and then. A top-four defenseman is definitely on the radar.

However, if things go awry, we’re hearing that veteran Claude Giroux could become a surprising trade piece for the Sens. The pending UFA has been with the team for four years now, and is a key piece of the forward unit. But he is 38, and re-signing him is not likely going to be a priority for the Senators this summer. His production has waned in each of his four seasons in Ottawa, but he's been an iron man, playing all but a single game throughout those four years.

He’d still be in demand on the trade market, bringing his strong two-way play, elite faceoff skills, and premier playmaking, not to mention his veteran presence.

Insider Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic says whether or not the Senators can stay relevant (Thursday night's OT loss to the Detroit Red Wings didn't help) could be the determining factor.

Giroux has a full no-move clause, and Ottawa is his home. But he’s also never won a Cup. My sense is Giroux would rather stay put because he thinks they can still make the playoffs. But if the Sens struggle over the next week and dig a hole, that could make him think about things.
I can think of a number of Cup contenders who would want to get their hands on the 38-year-old if that comes to pass. His $2 million cap hit makes him easily absorbed.

Over his illustrious career, Giroux has played 1,321 NHL games across 19 seasons, and has scored 376 goals with 779 assists, for 1,155 points. He sports a +31 rating. He's made it as far as the Stanley Cup Finals just once, and that was ancient history, back in 2010 with the Philadelphia Flyers, in his second NHL season. He has performed extremely well in the playoffs over the years, with 29 goals and 86 points in 101 games.

He signed a bargain $2M, one-year extension to stay with Ottawa last summer, rather than going to free agency. But the contract does come with a number of playoff bonuses that could add up to $2.5M, if all are met. But seeing as getting to that level would only come if his team wins the Stanley Cup, we're pretty sure any acquiring club would be happy to pay out those bonuses.

This season, Giroux has 11 goals and 39 points in 58 games, playing an average of 17:02 per night.