Two Offseason Destinations for Senators Claude Giroux
Veteran Claude Giroux has been on a Stanley Cup hunt since he left the Philadelphia Flyers in 2021. He was traded to the Florida Panthers, with much dismay, being in the right place at the wrong time as they wouldn't win a Cup until much later down the road, when Paul Maurice took the helm.
Now, as a member of the Ottawa Senators, the veteran center has found himself in trade rumors earlier this season. Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic in February:
"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," LeBrun wrote.
General Manager Steve Staios and the Senators wouldn't move on from the veteran, as the team had eyes on a playoff spot, of which they hold the final wild card spot in the Eastern Conference.
As someone who has a full no-movement clause, Giroux would have final say on where he'd land next, and that makes a general manager's job difficult, especially for a veteran who would want to play on a competitive team that is destined for the playoffs.
Now that the trade deadline has passed and the playoffs are upon us, should things go south for Giroux and the Senators, the pending unrestricted free agent could find himself in a spot that could prove to be beneficial should the right team bite.
Giroux has scored a total of 14 goals and 46 points in 79 games as a Senator this season.
Which two teams could find a spot for the veteran forward in their lineup this July?
