Major Turn Of Events As Claude Giroux Finally Makes Free Agency Decision

With insiders the past couple of days calling Claude Giroux's reunion back in Philadelphia "inevitable", it didn't seem like a return to Ottawa was in the cards. But after thinking about it for an extra 72 hours, Giroux has decided to return to the Senators for one more season. 

Claude Giroux is staying in Ottawa ✍️ pic.twitter.com/9nnEZ8ntAv

— Spittin' Chiclets (@spittinchiclets) July 7, 2026

After appearing to agree to go to Philly this past Friday, there was word just earlier today that the 38-year-old wanted to take some time to make his decision because this will likely be his final season in the NHL. 

He's now finished deliberating, and he'll return to Ottawa for a fifth season, which will be his 20th in the league.

It seems like he was leaning towards going back to the team that drafted him in the first round back in 2006. He spent the first 15 years of his career in Philadelphia, and played exactly 1,000 games there.

But home is where the heart is, and Ottawa was his home as a kid, and it has been now as an adult for he and his family for the past half-decade.

In 1,345 NHL regular-season games, Giroux has accumulated 379 goals and 1,165 points. He's added another 86 points in 105 playoff games.