Ottawa Senators open contract talks with veteran winger Claude Giroux

Ottawa Senators’ Claude Giroux reacts after scoring a goal against the Philadelphia Flyers last year. AP PHOTOArticle content

The Ottawa Senators and Claude Giroux already have one important piece of common ground in contract discussions.

THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY

Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.

Exclusive articles from Elizabeth Payne, David Pugliese, Andrew Duffy, Bruce Deachman and others. Plus, food reviews and event listings in the weekly newsletter, Ottawa, Out of Office.Unlimited online access to Ottawa Citizen and 15 news sites with one account.Ottawa Citizen ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.Support local journalism.SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES

Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.

Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.

Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.

Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.

Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an Accountor

Article content

The club wants to keep him and the veteran winger wants to stay.

Article content

Now, it’s all about the details.

Article content

The 37-year-old Giroux is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1, but sources say there already have been informal talks between the Senators and his Los Angeles-based agent Pat Brisson since the club was eliminated from the playoffs.

Article content

The expectation is that Steve Staios, the club’s president of hockey operations and general manager, will meet with Brisson sometime in the next few weeks to see if the two sides can agree on an extension.

Article content

We apologize, but this video has failed to load.

Article content

By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.

Article content

The National Hockey League scouting combine will get underway the first week of June in Buffalo, so the belief is that Staios and Brisson may have a coffee there to determine what kind of contract makes sense to bring Giroux back.

Article content

We’re told that both sides know that this negotiation is important and doesn’t have to be difficult. This is a piece of business that can be taken care of so Giroux can focus on getting ready for next season and Staios can study his roster to see what changes need to be made.

Article content

Making $6.5 million US in the final season of a three-year deal he signed with the Senators on July 1, 2022, Giroux is without question the best free-agent signing this club has had in its history.

Article content

In 245 career games with the Senators, Giroux has contributed 71 goals and 122 assists for 193 points. The only game he missed in three seasons was down the stretch this year while being rested for the playoffs.

Article content

Averaging more than 19 minutes of ice time, Giroux ranks among the best faceoff men in the league with a 61.5% winning percentage last season.

Article content

He’s also as important with his leadership off the ice as he is when he’s on it. Giroux has helped mould captain Brady Tkachuk and winger Tim Stutzle into becoming better players at both ends of the ice.

Article content

The Senators were able to take some of the pressure off Giroux this season by bringing in veteran wingers David Perron and Michael Amadio, along with defenceman Nick Jensen from the Washington Capitals.

Article content

Staios doesn’t like to talk contract negotiations publicly, but he did state at the club’s end-of-season availability that the organization wants to have Giroux return.