Claude Giroux is headed to the unrestricted free agent market after contract negotiations with the Ottawa Senators broke down. The Senators made signing the 38-year-old alternate captain a priority in the final hours before the market opens on Wednesday at noon, but the two sides were unable to come to a resolution.
Giroux's Decision and Future Plans
TSN’s Pierre LeBrun reported on Tuesday night that Giroux will leave the door open for the Senators. However, if Giroux does move on, the decision will not be popular with the fan base. The expectation is that the Montreal Canadiens and the Florida Panthers will show interest in the veteran forward.
A well-placed source told the Ottawa Citizen on Tuesday night that there was a sizeable gap between the two sides, and Giroux’s agent, Pat Brisson of Los Angeles, informed the Senators that his client wants to explore the market.
Giroux's Performance and Contract Situation
Giroux, who spent the past four years with the Senators after signing as an unrestricted free agent on July 1, 2022, took time to ponder his future after the club’s disappointing playoff performance but remains hungry for more success. Steve Staios, the club’s president of hockey operations and general manager, told reporters on Saturday that he wanted to bring Giroux back. However, the belief is the two sides were not even close to a deal when talks were halted, prompting Giroux to test the open market.
“Giroux is a special player and a special person,” Staios said last month. “Talk about experience and going through some hard lessons and having success as a player. He brings that to our group. He brings that leadership. I think he played even better this year than he did last year, so it shows his commitment to his craft, as well.”
Potential Contract Terms
It would make sense for Giroux to sign a deal similar to the one he played on last year. He agreed to a one-year contract with a base salary of $2 million US, offering up to $2.75 million in incentives for games played and team success in the post-season. Giroux earned an extra $1 million in bonus money last season by suiting up for 60 games and helping the club make the playoffs for the second straight year.
Giroux had the following bonuses built into his most recent deal:
- $250,000 each for 20, 30 and 60 games played.
- $250,000 if Ottawa made the playoffs and he played 50 games.
- $500,000 if Ottawa won Round 1.
- $250,000 if Ottawa won Round 2.
- $500,000 if Ottawa won Round 3.
- $500,000 if Ottawa won the Stanley Cup.
