Claude Giroux’ free agency destination leaked before market opening!

Star forward Claude Giroux could very well leave the free agency board quickly once the market opens at noon today. According to insider Pierre LeBrun, the veteran forward is expended to sign with the Ottawa Senators later on Wednesday.

“All signs point to the Ottawa Senators being the front runners to land UFA star Claude Giroux when the market opens today.”

Chatter got louder earlier this week as general manager Pierre Dorion made several trades to better his team. Not only did he get rid of goalie Matt Murray in a move to the Toronto Maple Leafs, but also acquired on Tuesday top netminder Cam Talbot in a trade with the Minnesota Wild.

The moves came after the Senators also landed talented forward Alex DeBrincat from the Chicago Blackhawks, creating an impressive lineup in Ottawa for 2022-23.

It feels like Giroux believes his hometown team can become contenders for the Stanley Cup enough to sign a contract with the Senators once the market opens later today.

The Florida Panthers have been hoping to bring Giroux back, but the club has just $3 million in projected cap space. It just won’t be enough to keep Giroux, who proved to have much more in the tank, recording 65 points in 75 games split between the Philadelphia Flyers and the Panthers this past season.

The Carolina Hurricanes were also interested in signing Giroux, but Ottawa might have gotten the edge with their significant trades in the past week.

And it sounds like it has convinced Giroux to return home.