Claude Giroux signs new deal late on Monday night

The NHL free agency frenzy has already produced roughly a hundred new contracts across the league's 32 teams, but a number of quality players remain unsigned. Until late Monday night, veteran forward Claude Giroux was one of them.

But then insider Elliotte Friedman reported that Giroux had decided to return to Ottawa. Terms of the contract weren’t immediately reported.

Last week, the veteran chose to test the open market and it had recently been reported by Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Citizen, Giroux was weighing offers from three clubs: the Senators, the Philadelphia Flyers, and the Toronto Maple Leafs. Friedman even believed the Leafs offered him the most lucrative offer.

“Toronto was definitely in there, I think actually Toronto might’ve bid the most money,” he said on his podcast.

The Edmonton Oilers were believed to have made a push as well but are said to be out of the running at this point. The Montreal Canadiens, who were said to have shown interest in recent days, also appear to have fallen out of contention.

Per Garrioch, the 38-year-old wanted to take his time because next season is expected to be the final one of his career. And Ottawa is where his last chapter will take place.

I would have love a reunion with Philadelphia, which would have represented a homecoming of sorts, given that Giroux spent the first 15 seasons of his career with the Flyers. But a return to Ottawa could be just as good.

Giroux, originally selected 22nd overall in the 2006 NHL Draft, posted 14 goals and 35 assists for 49 points in 82 games last season. Those numbers suggest he can still contribute in a meaningful role, even if the peak years are behind him.

And his last one could take place in 2026-27 as he dresses for one last season with the Senators.