'All signs point to' Senators being front-runner for Giroux

Longtime Flyers star Claude Giroux was shipped to the Panthers last season and now hits free agency. Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

Report: 'All signs point to' Senators being front-runner for seven-time All-Star Claude Giroux

By Victor Barbosa | Last updated 7/13/22

Claude Giroux was traded to the Florida Panthers in mid-March, ending his decade-and-a-half run with the Philadelphia Flyers. Now, the seven-time All-Star could be on the move again, as NHL free agency kicks off on Wednesday.

All signs point to the Ottawa Senators being the front runners to land UFA star Claude Giroux when the market opens today. @TSNHockey @TheAthletic
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) July 13, 2022

Giroux finished the 2021-2022 regular season with 21 goals and 44 assists for 65 points across 75 games between the Flyers and Panthers. Giroux added three goals and five assists for his new club in their 10 postseason contests.

The 34 year-old still appears to have plenty of juice left, as his games played, assists and points totals were his highest in three seasons (though the COVID-19 pandemic played a part in that), and his All-Star honor was his first in three years as well.

If Giroux were to sign with the Senators, he would give them some much-needed playoff experience, having competed in 85 postseason games in his career. Ottawa hasn't played in the Stanley Cup Playoffs since 2017.

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