Giroux Re-Signs, Sens Bid Adieu To Alfie

One hockey legend returns and another leaves in what’s become one of the most jaw-dropping offseasons in Ottawa Senators franchise history.

While it was widely assumed Claude Giroux was making his way back to Philadelphia, the city where he started his pro career and toiled for 15 seasons, 10 as Flyers captain, the unrestricted free agent chose to play his 20th NHL campaign in his hometown of Ottawa.

There was some belief, the 38-year-old was waiting it out upon a decision if the Anaheim Ducks were going to match the $90 million offer sheet from the Flyers for restricted free agent Leo Carlsson. If Ducks didn’t match, the assumption was Giroux was likely returning to his old haunts.

But you know what they say about people who “assume,” fortunately in this case of the Senators and their fans, they each receive a breath of good news.

“I chose to come back because I want to be here. I’m excited to be an Ottawa Senator,” said Giroux in a team media release. “Being around those guys for four years, we got really close. This team feels like a family. I just care for those players.”

Senators general manager Steve Staios noted July 1, he was preserving a roster spot for Giroux.

“I think we’ve stated how much we want him back. We’ve been unwavering in our message to him, offered him a contract as far back as before the trade deadline. He wanted to take a look around in free agency, but hasn’t closed the door to come back to Ottawa. I mean, for us, there’s also a reason why I’m not active today. Obviously, that spot is reserved for him, and I’m eagerly anticipating, waiting to have a conversation with him.”

Monday afternoon, the Senators GM stated, “Claude took his time to evaluate his options and his decision to re-sign with us shows his belief and commitment to our group. He is the consummate professional and brings veteran experience to our core on an off the ice.”

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Per Puckpedia, Giroux’s one-year contract calls for a $2M cap hit, carrying a maximum of another $3M in potential bonues. The first two being easily achievable, $1.5M for playing 10 games, $500,000 at 40 games, the remaining $1M requires team success, $500,000 for the club to make it to the Conference Final and another $500,000 if the Senators are in the Stanley Cup Final.

A friendly cap hit leaves Staios with over $4M of remaining space. Staios still has plenty of wiggle room to make another move for a forward if he so chooses. At worst, the Senators GM will have draft capital acquired plus dollars to make moves during the season.

Giroux may no longer be that top six prototypical forward, he remains an integral member of the Senators forward group. The former Gatineau Olympique can play either wing. Though he’s lost half a step, he maintains a superb hockey acumen which allows him to continue to be successful player.

Giroux’s offensive production has dropped in successive years during his four in Ottawa, 70, 64, 50 to last season’s 49 points, (14 goals, 35 assists). However 49-50 points for a what will be a 20-year veteran is great value.

Giroux remains one of the league’s premier faceoff men, leading the NHL in percentage the past two campaigns. He’s also a fixture on the Senators second power play unit and has the ability to kill penalties. In addition; Giroux has missed only one game over his four seasons for Ottawa, and that was a mutual decision to rest prior to the 2025 playoffs.

Most of all, Giroux’s compete level is unmatched, and he garners respect as a consummate leader.

Giroux will head into the 2026-27 season with 1165 points, 60th on the all-time NHL list. His 786 assists rank 40th among NHL greats.

Say what “Alfie?”

Safe to say Daniel Alfredsson is a Senators legend. Alfredsson is the team’s franchise leading scorer, his number 11 banner hangs from the CTC rafters, longest-serving captain, and member of the Hockey Hall of Fame.

But on Monday, “Alfie” fled to the dark side, Ottawa’s arch Provincial rival Toronto Maple Leafs as an associate coach. Alfredsson joins his fellow Swede Mats Sundin and friend who’s currentl Leafs Senior Executive Advisor of Hockey Operations.

Senators owner Michael Andlauer said in his club’s release, “One of the first moves we made after taking over the franchise was bringing Daniel Alfredsson back into the fold as an assistant coach in December of 2023. I quickly learned that ‘Alfie’ embodied all the characteristics of what it meant to be an Ottawa Senator. While I wish he wasn’t joining an arch rival, Alfie is forever an Ottawa Senator and the door will always be open for his return. He has done so much for our organization and community and he has my full respect.”

With Alfredsson leaving there’s a void on Travis Green’s coaching staff. Newell Brown who was a fixture throughout Green’s tenure with the Vancouver Canucks wasn’t rehired in Los Angeles and is available. Jason King, another key member of Green’s previous Canucks staff is currently running the power play for the Minnesota Wild.