Claude Giroux already being linked to the Ottawa Senators this summer

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Sam Hutch
March 19, 2022 (2:34 PM)

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Claude Giroux, you know him, long-time Philadephia Flyers captain, just played his 1000th game in the orange and black on Thursday and appears to be a significant trade chip come the National Hockey League's trade deadline on Monday. I bet you rolled your eyes re-reading his name just now. But- what comes next for the grizzled veteran after this year?

On the 32 Thoughts Podcast on Friday, Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet wondered if, beyond this year, there might be a fit for Giroux with the Ottawa Senators next year and beyond:

I would be curious to know if Ottawa thinks there's a shot that Giroux plays there next year. You know nobody's gonna talk about that now, but I have wondered about that. What are the chances, you know this summer, you know, he's got a tie in there, he lives not far from the rink, this is just me talking out loud

Giroux, 34, is still a reasonably productive player at the NHL level this season, providing the Flyers with 42 points in 57 games, including 18 goals and 24 assists.

Opinion: it's an interesting thought to ponder; on the one hand, Giroux seems to be nearing the end of his playing career, and you would assume that he would want to go to a contending team as his window for another run at a Stanley is dwindling. On the other hand, as mentioned above, Giroux has ties to the Ottawa area, owning a house not far from the Canadian Tire Centre. Still, he also played Junior across the way in Gatineau. Giroux could provide exemplary leadership to a young Sens team with a lot of talent and leave them, if not in a playoff position, close to it by the time he's ready to hang up the skates and call it a career.