Giroux signs three-year, $19.5 million contract with Senators

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Claude Giroux signed a three-year, $19.5 million contract with the Ottawa Senators on Wednesday. It has an average annual value of $6.5 million.

The 34-year-old forward had 65 points (21 goals, 44 assists) in 75 games for the Florida Panthers and Philadelphia Flyers last season, including 23 points (three goals, 20 assists) in 18 games after he was acquired in a trade with the Flyers on March 19. He also had eight points (three goals, five assists) in 10 Stanley Cup Playoff games.

He played his 1,000th NHL game March 17, with the Flyers against the Nashville Predators.

“I didn’t sign here if I didn’t think we had the chance to win the [Stanley] Cup,” he told TSN. “It’s a process and you have to build on one good season, have an identity. For me coming here, I’m just excited to play with young talent that likes to compete, that has character. I’m not saying we’re going to win the Cup this year, but the plan is to build on it and have baby steps.”

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Giroux was in the final season of an eight-year contract. He was born in Hearst, Ontario, but grew up in Ottawa and played his junior hockey with Gatineau of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, which is located just on the other side of the Ottawa River.

Selected by Philadelphia in the first round (No. 22) of the 2006 NHL Draft, Giroux has 923 points (294 goals, 629 assists) in 1,018 regular-season games and 81 points (28 goals, 53 assists) in 95 Stanley Cup Playoff games.

“We’re thrilled to add a player of Claude’s caliber to our lineup,” Senators general manager Pierre Dorion said. “He’s an elite offensive talent with exceptional face-off prowess and a player who maintains a strong work ethic. His leadership skills are arguably among his best assets. We’ve set out to bolster our roster this offseason and this addition is another important component in helping us achieve that. We’re very happy to welcome Claude and his family home to Ottawa.”

The Senators (33-42-7) missed the playoffs for the fifth straight season in 2021-22 but this offseason acquired forward Alex DeBrincat in a trade with the Chicago Blackhawks on July 7. They also acquired goalie Cam Talbot in a trade with the Minnesota Wild on Tuesday.