Player Discussion Claude Giroux

[Larionov]

In watching Giroux last night you can see the falloff in his game in plain sight. Not only is he not generating offense like he has the last couple of years, but his skills on the PK have left him. We cannot get sentimental with this contract in the off-season - either he is willing to sign a one year deal at a significantly lower number to play in the bottom six, or you let him walk and use that cap space on a younger player. Father Time comes for everyone eventually, and with Giroux turning 37 in January I think it is clear that Father Time has come knocking on his door.

 

[LuckyPierre]

In watching Giroux last night you can see the falloff in his game in plain sight. Not only is he not generating offense like he has the last couple of years, but his skills on the PK have left him. We cannot get sentimental with this contract in the off-season - either he is willing to sign a one year deal at a significantly lower number to play in the bottom six, or you let him walk and use that cap space on a younger player. Father Time comes for everyone eventually, and with Giroux turning 37 in January I think it is clear that Father Time has come knocking on his door.

It's starting to become tough to watch. He's just not able to move out there at the pace of the opposition.

It's the first step that's gone, so he's out of ideal position for most puck battles. He's smart enough that he's often incorporated desperation dives into his repertoire to clear pucks or chip them in. But he's no longer a playmaker because of that inability to keep pace with play.

It's like watching the offensively gifted version of late stage Chris Phillips.

 

[PlayOn]

I don’t understand why they play him so much. Give him 15 minutes a night instead of 18-20 and maybe he’ll be a bit more effective.

 

[bicboi64]

I don’t understand why they play him so much. Give him 15 minutes a night instead of 18-20 and maybe he’ll be a bit more effective.

We don't have better wingers to replace him on even strength. He's our best FO guy, so you want him on the PK.

I guess Green could cut his PP time, but he's already on PP2.

Either other forwards have to step up on the PK, or we acquire better forward depth.

 

[PlayOn]

We don't have better wingers to replace him on even strength. He's our best FO guy, so you want him on the PK.

I guess Green could cut his PP time, but he's already on PP2.

Either other forwards have to step up on the PK, or we acquire better forward depth.

our PK sucks anyway. Might as well remove him, Norris is good at faceoffs and the others aren’t bad either.

I’m not sure the faceoff prowess outweighs what you gain by reducing his minutes and maybe keeping his legs fresher. But what do I know

 

[JackieDaytona]

We’re lucky as Sens fans to have the Claudefather on the team and in this org. He may not be as dynamic as he once was, but a) he was a top player in the league - his post prime is still damn good and he’s more than earned his contract; b) his first season with us was still spectacular; and most importantly c) the traits that make him great (vision, smarts, competitiveness, composure) age extremely well.

I feel like he’s still got a lot left in the tank. His contract is up at the end of the year. I’m optimistic that he likes the direction of the team and still wants to play out his career here. Hoping that is the case and he’s eager to stay.

What do you think is a reasonable contract for him? Where does he play in the lineup over the next couple years?

 

[DrEasy]

We’re lucky as Sens fans to have the Claudefather on the team and in this org. He may not be as dynamic as he once was, but a) he was a top player in the league - his post prime is still damn good and he’s more than earned his contract; b) his first season with us was still spectacular; and most importantly c) the traits that make him great (vision, smarts, competitiveness, composure) age extremely well.

I feel like he’s still got a lot left in the tank. His contract is up at the end of the year. I’m optimistic that he likes the direction of the team and still wants to play out his career here. Hoping that is the case and he’s eager to stay.

What do you think is a reasonable contract for him? Where does he play in the lineup over the next couple years?

I like Giroux, but it's time to move on IMO. Use his cap hit + Forsberg's to acquire a good winger for Stutzle in 2025 and beyond.

 

[NyQuil]

Part of me still thinks he’s pacing himself.

I really like the guy so maybe I’m biased.

 

[LiseL]

We’re lucky as Sens fans to have the Claudefather on the team and in this org. He may not be as dynamic as he once was, but a) he was a top player in the league - his post prime is still damn good and he’s more than earned his contract; b) his first season with us was still spectacular; and most importantly c) the traits that make him great (vision, smarts, competitiveness, composure) age extremely well.

I feel like he’s still got a lot left in the tank. His contract is up at the end of the year. I’m optimistic that he likes the direction of the team and still wants to play out his career here. Hoping that is the case and he’s eager to stay.

What do you think is a reasonable contract for him? Where does he play in the lineup over the next couple years?

The problem is we only have 4 true top 6 players (Brady, Norris, Drake, Stu). All of the others should be slotted in the bottom 6, getting a little crowded down there.

Even if they don't re-sign G, that still may not free up enough cap space to get 2 top-6 forwards + at least 2 D which means someone from the bottom 6 will be playing in the top 6, just like this year. They already have Perron for that, not sure I want to also have G in the same situation.

I think it'll depend on who they can acquire in the off-season. If Sens make the playoffs this year, maybe they won't be such a bad destination for players who don't mind playing in Canada. If they can't get 2 forwards, then offer G Perron type money and rotate him and Perron in the top 6 if none of the other forwards take a step.

 

[bicboi64]

If management wants to keep him, I think he gets the same contract as Perron at the least.

He's pacing for 55ish points right now and if he can keep up the same production, it wouldn't be the worst caphit at $4 million.

 

[PlayersLtd]

You set an internal number of 2 years at 3.5 aav, pay it up front as a bonus, be honest about the possibility of him sliding to the third line, get him on board with cap flexibility for roster shaping reasons, promise him a cushy post retirement job and let him decide for himself and his family.

I love Claude and think his leadership and grit is very important to this team but the reality is that as he regresses we are going to need up to two top 6 wingers and we need cap flexibility to do that. 3.5 is the number. He is one of the hard decisions that will have to be made as we build a contender with no bad contracts.

 

[Larionov]

Like the rest of the team, he has actually been picking it up lately. He seems to play better on the road, likely because he gets more sleep. ;-) Still, it is becoming clear that he is no longer a top six winger. He is a smart player, a competitor, and his conditioning is top notch, so he can probably carve out a role for himself as a bottom six guy and faceoff/PK specialist for another season or two after this one, but he is going to have to be paid as such in order to make our cap work...

 

[DueDiligence]

If management wants to keep him, I think he gets the same contract as Perron at the least.

He's pacing for 55ish points right now and if he can keep up the same production, it wouldn't be the worst caphit at $4 million.

$3 million at most to be a 3rd line guy. If the Sens make the playoffs other players will see them as a viable option and they could sign a legit top 6 guy.

 

[Alex1234]

Rantanen, Marner, Boeser and Palmieri are the only 2025 UFAs RW with more PPG than Giroux if Im not mistaken

Not sure we can afford one to replace Claude if he falls to bottom 6 or retires

 

[bicboi64]

$3 million at most to be a 3rd line guy. If the Sens make the playoffs other players will see them as a viable option and they could sign a legit top 6 guy.

He's not taking $3 million, at least not on a multi-year deal.

Even with his regression, he's the 28th-highest RW in scoring. He's getting worse, but he's still a legitimate top 6 forward. Even if he regresses to just 50points, that'd still be fine production for the 6th best forward in a top 6.

 

[Golden_Jet]

our PK sucks anyway. Might as well remove him, Norris is good at faceoffs and the others aren’t bad either.

I’m not sure the faceoff prowess outweighs what you gain by reducing his minutes and maybe keeping his legs fresher. But what do I know

Last 5 games, since they said they were adjusting the PK strategy, their running at 92%

 

[DueDiligence]

He's not taking $3 million, at least not on a multi-year deal.

Even with his regression, he's the 28th-highest RW in scoring. He's getting worse, but he's still a legitimate top 6 forward. Even if he regresses to just 50points, that'd still be fine production for the 6th best forward in a top 6.

You want to pay the guy for what he was. I want to pay him for what he will be.
He's been regressing since mid last year and I know he can still do some really good things but he can't do them consistently any more. In another year he will be less than what he is now and alot less than when he first signed with the Sens..

 

[bicboi64]

You want to pay the guy for what he was. I want to pay him for what he will be.
He's been regressing since mid last year and I know he can still do some really good things but he can't do them consistently any more. In another year he will be less than what he is now and alot less than when he first signed with the Sens..

I'd love to sign him for $3 million in an ideal world. Odds are, if we extend him and he plays a similar amount of ice time as this year, he scores 50 points. Last year that was top 30 for right wings, will likely be in the top 60 this season as well. Statistically, even if he regresses, he'll probably score enough to justify making more than $3 million.

Giroux might sign below market value as a 'hometown discount', but based on his comparable, I don't think he'll take $3 million.

 

[SensFactor]

Im starting to see signs of his age finally coming through this season. Hes going to be 37, but I do think he will stay in Ottawa. The cap hit cannot be anywhere north of $4M however.

 

[JD1]

Ultimately this is going to come down to what Claude wants. He's made his money. He's settled where he intends to settle. Does he want the disruption of temporarily relocating his family? Does he want to live in a condo away from his family? I highly doubt both.

I think they go year by year and he leaves money on the table

 

[Micklebot]

Ultimately this is going to come down to what Claude wants. He's made his money. He's settled where he intends to settle. Does he want the disruption of temporarily relocating his family? Does he want to live in a condo away from his family? I highly doubt both.

I think they go year by year and he leaves money on the table

I hope he can play out the remainder of his career here, was among my favourite non-sens before he signed here. He's not the player he once was but if they can find a fair deal he can still contribute

 

[OD99]

I hope he can play out the remainder of his career here, was among my favourite non-sens before he signed here. He's not the player he once was but if they can find a fair deal he can still contribute

How the team does the rest of the season probably plays into it.

If he feels the team is progressing and specifically if we make the playoffs, I can see him taking a home town discount to allow more flexibility for roster maneuvering next season.

I have zero doubt that he is still the most competitive person on our team and just wants to win.