Ottawa Senators Could Make Claude Giroux Available if Playoff Hopes Fade Before Trade Deadline

The Senators find themselves in a precarious position with the March 6 trade deadline approaching. Ottawa trails the Bruins by seven points for the final wild card spot in the Eastern Conference and also sits behind the Capitals and Blue Jackets in the standings.

That difficult math has pushed a familiar name into trade speculation. NHL insider Pierre LeBrun reported in The Athletic that the Senators could make veteran forward Claude Giroux available if their playoff hopes continue to slip over the next week.

While the Senators might be interested in putting Giroux on the trade block, his full no-movement clause makes things tough for Ottawa. The 38-year-old has been a key member of the Senators’ lineup since he left Philadelphia and got signed as a free agent.

The longtime Flyers star would rather remain with the Senators, according to LeBrun’s reporting. Giroux believes Ottawa can still make the playoffs despite the current gap in the standings.

“Giroux has a full no-move clause, and Ottawa is his home,” LeBrun wrote. “But he’s also never won a Cup. My sense is Giroux would rather stay put because he thinks they can still make the playoffs. But if the Sens struggle over the next week and dig a hole, that could make them think about things.”

The Senators are already looking out for the postseason. If Giroux can be the catalyst for a winning stretch, then that changes things. While his commitment to Ottawa’s playoff push gets solidified, the struggling Sens get a chance to reconsider their options ahead of the trade deadline.

Giroux continues to produce at a high level despite his age. He has recorded 11 goals, 28 assists, and 39 points with a plus-15 rating across 58 games this season. Those numbers demonstrate why contending teams would covet his services if he becomes available.

The former Flyers captain represents exactly the type of veteran forward that playoff teams target at the deadline. His experience, two-way ability and proven production in pressure situations make him valuable to any roster chasing the Stanley Cup.

Giroux has never won a championship during his illustrious career. That missing piece could factor into his thinking if the Senators fall further behind in the wild-card race.

Philadelphia sits below Ottawa in the Eastern Conference standings, eliminating any chance of Giroux returning to the organization where he spent his formative years. The Flyers entered the Olympic break well outside playoff contention and have shifted toward building for the future.

Any trade involving Giroux would send him to a legitimate contender rather than back to Philadelphia. The Senators will monitor their standing closely before making any decisions about their veteran leader.