Claude Giroux Remaining in the Atlantic Division
Claude Giroux has found a new home! The Flyers legend is making a dramatic homecoming with the Ottawa Senators. The deal will be for three years and $6.5 million per season. In all honesty, Pierre Dorion and the Sens are building something really exciting. It was already looking good after the acquisition of Alex Debrincat from Chicago. Then came the goalie switch from Matt Murray to Cam Talbot. And now, it’s a heartwarming story as the Ontario native is set to help put the Sens back on the map. As well, it is a very good-looking top 6 group of forwards.
The Atlantic Bloodbath
This much is certain: the Atlantic Division is going to be an absolute battlefield next year. The Sens are only the latest example of that. You can look at Detroit, which has gotten busy with adding Andrew Copp and David Perron. Or Montreal, who is looking to be competitive with a young core after picking up Juraj Slafkovsky and Kirby Dach. Or Buffalo, who actually looks like they’re going somewhere with their rebuild after shipping Jack Eichel to Vegas.
Furthermore, you have the usual culprits in Tampa, Toronto, Boston, and Florida who were in the playoffs last year. It now looks like all eight teams are looking to take a step forward and fight for a playoff spot. Everyone thought the Metro was a bloodbath — and it very well could still be one. However, the whole Eastern Conference will now be at war with one another for the eight playoff spots. All in all, it’s great to finally see some parity in the NHL.
How Far Does Giroux Take Them?
It’s a poorly kept secret that Claude Giroux wants a Stanley Cup. And he would have had one if he had gotten traded to Colorado instead of Florida. Now, he’s got a new challenge. In all honesty, I respect it. The Flyers and Panthers didn’t have the cap space to bring him back. Instead, he gets to go back home and play with some exciting young talent. Which, if you ask me, is a pretty good deal. He is still a great player even at 34. He is one of the best playmakers and faceoff guys in the league. Teammates love him and he commands respect in the locker room. Having guys like Tim Stutzle and Brady Tkachuk there to absorb some veteran knowledge from him is great business. In a few years, we might need to have a serious conversation about the Senators.
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