May 15, 2025 | 4:24pm ET
TheFourthPeriod.com

SENATORS WILL TRY TO ADD SCORER IN OFF-SEASON

Brock Boeser, forward

With more than $17.5 million in salary cap space going into the 2025-26 season, the Ottawa Senators will be looking to add at least one impact forward to their roster this off-season.

Veteran forward Claude Giroux is due for a new contract and can become an unrestricted free agent July 1, but there is mutual interest in keeping the relationship going and a short-term deal could be in the cards.

Giroux, 37, will surely see his annual average value drop from the $6.5 million it was this season, and a deal in the $3 million range may be likely if he re-signs with Ottawa.

Winger Fabian Zetterlund is set to become a restricted free agent this summer and will command a solid raise over the $1.5 million salary he earned this season.

With Giroux and Zetterlund signed to new deals, and RFA defenceman Tyler Kleven inked to a new deal, as well, the Senators will still have plenty of cap space to add a top-six winger, which GM Steve Staios will try to add either via trade or through free agency.

Forwards Brock Boeser, Nikolaj Ehlers and Mikael Granlund are among the wingers eligible to become UFAs in July and could be on Ottawa’s radar if the team goes the free agent route.