{"id":782329,"date":"2026-07-05T18:55:31","date_gmt":"2026-07-05T18:55:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/782329\/"},"modified":"2026-07-05T18:55:31","modified_gmt":"2026-07-05T18:55:31","slug":"claude-giroux-the-maple-leafs-are-trying-to-lure-him-to-toronto","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/782329\/","title":{"rendered":"Claude Giroux: The Maple Leafs Are Trying to Lure Him to Toronto"},"content":{"rendered":"

Claude Giroux is one of the free agents still on the market.<\/p>\n

The 38-year-old veteran still has plenty of good hockey left in him, and many are wondering where he’ll end up.<\/p>\n

In total, three teams are reportedly still in the running.<\/p>\n

We already knew that the Philadelphia Flyers and the Senators were interested.<\/p>\n

The Flyers, in fact<\/a>, seemed to be very close to signing him<\/a>, but there has been no confirmation (neither from the Flyers nor from Giroux’s camp).<\/p>\n

In fact, it appears that Leo Carlsson’s situation is what has put Giroux’s return to Philly on hold.<\/p>\n

\"\"(Credit: HockeyBuzz.com<\/a>)<\/p>\n

However, another team is reportedly interested in his services: the Toronto Maple Leafs.<\/p>\n

In a recent article in the Ottawa Citizen<\/a>, Bruce Garrioch mentions that the Leafs are reportedly very interested in the veteran.<\/p>\n

Will Claude Giroux stay or will he go? Fans of the Senators and Flyers want to know
Ottawa Citizen https:\/\/t.co\/gTLjOJZoq3<\/a> via @ottawacitizen<\/a> #Sens<\/a> #Flyers<\/a> #Ottawa<\/a> #LeafsForever<\/a> #NHLFreeAgency<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Bruce Garrioch (@SunGarrioch) July 5, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

The Edmonton Oilers were also in the running at one point, but according to Mark Spector, they are no longer in the \u201cmix.\u201d<\/p>\n

Edmonton is not in the mix. https:\/\/t.co\/SwWCFZMEBx<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Mark Spector\"\ud83c\udde8\"\"\ud83c\udde6\ud83c\uddfa\"\"\ud83c\udde6\" (@SportsnetSpec) July 3, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

So Giroux could either return to Ottawa, go back to where it all began (Philadelphia), or choose Toronto as his new destination.<\/p>\n

With the Leafs, Giroux would provide stability at center on the third line and could very well play alongside players like Easton Cowan or Nick Paul.<\/p>\n

That would greatly strengthen the center line with Auston Matthews, John Tavares, Claude Giroux, and Colton Sissons\/Teddy Blueger.<\/p>\n

Part of me would love to see him return to Philadelphia to finish his career there. He’s played over 1,000 games in a Flyers uniform.<\/p>\n

Plus, the Flyers need Giroux more than Toronto does. With a center line consisting of Trevor Zegras, Christian Dvorak, Noah Cates, and Sean Couturier, adding Giroux wouldn’t hurt.<\/p>\n

Let’s see which destination Giroux chooses.<\/p>\n

In a Nutshell<\/p>\n

\u2013 It was to be expected.<\/p>\n

Jason Robertson has indicated he will file for arbitration ahead of today’s 5 p.m. ET deadline, per @FriedgeHNIC<\/a>.<\/p>\n

This will make Robertson ineligible to sign an offer sheet. pic.twitter.com\/YVqPN1pj2L<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) July 5, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2013 Take notes, Pat.<\/p>\n

Pat Verbeek might want to take a look at this list. This is how it’s done. https:\/\/t.co\/bmebdEFjXs<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Mike Harrington (@ByMHarrington) July 5, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2013 That’s right, it’s pretty rare.<\/p>\n

Very rarely do we see players sign their qualifying offer.<\/p>\n

Notable examples in recent history:<\/p>\n

Patrik Laine \u2013 July 2021
, $7.5 million with CBJ<\/p>\n

Pierre-Luc Dubois \u2013 July 2022
, $6 million with WPG<\/p>\n

(QO is always for one year) https:\/\/t.co\/RwRZlXRlkD<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Nicolas Cloutier (@NCloutierTVA) July 5, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n