Kent Hughes and the Montreal Canadiens again took a look at Claude Giroux this summer, but the veteran forward stayed put in Ottawa.
According to Bruce Garrioch, Montreal was among the Canadian teams that checked in on the 38-year-old Senators forward, with Edmonton also staying in the mix. Garrioch reported that the Oilers were not far behind in the pursuit and left the door open for Giroux if he wanted a real shot at winning the Stanley Cup.
For Montreal, the interest went beyond a passing glance. The Canadiens did their homework and made phone calls, showing real curiosity about a player who still brings plenty to the table. Nothing ever got serious, though, and no deal was finalized.
Giroux’s recent production helps explain why he drew attention. He put up 49 points in 82 games last season with a +20 rating, coming off a 50-point season the year before. And while he’s no longer in that phase of his career, his résumé still includes a 102-point season in 82 games with the Philadelphia Flyers.
This was also the second straight summer that Hughes reportedly explored the possibility of bringing Giroux to Montreal. Both times, the result was the same: Giroux chose to remain with the Senators.
The Canadiens, fresh off a run to the Eastern Conference Final, clearly see themselves as a team on the rise. Giroux would have fit as an experienced, dependable and affordable addition for Martin St-Louis’ group, but Montreal will have to keep searching elsewhere.
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