Claude Giroux won 62.6% of his faceoffs this season, the best mark among forwards with 400+ draws. At 36 years old, playing 16:33 per night for the Ottawa Senators, he remains one of the NHL's most reliable centers in the circle. But here's what makes his season fascinating: the faceoffs might be the least important thing he's doing.
The Senators sit at 36-24-9 with 81 points, four points out of an Eastern Conference wild card spot, riding a 16-5-4 surge since January that has them averaging 3.72 goals per game while allowing just 2.22. Giroux's role in that transformation tells a story about how veteran leadership actually works in practice, not in clichés.
#28 · RW · 82 GPThe Quiet Evolution
Strip away the narrative about veteran presence and leadership, and what you find is a player who has quietly reinvented his deployment at an age when most forwards are either retired or relegated to fourth-line duty. Giroux's 16:33 average time on ice represents a careful balance - meaningful minutes without the burden of carrying an entire offense.
His 43 points in 69 games project to a 51-point pace over 82 games, which sounds underwhelming until you consider the context. Per MoneyPuck, Giroux's on-ice expected goals percentage sits at 52.0%, meaning Ottawa generates better scoring chances than they allow when he's on the ice. More tellingly, his +20 plus/minus rating suggests his impact extends well beyond individual point production.
The advanced metrics reveal a player whose shot profile has evolved intelligently with age. His 115 shots this season reflect a player who understands exactly where his opportunities come from, focusing on quality over quantity rather than hunting for highlight-reel moments.
Systems Fit and Deployment
What makes Giroux's season particularly interesting is how perfectly he fits Ottawa's current system under Travis Green. Per MoneyPuck, Giroux's zone deployment tells the story: 13.9% offensive zone starts versus 16.8% defensive zone starts. That's not sheltered minutes - it's balanced deployment that asks him to contribute in all three zones. His 52.0% on-ice xGF% indicates Ottawa generates better scoring chances than they allow when he's on the ice.
The faceoff dominance provides the foundation for everything else. Winning 410 of 655 draws gives Ottawa consistent possession starts, particularly crucial for a team that has built its surge on territorial control. But it's what happens after those wins that matters most.
The Leadership Question
Here's where the analysis gets tricky. How do you measure leadership? Giroux has taken 11 penalties this season, resulting in 22 penalty minutes, suggesting disciplined play that avoids costly infractions. His 44 giveaways indicate occasional struggles, but these aren't the numbers of a player carrying a team through individual dominance.
Instead, they're the numbers of a player who understands his role within a larger system. His power play contributions include one goal and 10 points, with nine assists coming on the man advantage. His penalty kill deployment is minimal, reflecting his primary role in even-strength and power play situations.
Value Analysis
The contract becomes more interesting when viewed through Ottawa's competitive timeline. The Senators aren't built for a championship run this season, but they're clearly ahead of their rebuilding schedule. Giroux's veteran presence aligns with a window where Ottawa's young core should be entering their primes.
What the Numbers Say
• 62.6% faceoff percentage - Best among forwards with 400+ draws, providing consistent possession starts for Ottawa's transition game
• +20 plus/minus - Strong two-way impact despite modest offensive totals
• 52.0% on-ice xGF% - Per MoneyPuck, Ottawa generates better scoring chances than they allow with Giroux on ice
• 115 shots - Reflects efficient shot selection rather than volume shooting
• 16:33 average TOI - Meaningful minutes without overwhelming responsibility, perfect deployment for a 36-year-old veteran
• 0.62 points per game - Identical to his pace last season, showing consistency despite aging curve
• 410 faceoff wins - Most on the team, providing foundation for Ottawa's improved territorial control during their 16-5-4 surge
Looking Ahead
The question isn't whether Giroux can maintain this level - it's whether Ottawa can build around what he provides. His faceoff dominance and steady two-way play create a foundation that allows younger players to take risks. Ottawa's young core can focus on creating offense knowing Giroux will handle the defensive responsibilities and possession battles.
As Ottawa pushes for their first playoff appearance since 2017, Giroux's value becomes clearer. He's not the player who will carry them to a championship, but he might be exactly the player who gets them there. At 36, winning faceoffs at an elite level while providing steady veteran presence, he's doing something more valuable than putting up points.
He's teaching a young team how to win. The faceoffs are just the foundation.