Claude Giroux and Mike Babcock made enough sense that Edmonton took a serious look.
That part of Elliotte Friedman's update should not surprise anyone. Giroux is still unsigned, and Edmonton was one of the teams tied to him as the Oilers kept searching for one more veteran forward.
The fit starts with what Giroux still is. In 2025-26, he played all 82 games for Ottawa and finished with 14 goals and 35 assists for 49 points.
That is not top-line offense anymore. It is still real offense for a 38-year-old who can settle a shift down, help on the power play, and slide around a lineup without needing sheltered minutes.
The details make him even more interesting for Edmonton. Giroux won 63.1% of his faceoffs last season, which is the kind of number contenders notice fast when they are trying to tighten the middle of the ice.
And this Oilers roster still had a clear reason to ask. Edmonton's 2025-26 group leaned heavily on Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl for offense, while the forward mix kept needing more support underneath them.
" Elliotte Friedman: Re Claude Giroux: I do think Edmonton was one of the teams interested - Sportsnet (7/3) "
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The Oilers reportedly came incredibly close to a blockbuster veteran signing
Giroux would not have been brought in to carry a line. He would have been there to give Babcock another smart veteran who can make second and third units feel less rushed.
That matters even more with Babcock now behind the bench. Marqueur's reporting around the hire made it plain Edmonton wanted a stronger, more demanding voice after moving on from the previous staff.
Giroux's career says he can live in that kind of environment. He has played 1,345 NHL games and produced 1,165 points, which is the résumé of a player coaches trust right away.
The issue may have been timing and competition more than hockey logic. Ottawa and Philadelphia were also around this file, and family comfort has been part of Giroux's decision-making before.
So yes, Friedman saying Edmonton was interested tracks cleanly. Giroux still had enough game to help, Edmonton still had enough reason to ask, and the Oilers were clearly looking for exactly this type of short-term veteran answer.
That does not mean Edmonton was wrong to back away, if that is where this went. It just means the logic was there from the start. Claude Giroux made too much sense for the Oilers not to at least explore it.
Did the Oilers miss a smart move by not landing Claude Giroux?
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