Edmonton set to make their next move after Claude Giroux officially chooses his team

Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reported the veteran is re-signing with the Senators for a fifth season, ending a week of Flyers and Oilers speculation.

For Edmonton, the timing is the story. Oilers insider Bob Stauffer suggested a defence move could land within the week, once the Giroux picture cleared.

The Ottawa Sun's Bruce Garrioch reported Edmonton was already out on Giroux before he chose, with Mark Spector confirming the Oilers were no longer involved.

Giroux was one of the last notable forwards on the board, and the trade market rarely moves until the free-agent market thins.

Teams still chasing scoring will not pivot to defence talks while a name like Giroux sits unsigned.

His decision unlocks the room, not Edmonton's shopping list.

That distinction matters, because Stan Bowman built this flexibility on July 1, not this week.

Trading Darnell Nurse's full $9.25 million to San Jose, without retention, was the move that actually reshaped the blue line.

Ryan Shea already slots into the top four, and young Shakir Mukhamadullin arrived in the Nurse deal.

The coming addition is about upgrading, not patching a hole.

Bowman kept roughly $6 million in space for a reason, and a right-shot defender who can play real minutes fits the profile.

With Mike Babcock installed to tighten a chaotic defensive zone, the next signing or trade completes a back end rebuilt around structure.

Giroux staying home did not start Edmonton's plan. It simply removed the last obstacle standing between the Oilers and the move they have been positioned to make since free agency opened.

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