Phaneuf gets an ‘A’ for road games
Nobody can question the impact Dion Phaneuf has made on the Ottawa Senators since joining the team in February.
Now, he’ll have a letter on his sweater to show it.
Senators coach Guy Boucher confirmed Tuesday that Phaneuf will wear an ‘A’ for road games this season as one of the alternate captains, while centre Kyle Turris will have it on at home. Veteran winger Chris Neil will wear the ‘A’ at all times and, of course, the status of captain Erik Karlsson won’t change.
Coach Guy Boucher felt this was the right move.
“I don’t take anything away from the players that (were) assistant captains,” said Boucher on Tuesday morning.
“We just want to add. I’ve talked to Turris and he was the first guy to say, ‘Dion absolutely deserves (a letter).’ ”
That says a lot about what Phaneuf has done since arriving from the Toronto Maple Leafs in a trade last season.
“Phaneuf has made a huge impact,” said Boucher. “It was a terrific coup by the organization being able to bring him in. We definitely, as a team, need that type of leadership — somebody who has been there, has a lot of character, with a voice that has impact.
“He has a pushing type of leadership, a supporting type and pulling type. When you’ve got all three, you’re a major leader. Not a lot of guys have that.
“The players recognize that pretty quick. He’s hands on with everything. He and Erik will absolutely represent the core of our leadership. We wanted to recognize that.”
Phaneuf will help support Karlsson, who is heading into his third full season as the club’s captain.
“When you look at championship teams and winning teams, one thing that stands out, looking at Chicago, for example, they’ve got many guys that aren’t just respected, they have an impact daily,” said Boucher.