NHL
Left-handed centre welcomes the challenge of playing in Ottawa
Brassard raring to go for hometown Senators
Who says you can’t go home again?
Derick Brassard welcomed the move to the Senators with open arms.
Dealt to the Senators last month by the New York Rangers in exchange for Mika Zibanejad, the 28-year-old, who was born in Hull (now called Gatineau), can’t wait to suit up in Ottawa colours.
“I like that,” the Senators centre, who on Friday morning at the Bell Sensplex met with the local media for the first time since the trade last month, said when asked about the pressure of playing for his hometown team. “I’m a player that plays with a lot of emotions and I’ve played in some big games in the last three years and I’ve always really enjoyed that.
“Just the fact I’m going to play in front of my friends and my family, it’s going to give me another edge to my game. I think I’m in the prime of my career right now and I think that’s one of the reasons they went to get me. I’m just looking forward to playing my game.
“I’m not going to change anything, but I want to show everyone they made a good choice (acquiring him).”
On one of his first days on the job, Senators general manager Pierre Dorion picked up the phone and called Rangers GM Jeff Gorton to start working on this deal. They came close to making it happen at the draft in June, but couldn’t get it done because Dorion felt the asking price was too high.
While the Senators liked the potential for the 23-year-old Zibanejad, the belief is the organization had concerns about his commitment and in Brassard they saw somebody who was going to help them immediately. He scored 27 goals and had 48 points last season with the Rangers.
Brassard is a proven player who can make an impact.
“The one thing we’ve been looking for a while is a left-handed centre,” Dorion said Friday. “We talked bigger deals and smaller deals. We finally got the price to what we felt was a fair trade for both sides.
“First and foremost, he brings a left-handed centreman and we haven’t had a playmaking-type left-handed centreman for quite a few years. He brings experience and he brings a love and passion for the game. He improves our top six forwards right away.”
Dorion said Brassard, who went to the Stanley Cup final in 2014 with the Rangers, can help push the club to a new level.
“In the exit interviews a lot of players were telling us, ‘Yeah, I think we’re going to be a good team in two or three years.’ That was a bit bothersome for me because I think we can be a good team now and I think getting Derick makes us a much better team right now,” Dorion added.
Brassard spent the off-season in New York and has been working out in the suburb of Greenwich, Conn. He had left his phone at home on July 18 and had no idea he’d been dealt to Ottawa until he saw what he thought was an odd text from retired Tampa/New York forward Martin St. Louis.
“I was kind of shocked,” Brassard said. “I was coming back from training that morning and I didn’t have my phone on me. After a little while I just looked at my phone and I saw Martin St. Louis, his first text, said ‘Ottawa is (an) upcoming team and I think it’s going to be good for you.’ I was like, ‘What’s he talking about?’
“After that my phone started blowing up. I’m really excited to be here. It’s a proud moment for me and my family to be here and have the chance to play for the Sens. I’m just really, really excited.”
He went to several Senators games as a kid and his agent Allan Walsh of Octagon Hockey also represented former Ottawa winger Martin Havlat. Brassard, who has a home for sale in the Manotick area and plans to live closer to the rink, has returned to Ottawa to resume his training.
“I’m back for good and I’m looking forward to meeting all my teammates and working out here with (strength coach Chris Schwarz) and getting ready for the season,” said Brassard.
A look at the depth chart indicates Brassard, who has discussed his role with coach Guy Boucher, will be spending time playing with winger Bobby Ryan on his right side. Brassard is hopeful he can help. “When you look at all the (right-handed shots) on the team with (Mark) Stone and Bobby and (Curtis) Lazar, there’s a lot of potential. I’m really excited to play with one of those guys,” said Brassard, who has texted or spoken with most of his teammates.
“If I have the chance to play with Bobby I’m pretty sure we’re going to try to click right away. Like I said, his upside is there and I’m just going to try to fit with him. If the coach puts us together, we’re going to try to make it work.”
Brassard said he was aware coming into the off-season that anything could happen.
“It’s a new chapter, a new challenge and if I can bring the experience of New York and the pressure and everything, I think it’s going to be good for me.”
The Senators believe it will be good for everybody.