Oduya eager to prove his worth in nation’s capital
Most hockey photos of Johnny Oduya show him wearing a thick black beard that could rival any in the NHL, at least this side of San Jose.
But when he reports to Canadian Tire Centre Thursday morning for training camp physicals, the 35-year old defenceman will be clean-shaven and sporting a look of determination.
Oduya, signed by the Senators over the summer to bolster a blueline that lost veteran Marc Methot, is determined to wear that playoff face again. He’s also determined to prove last season was an aberration.
“It was a tough year for me,” Oduya said after skating at Bell Sensplex Wednesday with other Senators veterans. “Personally, I had some injuries lingering along, but I’m not going to blame anything on that. For me, this is a redemption year in a way. It’s going to show if I’m anywhere close to the player I think I can be. If not, that’s going to show, too.
“Of course, I believe I can play at a certain level that can help the team,” he added. “That’s what I want to do. Otherwise there’s no reason for me being here. I’m excited to be a part of a good team, obviously a structured team, where maybe some of my defensive game can help out. With that said, I want to have a good year.”
After picking up the second of two Stanley Cup rings with the Chicago Blackhawks in 2015, Oduya signed a two-year, $7.5-million deal with the Dallas Stars. The first season went OK. He played all 82 games. But last season, hampered by an ankle issue that wouldn’t go away, he suited up for 37 games before being dealt back to the Blackhawks, where he played 15 more.
Oduya dressed for all four of Chicago’s playoff games, averaging just under 20 minutes, then was informed his contract would not be renewed. The Senators picked him up for a song — a one-year deal at $1 million with bonuses available.
Asked if there were other offers on the table, Oduya said yes.
“I’m not going to go into detail what it was,” he continued. “I think this was the best one and, like I said, the best opportunity for me, trying to be a part of a good team and a team that’s moving forward and obviously ready to transition into making the next step and moving even further. That’s something that attracted me a lot.”
Oduya, a Swede who played in the QMJHL before starting what is now a 798-game NHL career with stints in New Jersey, Atlanta and Winnipeg as well, may have received a gentle nudge from Erik Karlsson to include Ottawa on his list.
“Obviously I talked a little bit to Erik,” said Oduya. “He had nothing but positive things to say, of course, except that it might get a little cold in the winter time. Other than that, we’re playing hockey, so that’s not a big issue. I lived in Canada before, in Winnipeg, and really liked it.”
Oduya says he and Karlsson didn’t discuss the possibility of being paired together and that Guy Boucher didn’t mention that might be the case either.
Playing with Karlsson would be a bonus, however.
“Yeah, I don’t think anybody could argue that,” said Oduya. “He’s possibly the best defenceman in the world. But I think there’s a lot of options in our lineup either way.”
Oduya might offer a reminder to his new teammates that life in the NHL does not come with guarantees. Just because the Senators had a good run last season doesn’t mean they’ll be back next spring. In his first year with the talentladen Stars, they were knocked out by the Blues in Game 7 of the second round. Instead of it being a stepping stone to bigger things, the Stars tripped all over themselves last season.
“Just because you feel you’re moving one year and you’re there, sometimes maybe you take a couple of things for granted,” said Oduya, referencing Dallas. “You get some unlucky games at the beginning, then all of a sudden you’re in a different place than you wanted to be. I think stating that really trying to push and move forward and get better, that’s going to be key.”
That just might allow Oduya to grow his playoff beard again.