DUCHENE’S SENS DEBUT
Faces old team on world stage
The Ottawa Senators smiled for the cameras as they donned their team jerseys before a skate that lasted over an hour Thursday.
Most noticeable in the club’s red sweater was newly-acquired centre Matt Duchene, who will make his Senators debut against his former Colorado Avalanche teammates today (2 p.m. ET) in Game 1 of the NHL’s Global Series at the Ericsson Globe. Both games this weekend are sold out at the 13,303-capacity arena.
Naturally, there will be no shortage of attention on the Swedish players, including Ottawa captain Erik Karlsson, Fredrik Claesson and Johnny Oduya, along with Colorado captain Gabriel Landeskog. But many eyes will be on Duchene — who was acquired from the Avs on Sunday in a blockbuster deal — as he centres a line between Mike Hoffman and Zack Smith.
Duchene admitted Thursday he’ll be nervous facing his old teammates, and pulling on his new No. 95 jersey for the picture before practice didn’t quite feel right just yet.
“Even (Thursday) for the team picture it was different,” Duchene said. “I’ve played on different teams internationally in my career and those are different groups and different uniforms, so it’s not totally foreign. It’s not like (the Avalanche) is the only team I’ve played on for the last years.
“But yeah, looking across and seeing the jersey I used to wear, it will be a little bit of an adjustment, but I think once the puck drops it’ll be fine.”
As the skate wrapped up, it was pointed out to Duchene by a reporter that he spent a lot of time chatting with coach Guy Boucher before leaving the ice.
“We were talking about a lot of things in general,” Duchene said. “He and I go back a little bit. We worked together at the under-18s in Russia and we had a really good relationship. We talked a lot about hockey and different things. I’m older than I was then, but I expect some of that relationship to carry over where there’s times that we pick each other’s brains and chat about stuff.
“That’s kind of what that was. We talked a little bit about (today). He was giving me some good advice. I’m excited. It will be a little nerve-racking. I’ll have butterflies for sure. I’m just get started with this team and start my new chapter.”
There’s no question the Swedish players have attracted a lot of attention, but so has Duchene since the Senators arrived here and he’s been facing questions daily. He spent a good 10 minutes with a large group of reporters Thursday after leaving the ice.
“It comes with the territory of the situation,” Duchene said. “I’m just trying to be one of the guys in here and not talking about it other than maybe with (the media) or privately with the coaches.
“For me, it’s about fitting into my new environment and being one of the guys. I don’t want to stand out in any way. That’s important for me right now. It’s been something that the guys have really taken in stride and it hasn’t been a distraction, which I’ve been happy about.”
Veteran winger Alex Burrows has been through this before after facing the Vancouver Canucks last month for the first time since being dealt to Ottawa.
“It’s going to be weird for sure,” Burrows said. “First off, it’s a Global Series match against a team he played (with) for a long time and he’s probably got some really good friends on that team. So far he’s been fitting in really nice. He’s been spending some quality time with the boys on the road.
“It’s a good time to be around the boys this much early on.”
Like everybody else, Duchene just wants to get going here. The Senators haven’t played since a 5-4 loss last Saturday afternoon to the Vegas Golden Knights and they’ve had the opportunity to find out what Sweden’s capital city has to offer while trying to adjust to the six-hour time difference.
That’s been the most difficult aspect of this trip to overcome for everyone involved.
“I don’t think we’ve been here very long, but it’s going to be exciting to play and I think everybody is feeling the same way,” Karlsson said. “We’re getting accustomed (to the time change) and I think we’ll feel a little bit better (today) than we did (Thursday).
“It’s always tough to fly that far. A six-hour time difference is never easy, but it’s the same for everyone. We all did the same thing. It’s going to be an even playing field out there and we’ve got to find a way to feel the best we can.”
One noticeable change Boucher made in practice Thursday was with his defensive pairings and it looks like Karlsson may start today’s game with Claesson.
“I’ve played with him before. He’s a good player, a young player and he’s dedicated to playing hard and he’s someone I feel like I have good chemistry with,” Karlsson said. “Whoever I end up playing with I feel like it’s working out well.”
Eugene Melnyk can’t hide his excitement.
Not only is the Ottawa Senators owner thrilled his team will face the Colorado Avalanche in the NHL Global Series that gets underway Friday (2 p.m. ET) at the Ericsson Globe, Melnyk’s also looking forward to the debut of newly acquired forward Matt Duchene against his former team.
Melnyk has had this date circled on the calendar for months and the fact Duchene is now part of it adds to what was already going to be something the franchise was pleased to participate in before GM Pierre Dorion made the deal Sunday with Colorado.
“It’s been something we’ve looked forward to all summer,” Melnyk said Thursday before taking a city tour. “It’s especially exciting with Duchene coming on board and we’re now playing against his old team.
“We went to the players first because we wanted to make sure they were good with this (overseas trip). It’s a little extra work. They have to travel, they have to be away from their families for over a week and everybody was completely in — especially the Swedes. (Captain) Erik (Karlsson) was excited we were able to come here and show off his team. It’s a beautiful city, beautiful country and nice people.”
The decision to get Duchene just before the Senators arrived here has worked out well for the team and Melnyk backed the three-team deal by Dorion that sent centre Kyle Turris to the Nashville Predators.
“I was very excited,” Melnyk said. “Matt could be the difference for us going into the playoffs and actually winning a few rounds. I really enjoyed (Turris). I welcomed him on his very first day when he got off the plane from Arizona. To see him go is really kind of sad because I really liked him as a person.
“But you bring in Matt and he’s got more of the power forward look than Kyle. I really think he’s going to contribute and I think that’s really positive. He’s going to add some points for us.”
Of course, Melnyk is hopeful the fans in Ottawa can get behind this team as much as he does. He didn’t want to get into any discussion about the delicate matter of the club’s attendance because it’s something the organization is focused on and trying to improve.
The move to get Duchene was also made to let the fans know the Senators want to win.
“I hope the message gets out that it doesn’t get better than this,” Melnyk said. “If you think it’s just winning a Stanley Cup, it doesn’t go that deep. If this doesn’t get people to come see the team, nothing will. We’re going to keep trying (to raise attendance). We’re going to keep hammering away.
“I just hope people recognize that I’ve done my side of the deal. We’re giving you a great team and a team some other teams would like to have. I feel we’re going to be a contender. What else could Pierre add that’s available? I feel like we’ve got some guys in Belleville (American Hockey League) who could blossom. I love where we are.”
Melnyk already liked his team before the move was made because after getting to the East final last spring against the Pittsburgh Penguins, he feels this team can go further. He has been pleased with the job done by Dorion and coach Guy Boucher.
“Everybody is jinxed, so I don’t want to say it, but I am really excited,” he said. “It’s a better team than last year. Fighting through all those series last year was brutal. As a spectator and owner, I was completely exhausted after that.
“Of course the players were (worn out) as well and everybody was hurt. It’s really a game of attrition when it comes down to the late second and third rounds. It’s still on the ice and who can still play. I’m just hoping we have the depth now and maintain the depth to maintain us through the playoffs. This is a playoff team. You’ve got to admit it’s a playoff team and once the playoffs start anything can happen.”