Boucher will keep a close eye on this season’s prospects
Guy Boucher will make himself at home by moving into his new house Monday in Ottawa, but it doesn’t look like he’ll be sticking around to do the unpacking for long.
The Senators coach will bring his family to the home he’s purchased, but he’ll be spending some time at the rink this week because he wants to get a good look at the club’s prospects as development camp gets underway Tuesday at Canadian Tire Centre.
A lot of the Senators’ top young players will be on hand — including the players they chose in Saturday’s NHL Draft in Buffalo.
“It’s not an evaluation camp. It’s a development camp and I always say that because the kids come in and they feel they’ve got to impress right away. It’s not a moment to impress, it’s a moment to develop and get acquainted with the staff and the facilities and what they’re striving for,” Boucher said.
He spent some time with winger Clarke MacArthur on Wednesday night in Buffalo and was pleased to hear he’s doing well after missing most of last season with postconcussion syndrome.
“He’s healthy. That’s a huge part of the puzzle for this team. Gigantic. You can’t imagine,” Boucher said. “The players are unanimous about how important he is, not just on the ice but off the ice. He makes this team jell. He plays the right way and has the guts to say the right thing when it matters.”
While also meeting with the coaching staff he assembled, Boucher will be giving his input to Senators GM Pierre Dorion and the management staff on free agency.
Once the team is in place, Boucher can start working on the specifics for training camp in September.
“After (July 1), we can really start focusing on the team and specific plans of what I want to do with the power play and penalty kill,” Boucher said.
“I’ve got my way of doing things, but the big thing is to adjust to what I’ve got.
“We’ve got to play with our strengths and build on our weakness over time, not overnight. I really have to plan that gradually. I’ve told my assistants that we’re going to talk about that again and everybody is going to have homework for the summer so that when we’re back in August we’re able to share all that and then we can make the best (plan).” Boucher can’t wait to get going. “It’s very exciting, not just because it’s the NHL, it’s because I like the people I’m surrounded with,” Boucher said. “I really like the look of this team.”