WHICH TEAM IS DION?
Phaneuf finds himself sharing breakfast with former rivals in Ottawa
“I like it (wearing No. 2). It’s a fresh start for me. It’s a new chapter in my career, my life.” — Dion Phaneuf
DETROIT — After all the verbal nastiness, slashes and jabs he has exchanged with Senators over the years, the first player on his new team that Dion Phaneuf met face to face Wednesday morning was its alltime tough guy.
Consider it a splash of irony to the Battle of Ontario.
Chris Neil was having breakfast by himself in the hotel restaurant when he was joined by the big defenceman, with whom he most recently invited to dance (only to be turned down) Saturday night at Canadian Tire Centre.
“Everyone else (was) still sleeping,” Neil said following the morning skate at Joe Louis Arena.
“He was the second guy down, so he came and sat with me. We were getting caught up, just sitting around and swapping some stories. It was awesome. He’s going to fit in great.” Phaneuf has the same feeling. In Calgary Tuesday with the Maple Leafs, he was informed in a phone conversation with GM Lou Lamoriello that he was being dealt to the Senators. At first he had to “digest” the news, which was much tougher than swallowing eggs with Neil.
“There’s a lot of thoughts that go through your mind when you get a call,” said Phaneuf, who then went on to tell the media horde something he would repeat over and over again during a 10-minute scrum.
“Now I’m excited about this new part of my career. I’m excited to be a part of this team.”
Helping was the warm reception he received from players he sneered at in his last game as a Leaf. It took some of the weirdness out of being traded to the cross-province rivals.
“Guys reached out (Tuesday), which means a lot, and then the guys this morning ... it was really nice,” said Phaneuf.
“They were all very accepting and very welcoming. To a guy who comes into a new room, that means a lot.
“You play against guys, you battle against them, you respect them ... and then later you’re in the same room. That’s sports.”
Coach Dave Cameron’s plan was to throw Phaneuf immediately into the fire. Against the Red Wings, he said he would use him on the power play, killing penalties and as Cody Ceci’s new partner in even-strength situations.
“It’s exciting, he’s obviously a highly touted player, a big name in the league, he’s a great all-around defenceman,” said Ceci, who was asked how long he expected it to take before the pair would find some chemistry.
“Hopefully not too long. We don’t have very many games to screw around. We need to win a lot of games in these last 30 or so. Hopefully, we can get it right away and be effective for the team.”
The defensively challenged Sens should get a boost of energy from the Phaneuf acquisition. Struggling with their confidence all season long, they have to see it as a vote of confidence from GM Bryan Murray. He doesn’t add Phaneuf if he thinks the playoffs are out of reach.
Positive results were expected to be immediate.
“Everyone wants to go out tonight and almost show him you’re a good player,” said Ceci. “It’s just different having a new guy in the room. It’s kind of a little more energetic and a little more excited to play.”
“I’m excited to get into this race here with this team,” said Phaneuf.
“I’m going to come in here and play what’s asked of me, do my job. I think that’s the bottom line when you’re a hockey player, you’re an athlete or you’re in any profession.
“You’ve got a job to do. You’re asked to do that job and you do it the best you can. That’s how I’m approaching it. I know they’ve got a lot of young talent here and I’m excited to be a part of this group.”
Phaneuf is the 13th player to wear No. 2 for the Senators, a jersey that most recently belonged to Jared Cowen. He didn’t offer Marc Methot anything for No. 3, which he wore with the Leafs.
“We were joking about that, but no,” said Phaneuf. “I’ve got a lot of respect for Me th. He’ s worn that number, it’s his number and I’m No .2. I like it. It’s a fresh start for me. It’s a new chapter in my career, my life.”