A recurring theme for the Ottawa Senators these past several months has been a pursuit of normalcy.
Distractions, drama, unresolved contract negotiations, and off-ice incompetency have all cast shadows over previous iterations of training camp, but this year feels different.
With apologies to Dustin Tokarski, who arrived on a professional tryout this week, the Sens’ offseason had a clear emphasis on finalizing contracts and making trades while there was plenty of runway left in the offseason.
Affording the players time to focus on their training and development is a welcomed outcome. There was a palpable sense of relief when the players spoke with the media on the first day of camp.
When asked about the lack of distractions surrounding the team, Sens captain Brady Tkachuk flashed his patented grin before (Tka)chuckling and answering the question.
“It’s different; it’s a unique feeling,” Tkachuk said. “But, to be honest with you, I didn’t really think about camp until flying in last night. I had, of course, other things to focus on (Tkachuk and his wife, Emma, had their first child this week).
“But, I think that it’s also going to keep things fresh, keep things energetic every day. I pride myself on coming in with a smile on my face, bring my work ethic, and try to lead by example that way. So yeah, this year it’s great that we can just have one goal in mind and can just focus on the goal, day in, day out.”
Another player who is embracing a distraction-free summer is 23-year-old Shane Pinto.
At this time last year, Pinto was a restricted free agent in need of a contract, and the Senators were an organization that spent its way to the upper reaches of the cap ceiling. Without the cap space to sign the young centre to a contract, the Senators were spared from having to decide on a cap casualty to fit Pinto in when the NHL suspended him for 41 games for using a proxy to place gambling bets.
Pinto looked invigorated and in good spirits.
“Yeah, it’s definitely good to be back for the first skate of training camp,” Pinto told reporters. “It just feels like a normal year and I’m just happy to be here.”
When asked whether that normalcy gave him a sense of confidence this year, Pinto expanded on his thoughts.
“Yeah, yeah, definitely. I think, you know, obviously last year there was a lot of distraction and a lot of adversity I had to go through, but I think it made me stronger. Coming into this year, you know, I had a good summer, not many distractions, and I feel pretty good out there, so I’m excited for it.”
When Jacques Martin took over at the midway point last season and told his players that they would never win if they continued to play their style, he reinforced the principle that the group needed to play a cohesive and structured game.
Hiring Travis Green as the new head coach meant that a fresh voice and set of eyes had arrived. But, there needs to be an urgency to get this group to continue the work done by Martin.
Poor starts have repeatedly sunk this organization’s chances, so having fewer distractions and allowing the players to focus strictly on hockey can be a subtle change that can have significant positive effects.
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