When training camp gets underway for the Ottawa Senators, it's going to have a much different look than in years past. There will be a lot of younger faces on the ice hoping to make their mark on the club, and there will also be a new man at the front of the room trying to lead them in a different direction.
Former long time Detroit Red Wings assistant coach, Paul MacLean, takes over as bench boss from the deposed Cory Clouston who failed to lead the Senators to the playoffs two of his three years in charge.
MacLean is ready to see what his new players have to offer and show them what he's all about as well.
"I've worked in the National Hockey League for nine years, I know the players that have been in the league but I don't know the kids that have been in Binghamton," said the 53-year old MacLean. "They can research me and I can research them but what's done on the ice is where it counts."
Following a disappointing 2010-11 season where the Senators finished 13th in the Eastern Conference - 19 points out of a playoff position - they are ready to begin a rebuilding effort.
Veterans such as Jason Spezza are going to be key to that project and that's a role the 10-year veteran is prepared to accept.
"You take a little different role as you get older, you have to not only worry about yourself but what else is going on in the dressing room and making sure that everyone is on the same page," said Spezza who finished last season with 21 goals and 57 points.
Defenceman Chris Phillips, who broke into the league in 1997, is also ready to mentor the younger players in the dressing room.
"There is definitely going to be a lot of new faces and young guys, we're going to do our best to help them out and let them do what they do best," said Phillips, a former first overall selection in the 1996 Draft. "At the same time, we have to lead by example and be prepared every night and be at the top of our games."
The rebuilding process is nothing new to captain Daniel Alfredsson, who spent his first season in the league on a last place Ottawa club that would eventually be turned into a Finals runner-up.
He feels that along with the rest of the experienced players on the team, he is ready to lead the next generation of Senators into battle.
"With us older guys, we can definitely help the young guys with the transition from junior or AHL or Europe to the NHL," said Alfredsson. "If I can help make that transition quicker, I'll be very proud."
MacLean, meanwhile, knows if this rebuild is going to be successful he'll need all of his veterans to be good examples in and out of uniform.
"Our expectation for them is to be our best players everyday and you can't be the best player if you're the last guy onto the ice," said MacLean. "I think that it's really important that our leadership group takes charge of this team and shows them the right way of doing things."
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