Ottawa Senators defenseman Dion Phaneuf is excited about the new faces who joined the team this summer.
Speaking with TSN 1200 Radio on Monday, Phaneuf noted many positives in the Senators' offseason makeover.
Phaneuf, 31, highlighted the team's veteran additions, particularly center Derick Brassard.
"I’m very optimistic. I think you look at the moves that (general manager) Pierre (Dorion) made," Phaneuf said. "He brings in Brassard. Obviously Mika (Zibanejad) was a very talented young player, but you bring in Brassard.
"He’s a little bit older. A little bit more experienced. He produces. Look at the numbers that he puts up. So that was a very big addition."
Brassard, 28, scored 27 goals and 31 assists last season while with the New York Rangers.
Meanwhile, Phaneuf also highlighted the Senators' addition of experienced pivot Chris Kelly. The 35-year-old previously spent six seasons with the club, most recently in 2011.
"(Kelly) is an experienced guy. He’s won. He’s very good defensively. He can kill penalties. So we definitely had a real good summer in additions," Phaneuf added.
The big blue-liner spoke glowingly of Ottawa's new head coach, Guy Boucher.
"He loves the game. He’s very detailed in his systems and his structure of the way that he has his teams play," Phaneuf said. "He’s going to come in for day 1 of camp and that’s what he’s going to demand. So it’s our job to learn those systems and play to his structure."
Phaneuf is familiar with making such adjustments. After all, just last season he was dealt to Ottawa from the rival Toronto Maple Leafs.
"It was a real good transition for me, but I’m excited about having a full season in Ottawa and starting right from day 1 from training camp," Phaneuf said.
"When you come in and you get traded midseason, there’s a lot that happens. You’re moving your house. You’re moving everything into a new city, so there’s a lot of things that are new to you."
Phaneuf finished last season with 32 points in 71 games, tallying eight points in 20 games with the Senators.
