New Senators forward Nick Cousins is confident his championship pedigree will help Ottawa get back into the playoff mix.
"It was important for me to find the right fit and to come to a team where I know I can help out and have a role," Cousins told Postmedia's Bruce Garrioch. "With the two Cup runs I've been on in the last two years and playing in the final, I think I can help this young group of guys."
The Senators signed Cousins to a one-year, $800,000 contract in late August to shore up their depth up front. The 31-year-old reached back-to-back Stanley Cup Finals with the Florida Panthers, winning a title this past spring.
Ottawa hasn't made the playoffs since 2017 and has big expectations to end its postseason drought after an active offseason.
"I've been in some high-pressure situations and high-pressure games," Cousins said. "That's what we're going to go through here when the season gets going here, then into March and April when we're playing in playoff-game-like atmospheres. We'll be going into tough buildings when the emotions are high, and just to be in the room and help these guys, knowing they already have tremendous leaders with (Claude) Giroux, Brady (Tkachuk), and those guys.
"I really think I can help out in that area, plus with my play, I can give them better depth. I can just try to help out wherever they need me."
Before bringing in Cousins, the Senators signed Linus Ullmark to be their new No. 1 netminder and acquired veteran forwards David Perron and Michael Amadio. Ottawa also hired Travis Green to be its new head coach.
"All their young guys are a year older, and with Travis Green coming in - and I got a chance to talk to him before I signed - this group is super hungry and is excited for the season to get going," Cousins said.
Cousins has played 10 NHL seasons split between the Philadelphia Flyers, Arizona Coyotes, Montreal Canadiens, Vegas Golden Knights, Nashville Predators, and Panthers. He's notched 180 points in 592 career games.
