SNAPSHOTS: Coach DJ Smith says it will give young players a chance to show they can dress for the Senators.

“Can you do it when the lights are on?”

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The kids will have a chance at the Ottawa Senators preseason.

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Coach Dj smith He has practically prepared his lineup for the first four games of the preseason that begins Sunday in Winnipeg against the Jets and will be trying to determine where everyone fits.

“You want to see the speed of the NHL. It’s not going to be an NHL game because you will still have American league players and youth players in the beginning, but it will get a little faster later, ”Smith said Friday. “Can you do it when the lights are on?

“Usually you can tell guys with enough exhibition games that they are supposed to make plays, and they make plays. Well, can you do them consistently? You see if a boy is worth keeping, especially a young child. If he can’t make plays, then he’s not developing. I’m not seeing guys like Connor brown or Nick Paul; They have shown that they can play in the league. It’s about getting ready. Right now, we are watching our youth. “

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Smith said goalkeeper Matt murray he’d play three or four games to get him ready for the National Hockey League regular season. Defenders Ben roger and Jacob Bernard-Docker Both were dealing with ailments Friday, and while they were scheduled to play in Winnipeg, that may change.

BACK FOR ANOTHER SHIFT

Tyler ennis I had many options to choose from for a professional test.

He chose to give the senators another chance.

The free agent winger found himself out of a contract as NHL camps approached, but teams were willing to take a look at the 31-year-old to see if he can win a contract.

Tyler Ennis, who played 61 games for the Senators in 2019-20, is back with the team in training camp with a pro test offer.
Tyler Ennis, who played 61 games for the Senators in 2019-20, is back with the team in training camp with a pro test offer. Photo by Isaiah J. Downing /USA TODAY Sports

Ennis played 61 games for the Senators in 2019-20 and was on track for a 20-goal season when he was traded to the Edmonton Oilers for a fifth-round pick. He spent the 2018-19 season with Smith in Toronto, and that’s a big reason he decided to give Ottawa another chance.

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“He had quite a few options and he had to think about what he wanted to do,” Ennis said Friday. “Familiarity with DJ, and this group of guys, was the biggest factor without a doubt. I enjoyed my time here when I was here and I believe in the DJ, the philosophy here and what they are trying to do.

“I enjoyed it when I was here two years ago and now they are a better team.”

MORE CONVERSATIONS WITH TKACHUK

Senators General Manager Pierre Dorion talked with By Brady Tkachuk Toronto-based agents, Craig oster and DonMeehan from Newport Sports, again on Friday to try to find a solution to the deadlock in the contract with the restricted end of free agency.

As reported in this space multiple times, the senators are believed to have offered an eight-year contract worth $ 8 million per season and the two parties are not that far off in money. The hurdle could be the deal structure and the Tkachuk camp’s desire for bonuses included.

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The two parties are determined to sign a contract and have had conversations every day to see if they can close the gaps they have had. Tkachuk has been skating in Ann Arbor, Michigan with a restricted free agent defense Quinn Hughes and center Elias pettersson of the Vancouver Canucks.

If the senators and Tkachuk cannot find a way to land a long-term contract, they will have to look at other options for a shorter team deal, but it is not known if that has been discussed yet.

By all accounts, the talks have been cordial and there are no hard feelings as both sides try to achieve what they believe is the best deal.

HAVING AN OPPORTUNITY

Paul can do it all for the Senators and that is why he has the opportunity to play online with Josh norris and Drake Batherson to start training camp.

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Paul, a potential unrestricted free agent next summer, says his contract situation will not be a distraction. How could he? His current contract is the first one-way contract he signed and he appreciates every minute of being in the NHL.

Senators forward Nick Paul may be an unrestricted free agent next summer, but says he won't let his contract situation be a distraction next season.
Senators forward Nick Paul may be an unrestricted free agent next summer, but says he won’t let his contract situation be a distraction next season. Photo by Tony Caldwell /Postmedia

“I love the Senators and I’ve been here a long time and this is the team I want to play for,” said Paul, the last remaining piece of the Jason spezza dealing with the Dallas Stars in 2014. “It’s a business and I leave that part to my agent. My goal this year is to be the best I can be for the team.

“I’m not talking about the contract or the numbers that will work out on their own. I play hard every day, I compete and I don’t think about it. If I work hard and am a good person, it will take care of itself. “

THE LAST WORDS

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Our thoughts are with the family of the Montreal Canadiens assistant coach Luke richardson.

The Ottawa native, who ended his NHL playing career with the Senators, lost his father. Glen richardson Tuesday. The 82-year-old had a long history in local hockey circles and was a large part of the Ottawa West Golden Knights Junior B. He gave his time to the Ottawa Ambassadors Hockey Club, an organization for children with developmental disabilities. Glen’s wife, Departure, passed away in 2019.

Condolences to the daughter Lisa richardson, Luke and his wife Stephanie And your daughter Morgan. Glen will be missed by many.

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Twitter.com/sungarrioch

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