Derick Brassard signed a one-year, $750,000 contract with the Ottawa Senators on Monday.
The 35-year-old forward was in training camp on a professional tryout contract, and had three points (one goal, two assists) in four preseason games. He scored a power-play goal and had one assist in a 3-2 overtime win against the Montreal Canadiens at Kraft Hockeyville Canada 2021 in Bouctouche, New Brunswick on Saturday.
“I’m excited to be back here and have a chance to play with those guys,” Brassard said. “It’s been great meeting all the new young guys and seeing the energy they bring on the ice.
“It’s pretty clear in my conversation I had with (Senators coach DJ Smith) what my role is going to be. I’m going to try to stay ready. DJ was really fair with me. I really appreciate that.”
The Senators begin the season at the Buffalo Sabers on Thursday (MSG-B, TSN5, RDS, ESPN+, SN NOW).
This will be Brassard’s second stint with the Senators. He played two seasons for them after he was acquired in a trade with the New York Rangers Mika Zibanejad on July 18, 2016, and has 522 points (202 goals, 320 assists) in 951 regular-season games and 68 points (25 goals, 43 assists) in 118 Stanley Cup Playoff games.
“Even if I’m not playing, it’s the energy that you bring,” Brassard said. “Everything starts with practice and then preparation. Once my name is going to be out there, I’m going to have to go out there and perform, wherever I am going to play in the lineup. I’m accepting everything. That’s what’s everyone is doing with this team. The buy-in is there. That’s why we’re going to have success here.”
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