Sexton, who missed a large chunk of games this year after sustaining a concussion in the AHL, has amassed 21 points (10G, 11A) in 28 games in Belleville this season and will finally skate in an NHL game after being one of the final selections back in the 2009 Draft.
"I don't know if I'll get much sleep this afternoon," said Sexton after today's morning skate in Raleigh. "It's obviously a very exciting moment for me and my family. It's a dream come true and I've worked a long time for this so I'm excited."
Sens coach head Guy Boucher will be without Marian Gaborik (day-to-day) and Erik Karlsson (personal) tonight so the addition of Sexton will create some re-shuffling on forward and defence. He also shared some advice for the 26-year-old ahead of his NHL debut.
"It's his first NHL game so for starters congratulations, you deserve it," said Boucher about Sexton tonight. "Just be yourself and focus on the few fundamental things that we do to fit our identity but don't overthink things. We'll help him as we move along here."
"He's a reliable, smart guy that kind of does it all so already he's going to be able to think the game well," the coach continued. "It's probably the pace of the game that he's going to have to get used to and the only way to do that is jump on the ice and play."