Jean-Gabriel Pageau finds himself in a bit of a different role for the Senators this season as head coach D.J. Smith has tasked him with help to acclimatize some of the organization's younger players to the NHL, a position he's happy to help out with.
"It's something that I really like. All the young guys here are already pros and they're so easy to work with," said Pageau. "They have had some questions for me and sometimes I have questions for them because they might have a different mentality or approach to the game that I can learn from."
After missing last season's home opener (along with the first few months of the season as a result of an Achilles injury), Pageau is excited to hit the ice at Canadian Tire Centre again for the first time this season.
"It's my first one in two years since I had to miss it last year. The fans here have been waiting all summer for hockey to come back to Ottawa this season and so have we," he said. "The first home game of the season is always special because we get to feel the support of all our fans behind us and it gives us that little boost of energy that we need."
Fans will be able to literally pass along well wishes too again this year when the players and team staff hit the Red Carpet before the Home Opener. So while Pageau and his teammates' focus is squarely on hosting the Rangers, he's also hoping the boys keep it fashionable on the walk in.
"I think everyone is going to bring their best suit game," Pageau joked. "It's something fun though where we get to see and touch the fans quickly before the game. It reminds us just how good the fans are here."
