Ottawa Senators depending on Kyle Turris to emerge as young leader -NHL Update
Kyle Turris definitely has a bright hockey future ahead of him and Ottawa Senators knew that, which is why they traded a top rated defenseman, David Rundblad and a future second-round draft pick for the youngster to Phoenix Coyotes.
The 23-year-old will be playing in his final season of a two-year, $2.8 million contract, making him a restricted free agent and one that will prove to be what the Ottawa Senators hold him to be worth of at the end of it.
This past 2011-2012 National Hockey League (NHL) regular season was his best as he potted 29 points (12 goals, 17 assists) in 49 games played, despite having played 60 plus in two straight seasons with Phoenix Coyotes.
"He's a terrific kid," Ottawa Senators general manager, Bryan Murray, told NHL.com. "He's been here just about every day working out; he's up to about 198 pounds now. He looks like he's really matured into a man."
This year, Ottawa Senators finished off the season as the eighth placed team in the Eastern Conference and finally got back into the playoffs. They routed 2011 Stanley Cup champions, the Boston Bruins and nearly went deep but lost to New York Rangers in
the semi-finals.
With another season coming up, not only are the Senators hopeful of something big but are also optimistic about Kyle Turris emerging as a leader of their pack of young players.
"I think he's going to make big strides this season," Murray said of Turris. "He's comfortable with his surroundings now, and playing with Alfie certainly doesn't hurt."
Without a doubt, Ottawa Senators want the native of New Westminister, British Columbia, Canada, to emerge as the next Steven Stamkos or Alex Ovechkin, but with that amount of pressure on his shoulders, there is always fear of a crack in performance.
Turris is praying that he does not choke and disappoint a team that he might lead in the future, but only time will tell what the former third overall pick of the Phoenix Coyotes back in 2007 will turn out to do and become as a hockey player.
Next season will be one Ottawa Senators and Kyle Turris definitely look forward to.
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