The Ottawa Sun relays just how excited Senators second-line centre Kyle Turris was to learn that Daniel Alfredsson, who'll once again likely line up alongside the youngster's right side this season, will return to the NHL for at least one more campaign.
"I was just praying every night when I went to bed that he'd be coming back," Turris, who notched 12 goals and 29 points in 49 games for the Senators after being acquired in a December trade with the Coyotes, told the Sun from Vancouver. "It's awesome. It's something that gives our team a huge boost.
"I'm really pumped. I can't wait to get back on the ice with him and not just feed him the puck on the same line, but at the same time just learn from everything he does in practice ... the keep-away drills we play at the end of practice ... and just keep watching and learning from him.
"Obviously, to have the opportunity to play with him, and work give-and-go's ... it's something really special. I'm thanking my lucky stars I get to be on the same line with him and experience really how good he is first hand."
Turris pointed out that Alfredsson's presence benefits all Senators players, both when he's on the ice and offering advice on the bench.
"Definitely, I can't even start to explain how much he helps me as a centreman," said Turris. "If I'm the last guy back into the defensive zone, he's covering for me down low and I'm taking his wing...he's so good and strong on the puck, that he's really good defensively, down low. Things like breaking out of the zone, it's like a quick give-and-go to get going into the offensive zone, the neutral zone, we're both going with speed, and he can just create so much.
"He's so creative as a player, it just makes it so much to fun to play with him. He's like (Jason Spezza) that way. He's creative and he does things that normal guys can't do. Playing with him, just kind of watching him do it, then feed me for an open net, it's really neat."
And what has Turris been working on this summer to improve his own game?
"The general stuff, getting stronger, stronger on the puck, building strength and muscle, in terms of gaining weight," said Turris, who was last listed at 6-foot-1 and a seemingly generous 195 pounds. "Things like my balance, kind of working on that stuff. Schwartzie's (Senators strength and conditioning coach Chris Schwarz.) really good. I've really enjoyed working with him. He's helped me a lot. I've felt and seen improvement in everything we've worked on. I feel really good."
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