Pascal Leclaire is in the Capital

Since signing as an unrestricted free agent back in July Ottawa Senators fans have been excitedly talking about what veteran scorer Alex Kovalev will bring to the team. While this 36 year-old who is coming off a 65- point season will provide some essential offence one must keep in mind that the most significant addition was made last March when goalie Pascal Leclaire was traded to the nation’s capital. This former 2001 Columbus Blue Jackets first round draft choice who has shown glimpses of his elite talent only played 12 games last season for the Jackets due to an ankle injury he suffered last October against the Minnesota Wild. Leclaire who had season ending surgery last January and lost his starting job in Columbus to rookie and Calder Trophy winner Steve Mason is excited about the high expectations Ottawa fans and management have about this upcoming season. ” It’s a different kind of pressure, but it’ll be fun,” Leclaire who is only 26 years-old said. “For me it’s really exciting to be with Ottawa now because I’ve never been in the playoffs, and I want to be there and it’s a great challenge.” Two seasons ago Leclaire showed his potential when he enjoyed a breakout season in winning 24 games while posting a microscopic 2.25 GAA in only 54 games. Unless Leclaire gets hit once again with the dreaded injury bug there is an excellent chance that in April he will be the first Senators goalie since Patrick Lalime in 2003/04 to be the undisputed number one. “From a personal level, I just want to get back to where I was before getting hurt,” Leclaire said. “It was a rough year for me last year. I was never really 100 percent. The injury is behind me now and I want to get back in a groove and have fun.I missed hockey a lot. I’m ready to go into the season and see what happens, play on a regular basis.” Ottawa fans can be forgiven if they are taking a wait and see attitude with this former first round pick. Afterall even though he became a Senator last March he still hasn’t played a game in their uniform. When it’s all said and done I believe that Leclaire who has 45 total wins in his NHL career will play a major role in helping the Senators make it once against into the post season.