Senators growth more important than playoff berth this season, GM says

MANALAPAN, Fla. -- Pierre Dorion won't complain if the Ottawa Senators don't make the Stanley Cup Playoffs this season.

"You've never heard me say make the playoffs from the get-go because I knew where we were and I knew where we needed to be," the Senators general manager said. "I think if we do make the playoffs it's a bonus, but the growth of this team was the most important thing this year."
The Senators (33-30-4) have lost three games in a row and four of five. They are eight points behind the New York Islanders for the second wild card into the Stanley Cup Playoff from the Eastern Conference, but would have to also leapfrog the Florida Panthers, Buffalo Sabres and Washington Capitals.
They host the Colorado Avalanche at Canadian Tire Centre on Thursday (7 p.m. ET; TSN5, RDS2, ALT, ESPN+, SN NOW).
Dorion spoke to NHL.com from the NHL general managers meetings at the Eau Palm Beach Resort & Spa about the Senators, their growth, the impact of defenseman Jakob Chychrun, acquired by Ottawa at the NHL Trade Deadline, and forward Claude Giroux, signed as free agent last offseason. He also discussed if the process of finding a new owner affects him, and if that owner could be potential buyer actor Ryan Reynolds.
Where the team is right now, is that where you thought it would be?
"Pretty much. Obviously, we've had a few losses. I didn't foresee (goalie) Cam Talbot getting hurt the day after the trade deadline in a game. But you know what, we're playing meaningful games. The best thing for our team is the growth of our young core this year and that's what's happening with all these young players except for one, Josh Norris, who is hurt. They're growing through this run of trying to get into the playoffs. That's the best and biggest growth that we could have."
Do you believe that at the end of this season, regardless if the Senators make the playoffs, the team can look back and say this is when we learned all about what it takes to be a consistent, winning team?
"Yes, for sure. Everyone knows that the games ramp up through the season. There are segments in the season. There's a segment I would say up until about U.S. Thanksgiving. It goes to Christmas, and then from Christmas on to the trade deadline. Then you get the meaningful games. It's kind of like four quarters in the year. Now, I'm generalizing a little bit, but in that last part they're the hardest games to be played when you're in it. The last few years we weren't in it, no one takes us seriously, and we're just going in playing carefree. Now the games matter and I really think, to your point, when we look back in a few years we're going to say to ourselves that we made a lot of progress, and we learned what competing for the playoffs is all about. That carries over when you get into the playoffs too."
How do you feel Chychrun has fit in so far?
"Great. That one, very happy about that one. I got someone that's from Ottawa. He's a top end defenseman. He does so many of the little things that I don't think people see. He's great defensively. He's got a great stick. He competes. Skates, shoots, passes it. He plays with urgency. The family is from Ottawa. His sister lives there and obviously his grandfather lives there. We got a very motivated player that wants to be part of our group. And he's in that age bracket. When you look at Brady (Tkachuk), [Thomas Chabot], Josh, Drake (Batherson), they're all within two or three years of each other. He fits in with that group. In his life he's at the same stage as all those guys so they can really relate to each other off the ice."
Claude Giroux is not in that age group, but he appears to be having a good season and making a big difference. What is it about Giroux and why he has fit in so well with the Senators?
"Well, on and off the ice he's been unbelievable. On the ice he's delivered I think even above expectations. He cares. He wants to win. He wants to be part of the success story in Ottawa. For him joining our team and doing what he's been able to do it's great. Off the ice he cares. I would say he is vocal but in a positive way. He knows it's Brady's room and he has that respect. I think the two of them amongst each other have that mutual respect. Getting a former captain at this stage of his career who is still performing at a high level and contributing on the ice, but also contributing off the ice has only been great for us."
We all know the Senators are for sale and NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said the process could be completed in a matter of weeks. Does the sale of the team impact how you do your job?
"No, no, not at all. It never has. It won't. I just go about my job. I run the hockey side of things. Obviously, there's planning going on for next year. I think all new potential owners will be aware of what we're planning on doing. I think they're looking at it when they're looking at buying the team. I just go about my job."
Do friends and family ask you about it, though?
"No, no. Seriously, when I talk to friends and family, people are more excited about the trades we made, the team rolling, the team getting better. People ask about Ryan Reynolds. Have you met him, stuff like that. But that's about it."
Have you met Reynolds?
"I have met him. He was very friendly. I spent about an intermission with him and it was great to get to know him a bit."