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It has been awhile since there has been such a mystery about the main man in the middle for the Ottawa Senators.

There’s no Matt Duchene, no Kyle Turris, no Jason Spezza to automatically skate into the number one centre position.

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What about it, Artem Anisimov?

“Yeah, yeah, that spot is available,” the 31-year-old said following the first skating drills of training camp Friday. “There’s going to be a fight in training camp and whoever is going to play best is going to get that spot.”

The summer trade that brought Anisimov to Ottawa from Chicago in exchange for Zack Smith was somewhat lost amid the flurry of action between the Senators and the Toronto Maple Leafs. However, his background – four 20-goal seasons and four seasons with more than 35 points, coupled with a commitment to defensive responsibilities — gives coach D.J. Smith options to use him in a variety of roles.

“He’s a big centre (6-4, 198 pounds) that can play in his own zone,” said Smith. “He can play on both special teams. He has played with (Patrick) Kane. You’re getting a guy that has played with world class players and is just a quiet, stays-to- himself leader.”

Does all of the above translate into first line status? Maybe. Maybe not. The Senators already have two-way type centres in Jean-Gabriel Pageau and Chris Tierney. Colin White, fresh from signing his six-year, $28.5 million extension, will get a shot to play the biggest minutes.

And then there’s Logan Brown, whose potential makes him perhaps the most intriguing player at training camp.

At the outset of camp, Smith is experimenting with Tyler Ennis and Bobby Ryan on Anisimov’s wings. If that trio stays together, Anisimov would be the defensive glue for a couple of guys with offensive gifts.