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Hope always springs eternal in the fall in the NHL’s world.

In this case, the Senators are no different than anyone else in the league.

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The off-season officially came to an end Thursday as 52 players reported for medicals at the Canadian Tire Centre. On Friday, they’ll hit the ice at the Bell Sensplex as training camp shifts into high gear with the first on-ice sessions under new coach Guy Boucher.

After missing the playoffs last spring, there was no shortage of changes here in the summer so the Senators reported to camp with a bounce in their step and with an eye towards making the post-season once the puck drops for real on Oct. 12 against the visiting Toronto Maple Leafs.

“I’m just excited about what our team looks like here. This is the year we’ve got to put our foot forward. I know we get used to saying that every year but this is the year … dammit,” said winger Clarke MacArthur with a wide smile.

He was only kidding with the last part but the reality is the mandate for the Senators is to make the playoffs. That’s the reason why Boucher, who was hired along with associate coach Marc Crawford in May, has had his whole staff in the office since Aug. 15 preparing for what is going to be a pivotal year.