Alex Burrows enters his 13th NHL season, the first full one with the Senators, motivated to improve on last season’s conclusion and fully recovered from a high ankle sprain suffered in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Final.

“We have a good group of guys who focus on getting better," said Burrows at Sens training camp this week. "We can’t take anything for granted. We have to do it all over again, pay attention to details."

Acquired from the Canucks for prospect Jonathan Dahlen at last year's trade deadline, Burrows is delighted to start the current campaign with a clean slate.

Although he netted two goals versus the Avalanche in his Senators debut, Burrows never felt completely comfortable after the deal.

“I had some good games, some games weren’t as good," Burrows admitted to Sporting News Canada. "It’s always better to start the season with players you’re familiar with. Last year there were challenges. I didn’t know the system, didn’t know the players, didn’t know what to expect on this side of the country. My family was back home (Vancouver). I was away from them for three months. There was a lot of things I couldn’t control that I had to get adjusted to."

Burrows actually had more good games than bad with the Senators, compiling 11 points in 20 regular season games. Including time spent with the Canucks, the Pincourt, Quebec native compiled 15 goals, 16 assists – putting him within three plateaus.

Burrows next goal will be the 200th of his NHL career, while he’s four assists shy of 200 and five points away from 400.

While Burrows supplies modest offensive numbers, he is mostly known as one the league’s top agitators. This is a side Senators fans failed to witness in his short stint with the team.

Senators Coach Guy Boucher said Burrows display that part of his game because he saw the club is “very disciplined.”

“The one thing he brought less of than fans were expecting is being destructive on the ice," the coach explained. "He came in not wanting to disrupt what we were trying to do. I think there was an adjustment for him to kind of feel it out.

“We had that discussion together (in the off-season). How much he can do some of that, because everybody knows what he was for a long, long period of time. I think over a period of time, you become a vet and focus on other things. He felt last year coming in, he kind of eased his way in, feeling everything out. I think this year we will see all of him at different parts of the season. We are so happy to have him."

MORE: Colin White out for Sens

According to Boucher, Burrows was added at the deadline to replace the leadership Clarke MacArthur provided. At the time, MacArthur wasn’t expected to return after his fourth concussion.

“A big thing of the intangibles that MacArthur was bringing, we felt he would bring," said Boucher. "He was the leader in Vancouver along with the Sedins. This guy, don’t tell him that, is one of those guys that can be a future coach because he thinks the game so much. He gets the big picture. You need those guys in the room…It hurt not to have him in the end, the games he missed, (in the playoffs."

That being said, Burrows can hardly wait for the puck to drop in the Senators home-opener versus the Capitals October 5.

“Been looking forward to it," said an excited Burrows. "I think we have a really good group, a lot of upside. I think we can accomplish big things."

The versatile 36-year-old winger has no preference whether he plays the left or right side.

“I’ve played both sides forever. I’d rather be on the left side for breakouts and be on the right side for entries. There’s pros and cons wherever you play, but for me, it doesn’t really matter.”

The fact is Alex Burrows just wants to play. And win.