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We’re in a tough race here in our division, so I’m constantly checking and I’ll see how Ottawa did here and there

You might think these two facts put a smile on Turris’ face. Instead, as he looks towards his first return back to the city on Thursday where he spent the past six years, there’s a feeling of sadness for the team that still occupies a place in his heart.

“It’s tough,” said Turris. “I have good friends on the team that I talk to regularly. I mean, you don’t want to see them go through that. It’s tough. I’m always checking the standings and the scoreboard. We’re in a tough race here in our division, so I’m constantly checking and I’ll see how Ottawa did here and there.”

Turris didn’t expect the Senators would be where they are now. Then again, he didn’t expect he would be in Nashville when the season ended last year.

“Not at all,” he said. “It didn’t cross my mind at all.”

Photo by Jeff Roberson / AP Photo

With his contract expiring, the 28-year-old had hoped to re-sign in Ottawa for another six or seven years. But as the negotiations continued, the two sides moved further and further apart. Turris told the Canadian Press in December that, “it was tough because I think management did want to sign me, but I think that the owner didn’t and that was their decision.”

That quote seemed to strike a nerve with Senators fans, who are wondering if Senators captain Erik Karlsson will re-sign with Ottawa or be dealt as the team contemplates rebuilding a roster that is clearly not good enough to contend.

“It’s just a tough year,” Turris said of Karlsson. “He’s one of the best players in the world and it’s been a frustrating year for him … It’s a tough situation for him with the rumours going on about him. It’s all together a tough situation.”