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Duchene did his best Wednesday to skate away from comparisons.

“We didn’t really get traded for each other, it was a roundabout thing,” Duchene said. “He’s a tremendous player who had a great time here, a great stint when he was here, and a guy we have to watch out for because he’s a good offensive player.”

While the numbers of the two have been intriguing, Duchene insists fans read too much into statistics.

“Points only tell half the tale,” he said. “I’m sure he’s still playing as well as when he was producing (points). Points are a small thing and guys go through tough stretches, no matter who you are, and guys go through hot stretches.”

Duchene said he wasn’t feeling any additional pressure, but he had an idea of what Turris would face on Thursday.

“This game means a lot more to him than it does to me because he’s facing his former team,” he said. “It’s similar to mine in Sweden (when the Senators faced the Avalanche). They’re a heck of a team, one of the best in the league, a team that can challenge for the Stanley Cup this year, and Kyle is a big part of that team now.”

Senators winger Mark Stone, who enjoyed extended stretches of fantastic chemistry with Turris, particularly during the run to the 2015 playoffs, anticipated Canadian Tire Centre spectators would honour Turris appropriately.

“He was an important part of our team and an important part of city and I’m sure he’ll get a warm welcome, a deserved welcome,” Stone said.

Borowiecki said there was no question the Senators had gone through an adjustment following Turris’s departure.

“Any time you take away a core guy or a core guy leaves for whatever reason, there is going to be an impact, even if it isn’t a conscious one,” Borowiecki said. “When someone kind of makes up the fabric of your team, there is going to be things to deal with after, hurdles to overcome. I think we’re hitting our style a little bit more now. You see (Duchene) hitting his stride. He seems settled in now. He’s such a dynamic player.”

kwarren@postmedia.com

Twitter.com/Citizenkwarren