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Phillips, on the other hand, is at the tail end of his career, about to embark on his 17th season with the Senators after being drafted first overall in 1996. With seven other proven NHL defencemen also in training camp, there are no guarantees that Phillips will play every game.

As a long-time assistant captain, though, he understands what the position is all about and he carries the voice of experience in the dressing room.

“There are other things that go along with it, for sure,” he says. “I don’t think it’s just a showpiece or something to have. I think it’s a great honour to have that and a responsibility. That’s what it is, a responsibility, not something you just slap on (the uniform).”

He was in the running last summer, too, but the club chose Spezza for captain following the departure of Daniel Alfredsson to the Detroit Red Wings.

“Spezza wasn’t the wrong pick. He was just the other pick. I said it then and I will say it again, he was deserving. I wasn’t upset that they gave it to him, I was disappointed that I didn’t get it.”

Phillips insists he has no idea which way the club is leaning heading into training camp and has had no conversations with coach Paul MacLean or general manager Bryan Murray about the topic.

“Once that day comes, then maybe I will have a better feel, direction they will go in,” he says.

Senators brass would be well served to make the decision early in training camp to set course with their new leader, but if a decision isn’t made immediately, Phillips sees no reason why it should serve as a distraction.