We caught up with Sens centre Jean-Gabriel Pageau after his boxing workout at the Arts Martiaux Patenaude in Gatineau to talk about his off-season training, the Derick Brassard trade and more...

On his off-season training and how boxing fits into it:

It's going really well. It's a longer summer than we would have expected but I'm in the gym with the guys every day. It's good to just get some of the stress out of the way when I come here and box with Julien (Leblanc) and Guy Ouellette who works with the team. It's good to do some different workouts to work on some different abilities.

On taking some holidays this summer:

Right after the season I went to Europe for a few weeks just so I could clear my mind a little bit. After that I was right back in the gym with the team. I was missing it actually. We have a good group of guys in Ottawa so it's fun to work out here.

On getting to know the new coaching staff:

I shook their hands but it was just a quick "hi". I'm sure it's going to be more in the next few weeks and just before the camp. I can't wait to meet with them. I didn't have anything against our other coaches and I really liked them but it's fresh blood and a fresh start for everyone. Obviously with all the moves that the team made we lost some good friends and good players but on the other side we got some really good players too.

Where he was when he heard about the Zibanejad/Brassard trade:

I was napping actually. After a workout I went for a little nap and a couple of my buddies were calling me and I saw that. Right away I jumped on my phone and talked with Mika and with Brass too. They're both good friends so it's fun to see a good friend come here and play in front of his home town but on the other side it's kind of sad to see a good friend in Mika, that has played here from the start, it's sad to see him go.

On what Derick Brassard will bring to the line-up:

He's got a lot of talent...he's relentless too. He's played a lot of years in the league now so he's got good experience. I'm sure I'm going to be able to learn from him and the same thing for all the younger guys. He's a good leader for sure.

On looking for some redemption after the way last season ended:

Nobody was happy about our season and how it ended. We wished we could have been still playing hockey and have a chance to win the Stanley Cup. When I look at our group, everyone wants to win. I think everyone just wants to get the season started to get back on track and show what we really can do as a group.