The words were music to Erik Karlsson’s ears.

After returning from a vacation overseas following the season, the Senators captain sat down for a chat with newly-hired coach Guy Boucher three weeks ago and the 26-year-old captain was impressed with what he heard.

In what’s a first since he had the ‘C’ bestowed upon him in 2014, Karlsson invited the local media to one of his off-season workouts with Senators strength and conditioning coach Chris Schwarz Tuesday at the Ottawa Athletic Club. It’s pretty clear Karlsson likes what Boucher brings to the table.

“We had a lengthy meeting about a number of things,” Karlsson said. “It was good. It was good to finally see him, and hear his thoughts, and maybe that’s why I’m so excited right now.”

Boucher told reporters on the day he was hired by GM Pierre Dorion that he planned to meet with — or speak with — all of the players to put preparations in place for training camp in September, let them know the expectations and also to find out what makes them tick as people because relationships are important.

While the players had no ill will toward former coach Dave Cameron when he was fired at the end of the season, a fresh face and voice behind the bench next season means everybody will turn the page on missing the playoffs. What Karlsson liked most was Boucher’s approach.

Of course, Karlsson had done his homework because he’d spoken with a few former Tampa Bay Lightning players — most notably Swedish defenceman Victor Hedman — to see what Boucher is like.

“I know a lot of players that have played for him in the past and I’ve heard a lot of good things about him,” said Karlsson. “From the type of person that he is, to the type of coach and what he believes in.

“He’s a very passionate and intense guy which I think, for the type of team that we have, is going to fit very good. He’s a young mind, we have a younger team and I think what he brings to the table and the way that he believes things work is going to match up with everything that we have in the room.”

Karlsson said Hedman “spoke very highly of him and I take that close to heart since (they’re) very good friends.”

The message from Boucher seemed to be pretty simple: He doesn’t expect Karlsson to be something he isn’t and if there’s anything the coaching staff can do to help the dynamic blueliner be even better, they’re there to assist whatever way they can.

“Just hearing that is great. He didn’t only talk about helping me, he’s talking about helping everybody,” said Karlsson.

As for Karlsson, he doesn’t expect his role to change with Boucher taking over but believes the way he approaches the game will have to be altered.

“Things are going to change and it’s going to take awhile for everybody to figure each other out,” said Karlsson. “But that’s why we have training camp. The group is still the same. We know each other, what we can do, and what to expect from each and every individual. The way that he wants to play is going to suit our team well. I strongly believe in the system that he’s going to bring to us and, in that, my game is going to have to change a bit.

“That always happens every year. There’s always something new and something you pick up. I’m going to have to have the same approach as I always do and that’s to be better than (the) previous year. That’s what I’m striving for right now.”

No, Boucher and Karlsson didn’t sit around to try to determine what went wrong with the power play last season, but they did talk about the philosophy the new coach will bring along with veteran associate coach Marc Crawford.

“I think (they’ll) do a good job in really specializing in special teams. We have a good group of guys to be successful in the power play and penalty killing. That’s something that we’re going to try to figure out right away and that’s going to be no issue because I know he’s a had lot of success previously,” Karlsson said.

If you think Karlsson was satisfied with his 16-66-82 points last season, don’t kid yourself because he believes he can be better next year.

“I feel like I haven’t been able to reach my top level in performance,” Karlsson said. “I still have a lot more to give and it’s up to me to find those answers to what that is for me to get there. I’m going to start with this summer and try to figure that out. Once the season starts, I’m going to try to figure that out there as well.”

To say Karlsson is excited for next season would be an understatement.

CAPTAIN HITTING GYM HARD

Erik Karlsson will be busy this summer, but most it will be spent getting ready for next season.

Meeting with the local media Tuesday after an off-ice training session with Senators strength and conditioning coach Chris Schwarz, the Ottawa captain indicated he’s going to step up his training efforts in the off-season and will spend “95%” of his time in the capital instead of returning to Sweden.

Not only has Karlsson changed his approach because he needs to be ready to play for Team Sweden at the World Cup in September in Toronto, the biggest reason he wants to be ready is to try to get the Senators back to the playoffs.

“This year I felt like I had a lot of energy left at the end of the season and that’s (partially) because we didn’t make the playoffs,” Karlsson said.

“That’s one of my priorities going into next year: I’m going to be more prepared than I’ve ever been before.”

Part of that plan is to spend more time with Schwarz — which likely means four days a week at the Ottawa Athletic Centre — plus another day in the gym on his own.

“I’m going to try a little bit of a new training,” Karlsson said. “I’m going to try go for a little bit longer and a little bit harder and see if that’s going to help me throughout the year and in the beginning of the year.

“Also, with it being the World Cup this year, that’s going to change the plan quite drastically.”

No, Karlsson wasn’t unhappy with the way he showed up last year, but he always feels there’s room for improvement.

He and Schwarz sit down at the end of the season to determine the best course for his off-season regime.

“Last summer was a different approach than this summer,” Karlsson said. “This summer is going to be different. I’m going to take a new approach and, hopefully, it’s going to help me evolve and take another step forward.”

In a couple of weeks, Karlsson will travel to Las Vegas to attend the NHL Awards to see if he’ll be able to scoop up the third Norris Trophy of his career but he’s got stiff competition against Drew Doughty of the Los Angeles Kings and Brent Burns of the San Jose Sharks.

“It’s something I’ve been a part of before and it’s fun to go to Vegas in the middle of the summer,” Karlsson said. “I know the awards are an exciting time.

“You’re going to be nervous once you’re there but there’s nothing I can do about it now. It’s already set in stone. I’m going to be happy whether I win or not. I’m going to have a good time and enjoy myself.”