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“It’s not as exciting for us, we’re not in NHL 19 Fantasy GM mode here,” he continued. “These are real people’s lives. A lot of guys put down roots in cities and get settled in and their kids love it and there are wives or girlfriends, whatever it may be. It’s tough. There is a lot of anxiety and stress.”

Senators coach Guy Boucher, also speaking before the Stone trade was completed, says living with constant change comes with the profession. It’s not easy, but it’s reality.

BRENNAN: Quickly analyzing the Mark Stone trade and the Ottawa hockey market afterwards

“There’s always a human side and we forget that,” said Boucher. “Families are involved and girlfriends and just changes in life. Anybody moving from one city to another, from one house to another, people freak out. Me and my wife, we moved 14 times in the first nine years we were together, so that’s just a part of our lives.”

As difficult as all of the above is, Borowiecki says the Senators – as players and as an organization – must own their situation.

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The years of too many on ice losses, the unstable ownership situation under Eugene Melnyk and the assorted off-ice distractions has made the Senators the butt of jokes around the NHL.

“It reflects on us and players as an organization,” he said. “We haven’t been good enough and there is going to be turnover when you’re not good enough. The onus is on us now to go out there every night and bust our asses for this city and try to win back as much respect from fans as we can.”