It's just business. Nothing personal.
That is the message Senators general manager Pierre Dorion conveyed in a short interview Thursday with TSN about placing veteran center Zack Smith on waivers Tuesday.
"Zack is a high-character person, he's the heart and soul of that dressing room, but at the same time it was performance related," explained Dorion. "We knew that if we let the team know we won't accept what happened last year, including how Zack played, that, hopefully, the message will be passed through the room."
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The 30-year-old Smith, who scored a career-high 25 goals in 2015-16, had a dreadful season a year ago, mirroring that of the rest of the team. He scored only five goals, had a -32 plus/minus mark and saw his faceoff winning percentage drop to 47.9%.
However, the veteran remains incredibly popular and respected in the Sens dressing room, with teammate Matt Duchene saying Tuesday that the team's decision to place Smith on waivers was "a kick in the balls for all of us."
Smith cleared waivers on Wednesday and will be in the lineup Thursday when the Sens skate in a preseason contest against the Chicago Blackhawks. Senators head coach Guy Boucher plans for Smith to center four-time 20-goal scorer Mark Stone and first-round pick Brady Tkachuk on one of Ottawa's top lines Thursday, a sign of his importance on a team in transition and in the midst of a steep rebuild.
"Zack is playing for us (Thursday) night, he's a part of this team," offered Dorion. "We know he's going to rebound with a big year. The idea is to play him with two good players and we look forward to seeing him play well."
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Smith, who has three years remaining on his contract with a $3.25 million annual cap hit, spoke with reporters for the first time since being placed on -- and clearing -- waivers after Thursday's morning skate.
"I think it ran the course on the emotions," explained Smith. "Disbelief first, then denial and anger. It kind of fluttered through me all at once. It was kinda hard to grasp."
Smith also messaged with the Ottawa Sun Wednesday, admitting he may have been "naive" in not expecting to be placed on waivers.
“Obviously last year was the worst year of my pro career," Smith said. "After talking with the coaches and trainers at camp about just hitting the reset on last year and moving forward, I was excited to start fresh. So to be told I’m going on waivers after two exhibition games was tough to swallow.”
Boucher told the media that he expects Smith to "show up and be ready to go (Thursday). One hundred percent. He's that type of person."