Trading a top prospect for Alex Burrows last season might ultimately pay dividends the Senators never counted on at the time.
It could indirectly end up putting another top-scoring forward in their lineup.
GM Pierre Dorion mentioned earlier this week that he expects Burrows — who had six goals and 11 points in 20 regular-season games, then five assists in 15 playoff games — to take on more of a leadership role in 2017-18. He said Burrows, who was acquired for second-round pick Jonathan Dahlen, would feel more comfortable with his place in the room, much like previous mid-season scoop Dion Phaneuf did when he was able to arrive at training camp as a Senator.