• Latest
  • Trending
  • All
stepan

Derek Stepan is “Super-Excited” to Be An Ottawa Senator

December 28, 2020
Ranta Debuts, Sherwood Shines for Eagles

Ranta Debuts, Sherwood Shines for Eagles

April 11, 2021
Grading the NHL Trade Deadline

Grading the NHL Trade Deadline

April 10, 2021
ADVERTISEMENT
NHL Trade Deadline: Top 5 Central Division Trade Candidates

NHL Trade Deadline: Top 5 Central Division Trade Candidates

April 10, 2021
NHL Trade Deadline: Top Five East Division Targets

NHL Trade Deadline: Top Five East Division Targets

April 10, 2021
A Look at Stockton’s Hot and Cold Season

A Look at Stockton’s Hot and Cold Season

April 10, 2021
NHL Trade Rumors

NHL Trade Deadline: Top 5 West Division Trade Targets

April 10, 2021
NHL Trade Deadline

Rumor Mill Buzzing as 2021 NHL Trade Deadline Approaches

April 10, 2021
Top 5 Goaltenders Who Could Be Dealt By the NHL Trade Deadline

Top 5 Goaltenders Who Could Be Dealt By the NHL Trade Deadline

April 10, 2021
No Captain? No Problem – Jets Begin Road Trip with Win

No Captain? No Problem – Jets Begin Road Trip with Win

April 8, 2021
St. Cloud State

Five Reasons Why St. Cloud State Can Win A National Championship

April 8, 2021
Flyers trade deadline

Monday’s Trade Deadline Looms As The Flyers’ Playoff Hopes Dim

April 8, 2021
penguins

Five Unlikely Pens Who Have Impressed

April 8, 2021
  • Full Press Coverage
  • Full Press Wrestling
  • Full Press Radio Network
  • FullPressShop.com
  • Want to write for us?
  • Advertise With Us


Sunday, April 11, 2021
Full Press Hockey
  • NHL
    • Boston Bruins
    • Buffalo Sabres
    • Ottawa Senators
    • Philadelphia Flyers
    • Winnipeg Jets
  • AHL
  • KHL
  • Fantasy Hockey
  • NHL Draft
  • Prospects
  • Podcasts
    • Big Bad Bruins Podcast
    • Off The Post Radio
    • C4 Canucks Podcast
    • High and Wide Radio
    • Fourth Line Hockey Pod
    • The Calder Farmstead
    • Front Range Podcast
  • Full Press Coverage
  • Shop
No Result
View All Result
  • NHL
    • Boston Bruins
    • Buffalo Sabres
    • Ottawa Senators
    • Philadelphia Flyers
    • Winnipeg Jets
  • AHL
  • KHL
  • Fantasy Hockey
  • NHL Draft
  • Prospects
  • Podcasts
    • Big Bad Bruins Podcast
    • Off The Post Radio
    • C4 Canucks Podcast
    • High and Wide Radio
    • Fourth Line Hockey Pod
    • The Calder Farmstead
    • Front Range Podcast
  • Full Press Coverage
  • Shop
No Result
View All Result
Full Press Hockey
No Result
View All Result
Home NHL Atlantic Division Ottawa Senators

Derek Stepan is “Super-Excited” to Be An Ottawa Senator

I thought my first trade was a whirlwind. This one kind of lapped it a couple of times.

Murray Pam by Murray Pam
December 28, 2020
in Featured, News, NHL, Ottawa Senators
0
899
SHARES
2.6k
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Derek Stepan read the trade rumours last week, but as they started to build steam, he was still somewhat surprised to receive a call that he was officially leaving Arizona Saturday evening.

In his first roster player swap since taking over as Coyotes General Manager, Bill Armstrong dealt Stepan to the Ottawa Senators in exchange for a 2021 second-round pick (previously acquired by Senators via Columbus).

“I was going to say Wednesday of last week, it might have been even Tuesday, the rumours kind of picked up a little bit. It was kind of surprising at that moment. I was kind of in a spot where it was out my control, so we went about our business,” Stepan said during a Zoom call availability Monday. “I had some conversations with people in Arizona. That was kind of it, and I didn’t really think more of it. On late Saturday night I got a call that it happened. Surprised? A little bit, I’m not overly shocked. I kind of understood the situation I was in coming into Arizona on the last year of my contract.”

RelatedPosts

Grading the NHL Trade Deadline

NHL Trade Deadline: Top 5 Central Division Trade Candidates

NHL Trade Deadline: Top Five East Division Targets

NHL Trade Deadline: Top 5 West Division Trade Targets

With the Coyotes being $3 million above the salary with training camp drawing ever-so closer, Armstrong was seeking to move a player or acquire much-needed cap relief. He chose the former.

That being said, the 30-year old is excited to join his new team.

“I really am (excited). I’ve looked at this roster. I talked with the coach (D.J. Smith). I talked to a couple of the young guys already. It’s something that I really enjoy, playing with a younger group. I like being able to teach them. I really feel like that at this point in my career, I’m ready to get back to that production I was at for the majority of my career.” 

Stepan explained, “I told myself when the pandemic hit and we stopped, that if we got back up playing, I was going to make adjustments to my game. When I got into the bubble, I felt like I was productive, and I played the way I wanted to in the playoff hockey. And I found something within myself here. So, to be moving to new a team, and having a new coach, having a new number – all these things, these are things that are really going to spark me. I’m excited. I’m in weird spot currently, but it doesn’t hide the fact that I’m super-excited to get, and get back to the hockey that I want to play.”

After a disappointing 2019-20 season offensively, 28 points (10 goals, 18 assists) in 70 games, the veteran centre added five points (one goal, four assists) in nine postseason appearances. Stepan has compiled six 50-plus point campaigns during his 10-year NHL career. However, his production decreased steadily during his three years in the desert – posted totals of 56, 35 and 28 last season.

“I felt really good in the (Edmonton) bubble, I felt I played some really good hockey against Nashville and Colorado. I’m ready to go. I can’t wait. I’m super-pumped. There’s some family stuff that makes it a little bit of hiccup. For the most part, the hockey side of it, I am jacked up as can be.”

The “family stuff” is Derek’s wife, Stephanie is due to give birth to the couple’s third child in early January.

“I’m super-excited to get over a hurdle here in the next two weeks and get up there and start playing hockey for the Senators. As of right now, I’m going to be pretty honest about it. We’re kind of just in wait-moment, and see when the baby comes. And when the baby gets here, I’ll do my best to get up there as fast as possible. The baby is due in early January. They say it’s the third, but they can’t really predict it. You hope that in the situation I’m in, that the baby can come at a good time and be healthy. But as of right now, we’re sitting and waiting.”

If all goes well, Stepan will have passed through a mandatory seven-day quarantine in time for the Senators’ opener January 15 versus the Toronto Maple Leafs.

The New York Rangers 2008 second-round selection will don number 15, a number worn while playing for the Hasting Raiders Bantam club in Stepan’s home State of Minnesota. Wearing no. 21 throughout his career, Stepan had no inclination to ask Logan Brown if he’d be willing to part with his current number. Stepan recognized Brown held that number throughout his junior and and now pro career. He didn’t want to “ruffle any feathers.”

The 2010 World Junior gold medalist with the United States will eventually meet up with a few familiar faces upon arrival in Ottawa. Artem Anisimov spent two seasons as Stepan’s teammate with the Rangers. Alex Galchenyuk was a Coyote during Stepan’s second campaign with the club. While Senators’ defenseman Mike Reilly skates with Stepan when he’s home in Minnesota.

The six-foot, 196-pound Stepan mentions Senators’ head coach D.J. Smith has a plan laid for him.

“I had a quick conversation. He knows he’s got a lot young talent and he’s going try to find a spot for me where I can help these guys out. I don’t know if he wants me to reveal, but he kind of hinted at it. I’m going to let him be the one to tell it. I’m not going to ruin it for him.”

Stepan responded during the call to rumours that he wanted out of Arizona.

“The rumours that I was trying to get of here were not true. I think the pregnant wife as a starter, I’m not trying to move my family right now. We were very happy here. I had a great three years here in Arizona. I felt that I put in some hard work and did some big things for this young group. We got better each year. Maybe there’s an asterisk beside it, but we were able to get into the playoffs and play a playoff series. I’ve got a lot of good memories and friends here. It’s a chapter in my life, and we move on. That’s the thing that some people forget is; this business has its ugly moments. To move the way I did, it really opened my eyes to it, that’s for sure.”

An ugly business at times, it is – while Stepan is “super-excited,” it’s definitely a trying time for Derek and his family, especially in a pandemic situation.

“I’d be lying to you if it wasn’t stressful, but as the dust starts to settle here, we’re starting to cross off, checkmark – getting through the list of to-do’s. I’m starting to feel a little bit better. There is some moment of stress. Obviously, my wife is…she’s a pregnant wife that’s about right at the end. She’s had a bit of an emotional rollercoaster, so we’re getting there. We’re starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel. It was certainly something. I thought my first trade was a whirlwind. This one kind of lapped it a couple of times.”

 

 

 






Tags: #DerekStepan#OttawaSenatorsDerek Stepan
Previous Post

Penguins Release Training Camp Roster

Next Post

Bruins Let Zdeno Chara Leave At Wrong Time

Murray Pam

Murray Pam

Murray Pam has covered the Ottawa Senators and National Hockey League since 2006 for The Hockey News, Metro Ottawa, and most recently Sporting News Canada. Pam's highlights include covering premier events like the NHL All-Star weekend, Entry Draft, Stanley Cup Final and WJHC. Pam also contributed to THN paperbacks “Blood Feuds” and “The Big Book of Hockey Fun.”

Next Post
Chara

Bruins Let Zdeno Chara Leave At Wrong Time

Jets

Jets GM Cheveldayoff Believes in Laine, Frustrated with RFA Roslovic

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest
NHL Trade Deadline

Rumor Mill Buzzing as 2021 NHL Trade Deadline Approaches

April 10, 2021
NHL Trade Deadline: Top Five East Division Targets

NHL Trade Deadline: Top Five East Division Targets

April 10, 2021
NHL Trade Rumors

NHL Trade Deadline: Top 5 West Division Trade Targets

April 10, 2021
Ranta Debuts, Sherwood Shines for Eagles

Ranta Debuts, Sherwood Shines for Eagles

April 11, 2021
Grading the NHL Trade Deadline

Grading the NHL Trade Deadline

April 10, 2021
NHL Trade Deadline: Top 5 Central Division Trade Candidates

NHL Trade Deadline: Top 5 Central Division Trade Candidates

April 10, 2021


  • Two Masked Men Podcast with Rob Parent of the Delco Times
    by Off The Post on April 10, 2021 at 7:05 pm

    Russ Cohen talks to Rob Parent about his high school sports career and more.

    Your browser does not support the audio element. But you can check this for the original link: https://feeds.soundcloud.com/stream/1026732880-russ-cohen-two-masked-men-podcast-with.mp3
  • HW 3.31 Trade Deadline Preview
    by HW Radio on April 10, 2021 at 3:16 pm

    It's that time a year again! We preview the 2021 NHL Trade deadline and give our thoughts and […]

    Your browser does not support the audio element. But you can check this for the original link: https://api.spreaker.com/download/episode/44284717/https_d3ctxlq1ktw2nl_cloudfront_net_staging_2021_3_10_174152189_44100_2_21e72c593c107.mp3
  • 4/9 - Wrestlemania, 2024 Glendon/D'Abate Ticket, and Julian Edelman
    by Full Press Coverage on April 9, 2021 at 2:02 pm

    On this episode, Ian and Mike talk a little Wrestlemania before the weekend's event, the theme […]

    Your browser does not support the audio element. But you can check this for the original link: https://api.spreaker.com/download/episode/44272056/adv5505172386.mp3
  • Episode #27: You Make A Good (Colton) Point
    by Full Press Coverage on April 9, 2021 at 5:54 am

    It's time to preview the AHL weekend on The Calder Farmstead! C.C. and Sean bring on Brett Fera to […]

    Your browser does not support the audio element. But you can check this for the original link: https://api.spreaker.com/download/episode/44267195/the_calder_farmstead_episode_27_final.mp3
  • Episode #13 - The Looming Trade Deadline
    by Full Press Coverage on April 9, 2021 at 1:21 am

    With the NHL Trade Deadline just a few days out, C.C. and Scott talk about what the Avs could […]

    Your browser does not support the audio element. But you can check this for the original link: https://api.spreaker.com/download/episode/44264890/front_range_hockey_episode_13.mp3
  • Ep 58: Chris' Trip To TD Garden, Bruins Trade Target Goes Elsewhere, Injuries, and the Capitals
    by Full Press Coverage on April 8, 2021 at 6:04 pm

    Ian and Chris discuss Blackey's return to the Garden, the Islanders trade for Kyle Palmieri, Bruins […]

    Your browser does not support the audio element. But you can check this for the original link: https://pdst.fm/e/chtbl.com/track/G481GD/traffic.megaphone.fm/ADV8644927495.mp3?updated=1617905747
  • 4/8 - More Cowbell, Sports Movies, Space Adventures, and More
    by Full Press Coverage on April 8, 2021 at 2:28 pm

    On today's show, Ian and Mike discuss the anniversary of the Sandlot and Major League, More Cowbell […]

    Your browser does not support the audio element. But you can check this for the original link: https://api.spreaker.com/download/episode/44258247/adv6567559796.mp3
  • HW 3.30 Preview of the TDL Preview Show
    by HW Radio on April 8, 2021 at 2:04 am

    Jack and Jim access how things got this bad compared to how great things were this time last year […]

    Your browser does not support the audio element. But you can check this for the original link: https://api.spreaker.com/download/episode/44250346/https_d3ctxlq1ktw2nl_cloudfront_net_staging_2021_3_8_173331178_44100_2_159f4400f7f16.mp3
All Shows

  • 37 Thoughts on Wrestlemania 37 Night One
    by Evan Gomes on April 11, 2021 at 3:58 am

    Wrestlemania 37 Night One recap, reactions, and opinion: we break down Bianca Belair's big win, […]

  • Wrestlemania 37 Night One Predictions
    by Evan Gomes on April 10, 2021 at 10:21 pm

    Wrestlemania 37 predictions, including Sasha Banks vs Bianca Belair, Bobby Lashley vs Drew […]

  • Crossbody of Work Episode 58: Beth Phoenix
    by Evan Gomes on April 10, 2021 at 3:13 pm

    This week on Crossbody of Work we look at the career of Beth Phoenix, including her women's title […]

  • The NBA Has A Treasure Trove Of Potential Jeopardy Guest Hosts
    by John Sapochetti on April 9, 2021 at 7:09 pm

    With Aaron Rodgers in the midst of his two-week stint as guest host of Jeopardy, I got to thinking […]

  • 2021 Chiefs Draft Prospect: Austin Watkins
    by Braden Holecek on April 9, 2021 at 5:39 pm

    2021 Chiefs Draft Prospect: Austin Watkins. UAB wide receiver Austin Watkins is a big bodied, […]

FPC Radio LIVE Join Ian Glendon and Mike D'Adabte Monday through Friday as they discuss the latest news from the sports world and much more.

  • 4/9 - Wrestlemania, 2024 Glendon/D'Abate Ticket, and Julian Edelman
    by Full Press Coverage on April 9, 2021 at 2:02 pm

    On this episode, Ian and Mike talk a little Wrestlemania before the weekend's event, the theme […]

    Your browser does not support the audio element. But you can check this for the original link: https://api.spreaker.com/download/episode/44272056/adv5505172386.mp3
  • 4/8 - More Cowbell, Sports Movies, Space Adventures, and More
    by Full Press Coverage on April 8, 2021 at 2:28 pm

    On today's show, Ian and Mike discuss the anniversary of the Sandlot and Major League, More Cowbell […]

    Your browser does not support the audio element. But you can check this for the original link: https://api.spreaker.com/download/episode/44258247/adv6567559796.mp3
  • 4/7 - Documentaries, Aaron Rodgers, and More With John Sapochetti
    by Full Press Coverage on April 7, 2021 at 2:29 pm

    John Sapochetti joins Ian and Mike to talk documentaries, Aaron Rodgers future and his appearance […]

    Your browser does not support the audio element. But you can check this for the original link: https://api.spreaker.com/download/episode/44242041/adv1869381289.mp3
  • 4/6 - Baylor Beats Gonzaga, Vaccines and Gil Hill, Sam Darnold To Panthers
    by Full Press Coverage on April 6, 2021 at 2:53 pm

    Ian and Mike discuss Baylor's victory over Gonzaga in the NCAA Men's Championship Game, getting […]

    Your browser does not support the audio element. But you can check this for the original link: https://api.spreaker.com/download/episode/44221388/adv9103610065.mp3
  • 4/5 - Married With Children, Vaccines, Red Sox, and More
    by Full Press Coverage on April 5, 2021 at 11:27 pm

    On an abbreviated episode, Ian and Mike discuss Married with Children on its 34th anniversary, […]

    Your browser does not support the audio element. But you can check this for the original link: https://api.spreaker.com/download/episode/44211047/adv7870235805.mp3
  • 3/30 - John Sapochetti Joins The Show
    by Full Press Coverage on March 31, 2021 at 6:17 pm

    Ian and Mike are joined by John Sapochetti to talk the latest NFL news and headlines and, of […]

    Your browser does not support the audio element. But you can check this for the original link: https://api.spreaker.com/download/episode/44133895/adv6448062767.mp3
  • 3/29 - Dolphins/49ers Trade; Jimmy G's Future; Cam and The Patriots
    by Full Press Coverage on March 29, 2021 at 2:27 pm

    Ian and Mike react to the big trade that saw the 49ers move up to the third overall selection, they […]

    Your browser does not support the audio element. But you can check this for the original link: https://api.spreaker.com/download/episode/44099239/adv6405979487.mp3
  • 3/25 - RIP Jessica Walter, King Kong, NFL headlines
    by Full Press Coverage on March 27, 2021 at 2:27 am

    Ian and Mike react to the death of Jessica Walter, the movie Kong, and all the news and headlines […]

    Your browser does not support the audio element. But you can check this for the original link: https://api.spreaker.com/download/episode/44072622/adv1740052945.mp3
Full Press Hockey

2020 Full Press Coverage

Navigate Site

  • NHL
  • AHL
  • KHL
  • Fantasy Hockey
  • NHL Draft
  • Prospects
  • Podcasts
  • Full Press Coverage
  • Shop

Follow Us

No Result
View All Result
  • NHL
    • Boston Bruins
    • Buffalo Sabres
    • Ottawa Senators
    • Philadelphia Flyers
    • Winnipeg Jets
  • AHL
  • KHL
  • Fantasy Hockey
  • NHL Draft
  • Prospects
  • Podcasts
    • Big Bad Bruins Podcast
    • Off The Post Radio
    • C4 Canucks Podcast
    • High and Wide Radio
    • Fourth Line Hockey Pod
    • The Calder Farmstead
    • Front Range Podcast
  • Full Press Coverage
  • Shop

2020 Full Press Coverage