
Parker Kelly knows what it is like to be a member of the Ottawa Senators when times are tough. When he first left the only NHL organization he’s ever known and joined the Colorado Avalanche, Kelly’s feelings towards Ottawa were different than they are now. He’s one of several players in the Avs locker room who played for another NHL team — five years with the Ottawa organization, including 177 games with the Senators — and they all keep tabs on their previous clubs to some extent. “When I first came here, I would always be watching the Sens games and, if I’m being honest, you’re kind of rooting against them,” Kelly said. “You have a sour taste. I wanted to stay there and they let me go. It got to the point where my wife was like, ‘Why are you rooting against them?’ “So now I just watch and I cheer for the friends that I stay in touch with, and I’m always looking to see what the score was, where they are in the standings.” The Senators made the playoffs a year ago and appeared to be one of the NHL’s young teams on the rise. This season has not gone as well on the ice, and recently it has taken a sideways turn off it as well. Ottawa was in Denver to play Kelly and the Avalanche last week when, shortly before puck drop, the club released a statement from general manager Steve Staios condemning rumors that…
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