Before the Derick Brassard acquisition, signing Kelly was probably the most noteworthy transaction the Senators had done this offseason.
Mike Hoffman being re-signed is arguably more influential than getting Brassard in exchange for Mika Zibanejad, but that also hadn’t yet occurred when Kelly was signed.
Kelly is one of those guys who truly endears himself to fans thanks to his work ethic and hustle. At 6’0’’ and 193 LBS, he isn’t blessed with physical tools to give him an advantage out on the ice.
He is forced to overcome his lack of an impressive frame with grit and determination.