In the wake of the final game of a 2023-24 Ottawa Senators season that ended without playoff hockey — the seventh straight season to end in such a way — team president and general manager Steve Staios has turned his attention to the future, to putting pieces in place to spur a different ending a year from now.
Meeting with the media in Ottawa on Friday, Staios spoke of the changes to come for this Senators group. The most significant one will be at the helm, as the club’s search for a new head coach is ongoing, according to the GM.
“We have spoken to a couple of people. We have a longer list,” Staios said of that search. “I think making sure that we take the appropriate amount of time, to be able to look at everybody that may be available, is important. Now, as we’re going through the process, if we feel that we have the perfect candidate, then we would move on it. But certainly, at this point in time, we’re still working through our list.”
Staios did rule one name out of contention: franchise legend Daniel Alfredsson, who rejoined the Senators organization in October 2023 in a player development role, and moved to the bench as assistant coach in December.
“I had a great conversation with Alfie. I could say that he’s not going to be in consideration for the head coaching job at this point in time,” Staios said. “I think this is something that we left a little bit open-ended, but I think he does believe that, if he does continue on the coaching path, that he’ll need a little bit more time.”
The former Sens captain joined the bench mid-season following the dismissal of D.J. Smith, who took over as head coach ahead of the 2019-20 campaign, and led the team through four seasons before being dismissed 26 games into 2023-24. Smith finished his tenure with a 131-154-32 record as Senators head coach, the club missing out on the post-season in each of his four full seasons.
In his place, veteran coach Jacques Martin took over for the remainder of 2023-24, returning to the bench for the first time since his 2021 stint as assistant coach for the New York Rangers.
On Friday, Staios heaped praise upon Martin’s name and the job done, though he confirmed the 71-year-old won’t continue as head coach next season.
“I think, when you’re evaluating coaches, you probably look at the win-loss record first, but I think if you watched our games and how we played under Jacques, how we grew as a team, I think he had a significant impact,” Staios said. “On the stability, but also professionalism, detail and the approach to the game. So, I want to thank Jacques again for that.
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“I think that he provided everything that we needed, as far as where we were as a group, the age of our group, where we lacked. He certainly brought that foundational piece, and I believe it’s going to be lasting for this group moving forward.”
While Martin won’t return to the bench in 2024-25, Staios said he will remain with the organization in a consultant role.
“There’s a lot of work to be done. In my job, in our jobs as managers, it’s always good to have someone with that experience, who’s in and around the game,” Staios said of the decision to bring Martin back as a consultant. “Also for our coaches, whoever our next head coach will be, if he needs to tap into Jacques or needs anything from that perspective. Also, he’s a great hockey mind, so as far as special assignments and maybe evaluation for me moving forward.
“We want to continue to bring good people into our organization, and Jacques is an incredible gentleman.”
The future is more unsure for assistant coaches Jack Capuano and Ben Sexton. Staios suggested that the decision on filling out the rest of the bench will depend on who is ultimately hired to lead the club forward as head coach.
“I can’t thank them enough,” Staios said. “I’m allowing the other coaches the time to let things unfold. In our process of bringing in a head coach, there are a number of ways [of] building out the support staff. I think very highly of all our coaches and the job that they’ve done — they’re extremely passionate and talented people.
“I’m not sure how it all unfolds for them, but certainly I have no problem saying I’d welcome each and every one of them back.”
Staios didn’t rule out the possibility of the club hiring a coach within the next few months, before the post-season concludes, but said the team will let the process play out, and will make a decision whenever they feel they’ve found the right candidate.
