Fansided

Ottawa Senators Search Continues For New Coach

By Rob Eamer |
Apr 7, 2016; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Ottawa Senators head coach Dave Cameron speaks with his players leading into the last minute of play in the third period against the Florida Panthers at the Canadian Tire Centre. The Senators defeated the Panthers 3-1. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 7, 2016; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Ottawa Senators head coach Dave Cameron speaks with his players leading into the last minute of play in the third period against the Florida Panthers at the Canadian Tire Centre. The Senators defeated the Panthers 3-1. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports

With the offseason in full gear, the Ottawa Senators are still looking for a new bench boss to lead them into the next season.

The big question all Ottawa Senators fans are dying to have answered is who will be behind the bench this fall.  Will management aim for a relatively inexperienced coach that could adapt to the system already in place and make some tweaks to improve the club? Or will they set their sights on an experienced veteran coach that will take the Ottawa Senators in a new direction?

Outgoing coach Dave Cameron oversaw the Senators through a modest 70-50-17 record (.511 win percentage) since taking the helm in 2014 but lacked any NHL coaching experience prior to taking the job which upset many fans.  His inability to oversee the Senators secure a playoff birth this season ultimately led team owner Eugene Melnyk to promise that there would be key changes in the offseason.  Changes that included GM Bryan Murray stepping down and Cameron being fired.

This time around, many fans are hoping that they take their time and hire a coach with significant NHL experience and a proven track record.  If that is the case, it may benefit management to take their time before committing too soon.

Bruce Boudreau was fired yesterday by the Anaheim Ducks after they lost their fourth consecutive game 7 match.  Boudreau has ten years of NHL coaching experience with the Washington Capitals and Anaheim Ducks and has an impressive .659 season win percentage and led his team to a division title in 8 out of those 10 years.

However, the Ducks were expected by many to make a significant postseason drive and ultimately, it was Boudreau who took the fall for the disappointing end to their season.  According to the Montreal Gazette, Anaheim GM Bob Murray did say: “In no way, shape or form is this pointing a gun at Bruce’s head. Let’s make that perfectly clear. But you’ve got to start somewhere.”

In the event Sens GM Pierre Dorion does not interview Boudreau for the job, there are several other excellent options available.  According to Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC), the Senators originally had over 30 individuals being considered for the position proving they want to choose from the best possible list of available candidates.

Of those, Mike Yeo has already been interviewed for the position and could bring the sort of coaching experience Senators General Manager Pierre Dorion is looking for.  Other remaining candidates include Marc Crawford, Randy Carlyle, Guy Boucher, Kevin Dineen and John Stevens.  Each of those candidates come with varying levels of NHL coaching experience but it will be Dorion’s job to determine which coach can lead the Ottawa Senators back to postseason glory.

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