Ottawa Senators: Pierre Dorion Says Accountability Falls On Players

With training camp around the corner, players, coaches, and management get ready to resume their normal schedules. Eyes turn to each as they look to improve on their previous season. For the Ottawa Senators in order to improve they must make the Stanley Cup Finals.

In an interview the General Manager of the Ottawa Senators, Pierre Dorion stated that he still expects the Sens to be contenders. In fact he put some pressure on the team by saying that, “I think the accountability falls on the players.” Dorion believes that because the team has remained nearly unchanged in the off-season that they can replicate and improve on last year’s success.

The Ottawa Senators made just two changes during the off-season. They replaced Marc Methot with Johnny Oduya because he was picked in the expansion draft. Additionally, they added Nate Thompson to center the fourth line. However, these are very minor changes compared to what most teams must go through in the off-season.

Pierre Dorion saying that he believes the accountability falls on the players puts pressure on the team. However, it also shows that he has belief in this team that he’s built. If they falter he believes it will not be because they can’t succeed but because they are doing something wrong. This can be both good and bad as he does have belief in the team. However, there is also the worry that he will not make necessary changes if the team falters.

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If the team falters and he doesn’t believe it is because of the team on paper than he will be unlikely to make changes. This may not happen as the Ottawa Senators are in a position to succeed. However, Dorion taking the responsibility of the team’s success off of his own shoulders is not a choice that inspires confidence.