Ottawa Senators: Who Could Replace Pierre Dorion?

If the Ottawa Senators want to successfully rebuild their franchise, a new GM would probably be the best route.

As the Ottawa Senators dive deeper into their rebuild, questions are going to be asked regarding the management group, specifically Pierre Dorion.

Having been the GM since April 2016 (I know, it feels a lot longer than three years) and with the Senators since 2007, Dorion is a well-tenured member of the Sens brass. But if Eugene Melnyk wants success and money (And we know he wants that second item more than anything), he has to realize that Dorion’s performance has been less than ideal. Yes, most of the organizational issues stem from Melnyk himself, but we all know he’s not going to take the blame for it, and it will be Dorion who falls on the sword instead.

If that happens, the Ottawa Senators would need a new general manager to help rebuild. So, this is a wish list of candidates that the Sens should make a move for. They probably won’t be hired, and Dorion may not even be fired, but it is always nice to dream.

Craig Heisinger

Currently the director of hockey operations and assistant general manager of the Winnipeg Jets, Heisinger has yet to show what he can do running an NHL franchise. He’s been with the Jets since they returned to the league in 2011, and is the current GM of the Manitoba Moose, Winnipeg’s AHL affiliate, being in that position since 2002. Heisinger has certainly gained the right experience needed to run an NHL team, and the Sens should give him a call if they are looking to make a change.

Bill Guerin

After joining Pittsburgh as their player development coach in 2011, Guerin was promoted to assistant general manager after Jim Rutherford was hired as GM in 2014. He has won two Stanley Cups in the AGM role and was named general manager of the Penguins’ AHL team, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, in June 2017. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton has made the playoffs in both of Guerin’s seasons so far. At 48, Guerin may be a little younger than other GMs, but he is also a former player who has won four Stanley Cups (Two as a player, two as an executive) and knows what it takes to win in this day-and-age.

Paul Castron

A former scout for the Ottawa Senators (1991-1999), Castron has been apart of the NHL for almost 30 years. He was a key figure in player development and scouting for the Columbus Blue Jackets (1999-2015) and has been the director of amateur scouting for the New Jersey Devils since 2015. The Sens are going to be focused on drafting and prospects over the next few years, and Castron’s experience in that field make him a guy the Sens would be lucky to have in their organization.

Dean Lombardi

The only former NHL general manager on this list, Lombardi has been GM of the San Jose Sharks (1996-2003) and, more notably, the Los Angeles Kings (2006-2017). In Los Angeles, Lombardi won two Stanley Cups (2012, 2014), so he has the pedigree and winning mentality that the Senators are desperately lacking in the front office. He helped rebuild the Kings into a championship contender (And winner), which is exactly what Melnyk and the Sens are looking for.

Why Not Theorize?

If Dorion isn’t fired, then this list will be made mute. But in the event that he is fired, it is always smart to take a look around the league at possible replacements. The Ottawa Senators are going to be making moves soon, and if one of those moves takes place in the front office, they should consider the names mentioned here.