The Ottawa Senators found themselves searching for a new head coach when the 2023-24 season concluded. After 26 games to start the season, the Senators fired D.J. Smith after an 11-15-0 record. Jacques Martin would step in as interim head coach. With Martin, the Senators went 26-26-4 to finish the season 37-41-4.
When the season concluded, the Senators missed the playoffs for the seventh consecutive season and were looking for a new head coach. After the Senators confirmed Martin wouldn't return as the full-time head coach in 2024-25, the team hired 53-year-old Travis Green.
Green served as interim head coach of the New Jersey Devils for the final 21 games of last season after the team fired then head coach Lindy Ruff. Green is excited to take over the Senators as the team's new head coach. However, Green will need to impress the Senators quickly if he plans on being the coach for years to come.
Why Travis Green will be on a short leash as new head coach of the Senators for the 2024-25 season
Pressure of having Green on a short leash for the 2024-25 season will be immediate for reasons. One reason is he has previous head coaching experience. While it may be a good thing Green has head coaching experience, it doesn't mean it will go well.
In the 21 games as Devils interim head coach last season, the Devils went 8-12-1 under Green. Had the Devils been better under Green, the thought of Green being the full-time head coach may have been a thought for the Devils, but it wasn't. Green did have another head coaching job in the NHL, but it ended rough.
Green was the head coach of the Vancouver Canucks starting in the 2017-18 season. After two consecutive seasons under .500, the Canucks broke out and made the playoffs in 2020. The Canucks fell to the Vegas Golden Knights in seven games in the second round. The luck for Green didn't continue the next two seasons as the Canucks missed the playoffs the next two seasons. Green was fired with an 8-12-1 record in the 2021-22 season.
Pressure on Green grows in Ottawa with having the pressure to make sure Brady Tkachuk and Tim Stutzle expand their roles. The duo were the only 70-point scorers on the team. Having a season over 80 points for both would be excellent growth for the duo. Green was the coach of superstars Jack Hughes and Jesper Bratt in New Jersey, so having the potential to make sure young superstars produce is hopeful, but will be heavily relied on by Green with Ottawa.
Green also has pressure to make sure other young players have breakout years. Drake Batherson, Jake Sanderson and Shane Pinto will need to have their role increase. Pressure on Green to make them better is high toward them.
Green will have better goaltending in Ottawa than he did in New Jersey. Green will go from having Jake Allen, Nico Daws and Kappo Kahkonen, to having 2023 Vezina Trophy winner Linus Ullmark. Having Ullmark is a big upgrade from the previous New Jersey goaltenders.
There is optimism around the Senators heading into the 2024-25 season, but Green will be heavily relied on to bring the Senators success. If the Senators struggle, the Senators could have an early leash on Green to make sure they find a coach to help develop the Senators' young core.