Bench change not in cards for Sens
But ailing team may have to retool roster as disappointing season takes its toll
The Ottawa Senators won’t be ringing in the new year with a new look either on the ice or behind the bench.
That doesn’t mean the status quo will remain, but, if there are changes, they’ll likely begin with the roster.
Senators head coach Guy Boucher isn’t going anywhere and a change won’t be made unless there’s a massive change of heart within the organization. Never say never, but it doesn’t feel like that move will be part of the attempt at finding a solution to what ails the team.
After six coaches in 10 years, the Senators have gone down that road enough and it’s time the players are held accountable for what has to be one of the organization’s most disappointing seasons in recent history.
No, Boucher isn’t perfect and there’s absolutely no question he comes off as stubborn, but he was hand-picked to replace Dave Cameron by general manager Pierre Dorion in May 2016 and the Senators don’t feel they’ll accomplish anything by making a coaching change for change’s sake.
That doesn’t mean Boucher is exempt from changing his ways, though. He and the rest of his staff must dig deep to get this club back on track. The 5-0 homeice loss to the Boston Bruins on Saturday night was ugly in every sense and the excuse about playing games on back-to-back nights Boucher used following the game didn’t wash with anybody.
The Senators pretty much threw in the towel when the going got tough, which was not acceptable. It wasn’t the first time it had happened, either. They were blown out 5-1 by the Bruins in Boston last Wednesday, hammered 5-0 by the Jets in Winnipeg on Dec. 3 and blanked 5-0 by the Sharks in San Jose on Dec. 9.
It might not be in the best interests of many Senators players to purchase real estate.
No, this team doesn’t need a full teardown, and Dorion isn’t considering that route because almost every skater on the roster has underachieved, and goalies Craig Anderson and Mike Condon have struggled, too.
Still, there is a sense that Dorion is ready to strike at the core of the team with a significant change, sending a message that nobody’s job is safe. He left Monday for the world junior championship in Buffalo, will make a quick stop back at home Saturday and then head to Florida for scouting meetings.
It’s there that Senators management will determine the next steps.
After reaching the NHL’s Eastern Conference final against the Pittsburgh Penguins last spring, the Senators never thought they’d be in this position. They expected by Jan. 1 to be battling for a playoff spot, but now Dorion wants to determine the best options on the trade market.
There is significant interest in high-scoring winger Mike Hoffman, rugged forward Zack Smith and centre Jean-Gabriel Pageau. There have also been inquiries about centre Derick Brassard, but he isn’t going to be dealt, and there haven’t been many calls about defenceman Cody Ceci.
A rebuild isn’t in the cards because it’s not necessary, but the Senators may decide to retool a bit. If the likes of Hoffman, Pageau or Smith are dealt, the Senators will want to get younger. It’s doubtful all three of them would be moved, but it’s likely one of them would be.
The Senators may explore other options, too.
Veteran defenceman Johnny Oduya was a Stanley Cup champion with the Chicago Blackhawks in 2013 and 2015 and other teams are going to be looking for experience at the deadline, so there’s a strong chance he’ll be moved.
Other squads will also study the possibility of acquiring speedy winger Ryan Dzingel, and don’t be surprised if another team wants to trade for veteran Alex Burrows.
Overall, pretty much every player is available except for captain Erik Karlsson and winger Mark Stone.
At this point, the Senators aren’t close on any deals, so it’s unlikely anything is imminent. Attending the world juniors allows Dorion to better assess the trade market and figure out before next week’s scouting meetings exactly what kind of value these players have.
There’s no question the Senators need to do something. They sit 29th overall in the NHL standings and have a better chance at the No. 1 draft pick in June than they do at making the playoffs.