Senators mock coach in candid video
Players filmed in Phoenix during Uber ride
OT TAWA • A number of Ottawa Senators openly joke about their penalty-killing abilities, mock one of their coaches and laugh at the ineffectiveness of special-team meetings in a candid video posted online.
The video is the latest bit of embarrassing news for a team trying to rebuild a more positive, professional culture after the high-profile departures of Erik Karlsson and Mike Hoffman.
The video — since taken down — appears to have been shot in Phoenix on Oct. 29 or 30 during the team’s western road swing. It was recorded, presumably by the Uber driver, as seven Senators were transported in a van or SUV. It appears that none of the players were aware the conversation was being recorded.
The five-minute recording was subsequently posted on YouTube and Twitter. The bulk of the conversation focuses on the team’s defensive woes. The Senators stand near the bottom of the league in terms of penalty-killing and are deadlast in shots allowed per game.
“Marty Raymond, the only coach in NHL history to have the worst power play and the worst PK within a calendar year,” says Sens forward Matt Duchene, in reference to Martin Raymond, an assistant coach in charge of the team’s penalty killing this year and power play last season.
The remark is met with laughter and only invites more jest from the players.
Defenceman Chris Wideman, sitting in the front passenger seat, chirps in: “Do you notice that when (Raymond) runs the video, if you actually do pay attention, he doesn’t ever teach you anything? He just commentates what’s happening.”
Then Duchene can be heard replying: “Here’s the other thing, too. We don’t change anything, ever. So why do we even have a meeting? I haven’t paid attention in three weeks.”
The driver appears unaware of who the players are and, early in the ride, asks what team they play for. Newcomer Chris Tierney is seated behind the driver and can be seen and heard looking up team statistics on his phone, finding the Sens 29th in the 31-team league in terms of penalty killing.
Defenceman Thomas Chabot can also be seen in the middle of the second row of seats. When Wideman says, “I also hate how he quizzes us,” the conversation meanders and Chabot says, of the next potential meeting: “No, please ask a question, just so he says ‘great question.’”
Raymond, 51, was hired by the Senators in July 2016 and previously served as an assistant to head coach Guy Boucher with the Tampa Bay Lightning and in the AHL.
After the video became public on Monday, Chabot, Dylan DeMelo, Duchene, Alex Formenton, Chris Tierney, Wideman, and Colin White released the following statement:
“We want to apologize publicly to Marty Raymond, our teammates and coaches for our comments in Phoenix Arizona on October 29. Our private conversation was recorded without our knowledge or consent. We’re passionate about our team, and focusing on growing together. We are grateful for the support of our fans and organization. This is an important learning experience, and we will do better.”
And there was this from Boucher: “Nothing is more important to us during this rebuild than making sure our players and coaches are fully committed to our plan, our values and our system of play. We have every confidence in Marty Raymond’s coaching; in the effort and determination of our team; and in the sincerity of our players’ apology. We are now treating this as a team matter, and will be making no further comment to the media.”
Uber did not immediately respond for comment, but includes a section on privacy on its website. Although it does not specifically mention audio or video recordings, it does say “Uber may share your information other than as described in this policy if we notify you and you consent to the sharing.”