NHL: Senators fire coach Cameron

OTTAWA— Pierre Dorion wasted no time making his first move as general manager of the Ottawa Senators. Head coach Dave Cameron and assistants Andre Tourigny, Jason Smith and Rick Wamsley were all fired Tuesday, just two days after Dorion took over as GM from Bryan Murray.

Smith was offered another position within the organization.

Ottawa missed the playoffs after posting a disappointing 38-35-9 record. The 57-year-old Cameron, who took over as head coach during the 2014-15 season, had a 70-50-17 record with the Senators. He also spent three years as an assistant coach with the club and has a year remaining on his contract.

The Senators made an improbable run to the post-season under Cameron last season, qualifying for the playoffs in their final regular-season game and going 23-4-4 over their final 31 games. They were plagued by injuries and inconsistent play this season and took a significant step back.

“This is not a great day and it’s not a fun day,” Dorion said. “They are all good people.”

Ottawa has had a coaching carousel since Bryan Murray left following the 2006-07 season. The club has gone through six head coaches, including Murray’s brief stint in 2008 after John Paddock was fired.

Dorion said ideally a new head coach will be in place by the NHL draft in June, but he won’t hesitate to wait if the right candidate isn’t found by then.

“This is huge,” he said. “I just need to make sure I make the right decision.”

Dorion said while Cameron and his staff should shoulder some blame for Ottawa’s season, the players also need to held accountable.

“Players are part of this too,” said Dorion. “You can’t fire 23 players, you can’t, but sometimes it’s the direction they’re heading in.”

Movement behind Matthews in draft rankings

American forward Auston Matthews retained his position as the top draft prospect, but there’s been a juggling at the top of NHL rankings for European and North American skaters.

Though a product of the U.S. Development program, Matthews is rated with European skaters in the rankings because he spent his draft year playing in Switzerland.

“Auston Matthews is an extraordinary prospect with NHL size, speed and smarts combined with an exceptional work ethic and a relentless compete level,” said Dan Marr, the NHL’s director of Central Scouting.

Most scouts believe the second and third picks will be a pair of towering Finns. Tappara winger Patrik Laine, however, has usurped Tornio forward Jesse Puljujarv for second.

There’s also been movement on the North American side with forward Pierre-Luc Dubois (Cape Breton, QMJHL) now the top-ranked skater, ahead of London winger Matthew Tkachuk. Mississauga’s Alexander Nylander is rated third.

The NHL’s draft lottery, to determine the top three picks, is April 30. The draft will be held June 24-25. With files from Kevin McGran