Jacques Martin, “Alfie” Bring the Senators a Fresh Outlook

Not long after D.J. Smith said he wanted to “loosen things up” during practice Monday in Tempe, Ottawa Senators president of hockey operations and interim general manager Steve Staios announced the team relieved their head coach of his duties.

In addition to Smith, the Senators also parted ways with assistant coach Davis Payne.

Named as a special advisor to the Senators’ coaching staff only 11 days ago, Jacques Martin becomes the team’s interim head coach.

Daniel Alfredsson steps into a full-time role behind the bench as an assistant.

Hired by former GM Pierre Dorion on May 23, 2019, Smith was the perfect coach at the time to guide a rebuilding squad. Smith was energetic, enthusiastic and highly thought of by his players and media alike.

However, during his four-plus seasons serving as head coach, the Senators haven’t made strides in the Eastern Conference standings.

Possessing a record of 11-15-0, 29th league-wide, the team is currently mired in a four-game losing skid. This after the Senators played their most complete game this season in a 6-2 victory over the New York Rangers.

Their previous record under Smith at the identical 26-mark belies this.

2022-23  10-14-2  21st overall

2021-22   9-16-1   26th overall

2020-21   8-17-1   23rd overall

2019-20  11-14-1  30th overall

If anyone is to replace Smith, Jacques Martin is the right person at this juncture.

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A veteran NHL head coach of 1,406 games including playoffs with four divisional titles, three with Ottawa, one President’s Trophy, 12 postseason appearances, eight consecutive in Martin’s previous tenure with the Senators among his accomplishments. Not to mention, earning two Stanley Cup rings while serving as assistant with the Pittsburgh Penguins.

The 71-year old brings his penchant for invoking structure, defensive awareness and for possessing successful special teams unit – an area where the club has taken a nose-dive this season.

The Senators power play has dipped from ranking eighth in 2022-23 to 21st this season. Their penalty kill is currently the league’s second-worst compared to 14th last season.

The permanent addition of former captain Daniel Alfredsson helps immensely. There’s probably no one as well-respected as the Senators’ Hall of Famer. “Alfie’s” knowledge and leadership in all areas is something the remainder of the coaching staff and players can lean upon.

This season was supposed to be different. While the players refused to openly admit, there was an air of confidence surrounding the club leading into camp. With new owner Michael Andlauer leading the group, the entire organization appeared to be refreshed.

This was the season the Senators would make their return to the playoffs or at least go down swinging until the very end.

But then under Pierre Dorion, salary cap issues crept in. The team played one man short opening night in Raleigh. Shane Pinto was subsequently suspended, followed by the forfeiture of a future first-round in the Evgenii Dadonov affair. Not to mention Dorion was fired as general manager.

The air slowly drifted from the Senator’s sails.

Is too late to the right the ship?

It’s never too late. However, the squad needs to go on a somewhat “Hamburglar” type run to gain a playoff berth.

Based on last season’s Eastern Conference final wildcard 92-point total, the Senators need to garner 70 points over their next 56 games. Using this as an outlier, the team must earn a record of 32-18-6 or thereabouts the rest of the way.

It’s certainly not possible. Fresh voices and the proverbial “new coach bump” can go a long way.

The season starts anew for the Ottawa Senators.