I think we are all pretty common sense in here.

I could see them rolling back with the same goalie tandem...but when it's bad....WHEN IT COUNTS......(Last night Gorgiev) that's when it's painful.

We havent even gotten to the dance yet. Imagine getting to the dance....with the players that Colorado or even Toronto have.....and then get that level of goaltending

Looks like Belleville Sens and Toronto Marlies will be playing in the AHL playoff. Thought Belleville wasn't even going to make it for a minute there.

Something to look towards I guess with Kleven and Soogard, even though its hard to project that kind of success to the NHL.

I think we are all pretty common sense in here.

I could see them rolling back with the same goalie tandem...but when it's bad....WHEN IT COUNTS......(Last night Gorgiev) that's when it's painful.

We havent even gotten to the dance yet. Imagine getting to the dance....with the players that Colorado or even Toronto have.....and then get that level of goaltending
- Octavarium

I understand what your saying, 100%.

With that said - having a Connor Hellebuyck doesn't win you a cup, or even get you to a finals. Same with Ullmark. In fact, no vezina winning goalie in the past 12 years has won the cup in the same year. Of those goalies, Vasilevskiy and Holtby actually won the cup in that time.

Darcy Kuemper and Adin Hill won cups as somewhat above average goaltending. I think those timely saves are what matters. Craig Anderson was an amazing example of a goalie that was never a Vezina nominee but provided solid goaltending, going 1 goal away from a cup final. I think he was a good enough goalie to win a cup.

All this said, having strong goalies and SOLID D-men isn't sexy but would be amazing from cup contention standpoint

Wow. Ruff hired in Buffalo quickly. Sens still have their pick of the litter

Wow. Ruff hired in Buffalo quickly. Sens still have their pick of the litter
- GrimmdaGoalie

After Jacques Martin came to Ottawa.

He went to finals with Hasek in 99 (I think).

Sens should get a veteran coach. Gerard Gallant is a great choice man! Craig Berube is not bad either but I think Gallant with Roy and his old staff from Vegas would get the best out of us. He took Vegas to the CUP FINALS in their first year (with ALL new players that never played together)

Why this love affair with Gallant. He has really only had 1 year of success. He is a 2 or 3 year coach and then fired.
Columbus, Montreal, Florida, Vegas, Rangers ....... a journeyman coach. We need someone who can grow with this team and be here for years. Not a flash in the pan who will be fired in a few years.

Why this love affair with Gallant. He has really only had 1 year of success. He is a 2 or 3 year coach and then fired.
Columbus, Montreal, Florida, Vegas, Rangers ....... a journeyman coach. We need someone who can grow with this team and be here for years. Not a flash in the pan who will be fired in a few years.
- OttawaB

suggestions man?

You tear down an idea without providing a solution. Who do you think?

All coaches are journeymen - high majority. Gallant has a better career winning % then Paul Maurice, Lindy Ruff, John Tortorella, Jacques Martin, Bryan Murray, Peter DeBoer and many others.

If a guy like Mike Sullivan becomes available or someone then go for it, but he's going to make this team win more

suggestions man?

You tear down an idea without providing a solution. Who do you think?

All coaches are journeymen - high majority. Gallant has a better career winning % then Paul Maurice, Lindy Ruff, John Tortorella, Jacques Martin, Bryan Murray, Peter DeBoer and many others.

If a guy like Mike Sullivan becomes available or someone then go for it, but he's going to make this team win more
- AlfieisKing

I have posted many times what my thoughts on coaching could be. I have sometimes suggested Berube, but I don't think he wants to come here.

Other thoughts .... I like John Gruden (great defensive minded coach and has risen through the ranks). I also like Jay McKee, coaching in Uttica of AHL .... look at both of their resumes and what others say about them. And if coaches like Sullivan or Jon Cooper somehow shake loose then they would be top candidates. I just don't want to recycle these coaches that go somewhere for a few years .... like pop rockets .... great big bang to start and then they fizzle out.

I have posted many times what my thoughts on coaching could be. I have sometimes suggested Berube, but I don't think he wants to come here.

Other thoughts .... I like John Gruden (great defensive minded coach and has risen through the ranks). I also like Jay McKee, coaching in Uttica of AHL .... look at both of their resumes and what others say about them. And if coaches like Sullivan or Jon Cooper somehow shake loose then they would be top candidates. I just don't want to recycle these coaches that go somewhere for a few years .... like pop rockets .... great big bang to start and then they fizzle out.
- OttawaB

I get what your saying. I don't disagree. Guy Boucher is a great example.

With that said, this team NEEDS to make the playoffs next year. At the very least they need to be in the race like the Red Wings (eliminated in the last week). Otherwise the Sens rebuild hasn't been successful. Getting Tkachuk, Stutzle, and Sanderson is only part of it. You need these players playing in meaningful games and it's not just words. Experience is what will build these players. I'm not saying you target a coach but if the Sens have to switch coaches after 3-4 years of making the playoffs and not getting to the finals I'm ok with that. Again not the goal but we need to choose a coach that can make progress with the group. A lot of it is timing too I guess, a guy like Cassidy came up and yes Sens were a rebuilding team but if they were contenders you want to scoop up a guy like that right away. I think there's more faith in Sullivan than Cooper becoming available.

Why this love affair with Gallant. He has really only had 1 year of success. He is a 2 or 3 year coach and then fired.
Columbus, Montreal, Florida, Vegas, Rangers ....... a journeyman coach. We need someone who can grow with this team and be here for years. Not a flash in the pan who will be fired in a few years.
- OttawaB

Everywhere Gallant goes, the team gets better. He gets fired within a couple of years because he's a notorious Richardbag and by all indications, a problem drinker. A coach named 'Gallant' leading the 'Knights' to a Stanley Cup chance in year one of expansion? How do you not keep that around?

So he is short shelf life, BUT he's the kind of no nonsense grumpy dink that this team needs short term to whip them into shape, and he's a known delegator, so whoever his Associate/assistants are (hint: here is where Gruden should fit) benefit and mature under his guidance. I am all for a one year Gallant contract with Gruden in the wings as opposed to handing the keys to Gruden right away.

Everywhere Gallant goes, the team gets better. He gets fired within a couple of years because he's a notorious Richardbag and by all indications, a problem drinker. A coach named 'Gallant' leading the 'Knights' to a Stanley Cup chance in year one of expansion? How do you not keep that around?

So he is short shelf life, BUT he's the kind of no nonsense grumpy dink that this team needs short term to whip them into shape, and he's a known delegator, so whoever his Associate/assistants are (hint: here is where Gruden should fit) benefit and mature under his guidance. I am all for a one year Gallant contract with Gruden in the wings as opposed to handing the keys to Gruden right away.
- Bartacus

The problem is , that Gruden was an assistant coach with the Boston Bruins and he left to get the head coaching experience with the Marlies in the AHL. I doubt he would go backwards and take an assistant job in Ottawa. He could have just stayed in Boston for that role.

Everywhere Gallant goes, the team gets better. He gets fired within a couple of years because he's a notorious Richardbag and by all indications, a problem drinker. A coach named 'Gallant' leading the 'Knights' to a Stanley Cup chance in year one of expansion? How do you not keep that around?

So he is short shelf life, BUT he's the kind of no nonsense grumpy dink that this team needs short term to whip them into shape, and he's a known delegator, so whoever his Associate/assistants are (hint: here is where Gruden should fit) benefit and mature under his guidance. I am all for a one year Gallant contract with Gruden in the wings as opposed to handing the keys to Gruden right away.
- Bartacus

This is the key! Coaches a BRAND NEW team, BRAND NEW players (almost all never played together) - that's a tough task man! Then taking that team to the cup finals, if that's not a great coach then I'm sorry your off your rocker.

I get the comment but what if he gets the Sens to the playoffs and then wins a round? Who cares if he gets fired after two years. It's the owner who will be paying him. The PLAYERS will get better. Vegas got better after him and won a cup. Rangers got better and were the best team in the NHL this season.

ya. Cappuano has to go too...

I love Chris Kelly but I don't want a "new" guy.

I want a proven winner, D-Bag coach for this group.

The problem is , that Gruden was an assistant coach with the Boston Bruins and he left to get the head coaching experience with the Marlies in the AHL. I doubt he would go backwards and take an assistant job in Ottawa. He could have just stayed in Boston for that role.
- OttawaB

Good point, though I think if you are hired by people you know/friends and those friends give you some kind of assurance that you're the anointed successor, you might be amenable. I think folks would agree we have had far too many first time coaches on this team - it's all well and good if Gruden comes in and kicks ass, but if he falters it will be bad optics and fans will justifiably be miffed that management once again opted to choose magic beans over a name with tenure and a winning track record. Lest we forget if we are working on merit - it's not like the Marlies are a fabulous team with Gruden behind the bench.

Good point, though I think if you are hired by people you know/friends and those friends give you some kind of assurance that you're the anointed successor, you might be amenable. I think folks would agree we have had far too many first time coaches on this team - it's all well and good if Gruden comes in and kicks ass, but if he falters it will be bad optics and fans will justifiably be miffed that management once again opted to choose magic beans over a name with tenure and a winning track record. Lest we forget if we are working on merit - it's not like the Marlies are a fabulous team with Gruden behind the bench.
- Bartacus

Sure , but by your metrics, Gallant hasn't done anything since that one year in Vegas. The other issue is, what happens if the younger Sens rebel against Gallant's style (kind of like Babcock and Columbus). Being a dirtbag/douchebag doesn't necessarily work anymore.

Sure , but by your metrics, Gallant hasn't done anything since that one year in Vegas. The other issue is, what happens if the younger Sens rebel against Gallant's style (kind of like Babcock and Columbus). Being a dirtbag/douchebag doesn't necessarily work anymore.
- OttawaB

Don't understand the 'by your metric' business - GG's record speaks for itself and can be looked up if you don't trust me. Gallant immediately turned a non playoff team in the Rangers around to make the playoffs in 2021-2022 after they had only made the show once in seven years, and they qualified by a convincing margin, not the skin of their teeth. He ended up stepping down because I believe he was asked to leave after the Rags were ousted in round 1 last year, and as a result Lavy got to inherit - get this - this year's President's Trophy Winner. Results. Matter.

Don't understand the 'by your metric' business - GG's record speaks for itself and can be looked up if you don't trust me. Gallant immediately turned a non playoff team in the Rangers around to make the playoffs in 2021-2022 after they had only made the show once in seven years, and they qualified by a convincing margin, not the skin of their teeth. He ended up stepping down because I believe he was asked to leave after the Rags were ousted in round 1 last year, and as a result Lavy got to inherit - get this - this year's President's Trophy Winner. Results. Matter.
- Bartacus

Why would you hire a coach only to fire him in 2-3 years. Coaching turnover is not not good (hello Sens for the past decade). You need stability, someone to take this team potentially longer term. Gallant is a pop rocket doomed to fizzle out and then you need to go through the changes all over again. The way this management operates, it seems they want something longer term. If Sens wanted Gallant and Gallant wanted the job, I think it would have been done already.

Why would you hire a coach only to fire him in 2-3 years. Coaching turnover is not not good (hello Sens for the past decade). You need stability, someone to take this team potentially longer term. Gallant is a pop rocket doomed to fizzle out and then you need to go through the changes all over again. The way this management operates, it seems they want something longer term. If Sens wanted Gallant and Gallant wanted the job, I think it would have been done already.
- OttawaB

I tend to agree with you about turnover, though Gallant seems to be something of an anomaly where short term stints have yielded very good long term results in both Vegas and, it would appear, the Rangers. Whether that because of him or in spite of him is perhaps debatable, and granted it is a limited sample size, but the end results make him look like a pretty reliable option.

Garrioch reporting team has held conversations with Dean Evasion, Craig Berubé, and Todd McLellan, Brad Shaw and Jon Gruden on radar.

Garrioch reporting team has held conversations with Dean Evasion, Craig Berubé, and Todd McLellan, Brad Shaw and Jon Gruden on radar.
- Bartacus

https://www.tsn.ca/nhl/re...coaching-search-1.2110540

Interviewing Berube? Good. He deserves a good job. Loved him with St. Louis. Hard nosed brutally honest coach. Lost the room. New coach for the Blues didn’t do much better. Blame it on the gm for horrid ntc contracts gotta love Tkachuk. Blues helped raise him ha ha. Hopefully you guys get your poop together. Want to see you in the playoffs next year. It would be a huge points swing

I could see the Sens bringing in McLellan as an assistant coach. Not sure I can see Evason coming in unless it was for an assistant. I also wonder what the Sens will do with Capuano. I still think they will keep Ben Sexton. I could see Alfredsson with some form of assistant role as well more to do with training and teaching.

I don't think Quenneville would take the job in Ottawa ...... but if the NHL cleared him to coach again ..... and if he wanted the job ...... any thoughts on Quenneville coaching the Sens or could that be too toxic?

Interviewing Berube? Good. He deserves a good job. Loved him with St. Louis. Hard nosed brutally honest coach. Lost the room. New coach for the Blues didn’t do much better. Blame it on the gm for horrid ntc contracts gotta love Tkachuk. Blues helped raise him ha ha. Hopefully you guys get your poop together. Want to see you in the playoffs next year. It would be a huge points swing
- BluesDroogie

What would the blues want for Schenn + Parayko?

Are they rebuilding?

Interviewing Berube? Good. He deserves a good job. Loved him with St. Louis. Hard nosed brutally honest coach. Lost the room. New coach for the Blues didn’t do much better. Blame it on the gm for horrid ntc contracts gotta love Tkachuk. Blues helped raise him ha ha. Hopefully you guys get your poop together. Want to see you in the playoffs next year. It would be a huge points swing
- BluesDroogie

What would the blues want for Schenn + Parayko?

Are they rebuilding?
- AlfieisKing

Both have full NTC. So both would have to waive first. Doubtful they would for a trade to Ottawa.