Long before we get a look at a revamped Senators roster for next season, comes the staff hired to shape their playing style.
A month ago, Ottawa introduced Travis Green as the new head coach, replacing interim coach Jacques Martin, who rides into the Florida sunset with his head held high.
Today, the Senators announced the rest of their staff, representing something familiar and something new.
First the newcomers: Mike Yeo, best known for his work as head coach of the Minnesota Wild and Green’s longtime assistant coach Nolan Baumgartner are the new additions behind the bench.
And returning from last season are franchise icon Daniel Alfredsson, Ben Sexton, goalie coach Justin Peters and video coach Mike King.
Yeo, 50, brings a wealth of head coaching know-how from his days with the Wild (2011-2016) and the St. Louis Blues (parts of three seasons beginning in 2017). A native of Toronto, Yeo was replaced in St. Louis by Craig Berube, who went on to win a Stanley Cup with the Blues in 2019.
Berube has just been introduced as head coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs, making him a key figure in the Battle of Ontario between the Leafs and Senators.
More recently, Yeo just finished work as a Vancouver Canucks assistant, in charge of their penalty killing. This past season, Yeo improved a horrible PK unit from his first season (ranked dead last) in Vancouver to 17th overall at 79.1 per cent in 2023-24.
The Senators had the fourth-worst PK numbers in the league last season at 75.1 per cent.
So, look for that to improve. In the nowhere to go but up department.
Head coaches like to have an assistant they know like a brother, and Baumgartner fits that bill. Green and Baumgartner have worked together for more than eight years – including four at the NHL level with Vancouver from 2017-2021. And then four in the AHL with Vancouver’s affiliate, the Utica Comets 2013-17.
Baumgartner, 48, grew up in Calgary and was a first-round draft pick of the Washington Capitals. A former right-shot defenceman, he brings expertise to Ottawa’s blue line.
“We’re pleased to welcome both Nolan and Mike as new members of the Senators’ organization,” said general manager Steve Staios. “In addition to Daniel, Ben, Justin and Mike (King)’s return, we’re confident that this coaching staff provides a strong blend of experience and one that will provide Travis with high-level support while they collectively lead our team going forward.”
Ottawa fans will be delighted to have it confirmed that Alfredsson is returning, after stepping in to help Martin last season when D.J. Smith was fired in mid-December.
You may recall that in late March, when Alfie was filling in for Martin at a morning media session, the Hall of Famer admitted to being bitten by the coaching bug. But he quickly added that he felt he needed more time to be ready for a head coaching gig.
“Daniel’s wealth of knowledge, his mindset as it relates to a standard we want to incorporate and his understanding of what it takes to win make him an invaluable complement to both our staff and our team,” said Green, in a statement.
Alfredsson, 51, had said that his first season behind an NHL bench involved a “very good and steep learning curve.”
Now the Senators all-time points leader is part of a very deep staff.
Green called it a group that represents an excellent combination of “knowledge, coaching experience, youthfulness and playing experience.
“I’m of the firm belief we’ll be able to proactively collaborate as a group in the name of team success while establishing a strong culture,” Green added.
Sexton is the youngest of the group at 32. Once a prospect in the organization and the son of former GM Randy Sexton, Sexton was with AHL Belleville but was promoted last September to spot on Ottawa’s bench.
As is the case in other areas of the hockey club, there are no excuses anymore.
No more first-time head coach or lack of depth among the assistant staff.
This group represents one of the most experienced staff Ottawa has had in many years, with multiple head coaching backgrounds, the star player quality in Alfie and the recent player in Sexton, albeit mostly at the AHL level.
It should be a hungry staff.
Looking to put a hungry team to work.