Coaching change made in Ottawa!

While the Ottawa Senators keep entrusting head coach D.J. Smith with getting the team in a contending position for the 2024 postseason, the clubs has just announced on Wednesday morning that they have hired Jacques Martin as a senior advisor to Smith’s coaching staff.

Per Chris Johnston:

“We’re very pleased to welcome Jacques back to the Senators,” said president of hockey operations and interim general manager Steve Staios. “Not only will his extensive expertise provide invaluable guidance, but his strategic vision and leadership are qualities that are certain to amplify our group. Jacques’ proven track record, the foundation of which was built here in Ottawa, will be of significant benefit to D.J. and our entire coaching staff.”

This is a return to Ottawa for Martin, who back in 1996 spent nine seasons behind Ottawa’s bench and posted a 341-255-96 (.562) regular-season record with the franchise. He remains the team’s all-time leader in games coached (692), regular-season wins (341), playoff wins (31) and playoff games coached (69).

During the 2020-21 season, Martin served as an assistant coach with the New York Rangers before he became a coaching consultant capacity with the Ontario Hockey League’s Kingston Frontenacs.

Martin, who is 71 years old, had recently commented on the air of TSN 1200 that he sincerely believed that the Senators were heading in the right direction. He might have known then that he was coming in as a senior advisor to the coaching staff and could bring that help to get Ottawa on the next level.

For his career, Martin has a total record of 613-481-119-81 over 1,294 games as a head coach with the St. Louis Blues , Senators, Florida Panthers and Montreal Canadiens.

Ottawa currently sits last in the Atlantic Division this season with a 10-10 record.

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