Andlauer said he expects the sale to be finalized by the end of the week, which will likely touch off a series of hirings in Ottawa.
Andlauer said he expects the sale to be finalized by the end of the week, which will likely touch off a series of hirings in Ottawa.
With the long-awaited sale of the Ottawa Senators expected to be completed sometime this week, fans have already begun to see changes in the front office. From staff leaving their positions to new faces being added, and tons of rumours about what's coming next, there are plenty of moving pieces.
Since Michael Andlauer was announced as the preferred bidder and next owner of the Senators on June 13th there has been plenty of movement and whispers. With Andlauer expected to take full control of the team in the coming days, let's examine all the changes so far and what could be coming shortly.
Subtractions
Anthony LeBlanc
It took less than a month to see the first change in Senators management after Andlauer was announced as the next owner. On July 10th, Anthony LeBlanc, President of Business Operations for the Senators resigned from his position. LeBlanc joined the team in 2020 from the Arizona Coyotes, was a Senators fan growing up, and did great work to re-establish the team in the community. Although his departure was not directly linked to Andlauer's ownership, LeBlanc likely saw what was coming.
Trent Mann
The next day, July 11th, Ottawa reportedly "parted ways" with assistant general manager, Trent Mann, but didn't officially announce the news until the 19th. This shuffle may be a little more complicated than just new ownership, as Mann's brother Troy, former head coach of the Belleville Senators, was let go earlier this year.
Trent is highly thought of in hockey circles. He was also in charge of the team's amateur scouting staff and ran the draft table this summer. The move came as a bit of a shock but, regardless, the Sens now have another open position in hockey operations.
Additions
Sean Tierney
On September 11th, the Senators announced two new hires, including a long-awaited full-time analytics position. Sean Tierney, formerly Senior Director of Analytics and Pro Services at SportLogiq, was hired to be the team's first-ever Director of Analytics. It's the franchise's first full-time hire for this department. Tierney has ties to the Ottawa area, having completed his undergrad at the University of Ottawa and his masters at Carleton University. According to the team's press release, Tierney's data-driven approach will help the entire hockey operations and coaching staff make more informed decisions.
Ben Sexton
Secondly, after three years in the same role in Belleville, Ottawa hired Ben Sexton as an assistant coach. Sexton spent eight years as a player, mostly the AHL and got in two NHL games with Ottawa in 2017-18. The Ottawa native will serve as an "eye-in-the-sky," giving a different perspective from the press box. And with his recent playing experience, Sexton can likely be a more relatable voice to some of the younger players. Additionally, it is speculated that Sexton may be assisting with some of Bob Jones' responsibilities while he continues his battle with ALS.
Chris Dennis
To replace Sexton in Belleville, the Senators hired Chris Dennis, Head Coach of the Kitchener Rangers to fill the Assistant Coach position in Belleville. Dennis also has assistant coaching stints for the Toronto Maple Leafs and the AHL’s Chicago Wolves.
Re-Shuffle
Rob Murphy and Jim Clark
The Senators also reshuffled their professional scouting department. Rob Murphy has been promoted to chief professional scout, taking over from Jim Clark. It is expected that Clark will remain on the team’s scouting staff.
Rumours
Daniel Alfredsson
The greatest Senator of all time, Daniel Alfredsson, has long been rumoured to rejoin the team in some capacity when new ownership takes over. He stated that he wished to have an impactful position in hockey operations. Some have speculated that he may be hired to lead the Player Development department, which would make a ton of sense for the Hockey Hall of Famer.
Steve Staios
The name that has been attached to Andlauer the longest has been Staios. The long-time GM and President of the Hamilton Bulldogs, working under Andlauer, is expected to join the Senators front office in some capacity. Working for the Toronto Maple Leafs and, most recently, the Edmonton Oilers, he has NHL experience. He also appears to be available since he has not been listed on the Oilers website since Jeff Jackson was hired there. A potential title for Staios could be assistant GM as the Sens have been down one since Trent Mann was let go in July.
Cyril Leeder
Former Team President Cyril Leeder is expected to return to the club when Andlauer officially takes over. Former TSN reporter Brent Wallace reported on his podcast that Leeder will soon be introduced as the team's new CEO. This will be a great move as the team continues to rebuild their presence in the community. Leeder recently resigned from his position as CEO of the Myers Automotive Group.
Mathieu Darche
Another name that's been connected to the Senators is Mathieu Darche, the AGM and Director of Hockey Operations for the Tampa Bay Lightning. Darche was a candidate for recent GM openings in Chicago and Montreal and Andlauer likes him. There would be no reason for Darche to leave a great position with a franchise that has had so much success unless he is getting an even better opportunity in Ottawa.
Peter Chiarelli
Finally, the most recent name to be linked to the Senators is long-time hockey executive Peter Chiarelli. The Ottawa native has over two decades of experience in the NHL, including stints in Ottawa, Boston, Edmonton, and most recently St. Louis. According to Brent Wallace, Chiarelli has moved back to the Ottawa area, has a relationship with Staios, and could be added to the Sens front office when Andlauer takes over. It is unclear what his role might be if this does happen.
As fans eagerly anticipate Michael Andlauer's imminent takeover, the winds of change have already swept through the organization. We've witnessed the departure of key figures, such as Anthony LeBlanc and Trent Mann. On the flip side, fresh faces have entered the fold, with Sean Tierney and Ben Sexton bringing new perspectives and expertise. The recent reshuffling in the professional scouting department underlines the team's commitment to revitalizing its approach.
As rumours swirl about potential additions like Daniel Alfredsson, Steve Staios, Cyril Leeder, Mathieu Darche, and Peter Chiarelli, the future of the Senators' front office remains tantalizingly uncertain. With each move and speculation, the dawn of a new era for the Ottawa Senators becomes increasingly intriguing.
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