The Senators add two names to the coaching staff and officially part ways with associate coach Jack Capuano.
New head coach Travis Green has made some changes to the Ottawa Senators' coaching staff for next season, but you probably wouldn't describe it as an extreme makeover.
As expected, Nolan Baumgartner, Green's longtime running mate from his days in Vancouver and Utica, re-joins him in Ottawa. The two worked together for over eight seasons. Senators have also officially added former NHL head coach Mike Yeo and parted company with longtime associate coach Jack Capuano.
Green's staff will include the return of assistant coaches Daniel Alfredsson and Ben Sexton, goaltending coach Justin Peters, and video coach Mike King.
"We're pleased to welcome both Nolan and Mike as new members of the Senators' organization," GM Steve Staios said in a news release today. "In addition to Daniel, Ben, Justin, and Mike's respective return, we're confident that this coaching staff represents a strong blend of experience and one that will provide Travis with high-level support while they collectively lead our team going forward."
When Alfredsson joined Jacques Martin's staff in December, it was unclear whether the Hall of Famer was doing it to help out in the interim or if he had aspirations to continue coaching. Now we know.
"Daniel's wealth of hockey 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 compliment to our staff and our team," Green said.
Given his long history with Green, Baumgartner's selection seemed like a natural. He was an assistant coach with the AHL's Manitoba Moose for the past two seasons.
Yeo is a two-time NHL head coach. He led the Minnesota Wild for four-plus seasons and the St. Louis Blues for pasrts of three seasons. He's been an assistant with the Pittsburgh Penguins, the Philadelphia Flyers, and most recently in Vancouver, where he was dismissed last month.
"I'm very excited to work with this group," Green said in a statement. "I think it represents a great combination of knowledge, coaching experience, youthfulness, and playing experience, all of which are integral components to a coaching staff's success. I'm of the firm belief that we'll be able to proactively collaborate as a group in the name of team success while establishing a winning culture."
Sexton was promoted to the Senators' coaching staff from the Belleville Senators last season. At 32, he's one of the league's youngest coaches, and as one player told me this season, his youth adds to the staff a relatable component for the players.