Blast from the Past: Senators Hire Jacques Martin
The winningest coach in Ottawa Senators history returns as a senior advisor to D.J. Smith and his coaching staff.
November 23, 2011; Raleigh, NC, USA; Montreal Canadiens coach Jacques Martin against the Carolina Hurricanes at the RBC center. The Canadiens defeated the Hurricanes 4-3. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports - Blast from the Past: Senators Hire Jacques MartinSenators owner Michael Andlauer and GM Steve Staios haven't been shy to return to what's worked in the past in Ottawa.
They brought back Cyril Leeder, Daniel Alfredsson, and even anthem singer Lyndon Slewidge. And now the winningest coach in Ottawa Senators history has returned to the club.
Staios announced today that former Senators head coach Jacques Martin is their new Senior Advisor to the Coaching Staff. He'll serve as a day-to-day resource to head coach D.J. Smith and his staff and should be a phenomenal resource to a team that's lacked defensive structure. That, putting it simply, is Martin's calling card.
"We're very pleased to welcome Jacques back to the Senators," Staios said in a club press release. "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."
From 1996-2004, Martin was head coach of the Senators during their early heydays, when he posted a 341-255-96 (.562) regular-season record with the franchise. His defensive structure and regular season success were fantastic, but the Toronto Maple Leafs were his springtime kryptonite, and he could never get the Senators past them in the playoffs.
Martin remains the team's all-time leader in games coached (692), regular-season wins (341), playoff wins (31), and playoff games coached (69).
The 71-year-old has also been the head coach of the St. Louis Blues, Montreal Canadiens, and the Florida Panthers. Martin was also the general manager with the Panthers and has had several stops as an NHL assistant coach.
There's no doubt that it will be interesting to see if adding coaching help will be enough to satisfy a fan base that's been lookin' up at the clock, and waiting on a change behind the bench.
