Martin: "Young players need time to realize that, in order to win on a consistent basis, in order to win a championship, you need to play a 200-foot game."
Here's a transcript of Wednesday GM Steve Staios: Exciting morning, exciting day for our franchise. I'm here to announce that Jacques Martin is joining our group in a senior advisor role to the coaching staff. Jacques's history with the club is well documented but also his resume and everything he's done in the game, including on the general manager side of things as well.
DJ and I had been talking about this for a while now. My job is to identify areas throughout the organization where we can add some support, along the lines of Matt Nichol, Daniel Alfredsson and the like. Our commitment is to provide all the tools and resources for us to be successful.
As I worked through the process, the fact that Jacques Martin was available to us, I think the qualities that he brings to any team and any organization with the integrity and character and experience, is a huge asset for us. We have a terrific coaching staff in place. I watch them work their tail off every day to prepare our players and they've done a good job. And I think with Jacques's addition to the group and having that resource for DJ and the rest of the coaching staff, I think it's a big step for us in that regard.
Without further ado, I'd like to introduce to you, back to Ottawa, Mr. Jacques Martin.
Jacques Martin: Well, it's a great pleasure and honor to come back to, uh, this organization. I want to thank the ownership, Steve, and the coaching staff. I think it's a great opportunity for me to work with some great people and also an excellent hockey team.
I'm really, really looking forward to working with the coaching staff, management and the players, because I believe that there's a strong nucleus here to finish, to do things to become a top team in the league and win a championship.
Reporter Ian Mendes: I'm just wondering, how did that first conversation go with Steve? And how did this all kind of come together from your vantage point?
Martin: Well, we've had some talks in the last while. And I really like the direction of the ownership and Steve. I think he's a young man that's bright, understands the responsibilities of the coaching staff and has a lot of faith in his coaching staff. And it just felt that with my involvement, just brings another resource, using my experience to try to help our team become even better.
I've been impressed. I've watched the last three games and it's been very impressive. The commitment of the players; and I was telling the coaches earlier today when I look at the team this year compared to last year; it's not about wins and losses to me. It's about the commitment away from the puck. I think a lot of those young players when they come into the league, their focus is all on offense, and they need time to realize that, in order to win on a consistent basis, in order to win championship, you need to play the game 200 feet.
And what I've seen in the last three games, it's been really encouraging.