Darren Dreger posted on social media today that he's led to believe that Travis Green will be the Sens' next head coach after some final details are worked out.
Hockey's top insiders are all weighing in today on 53-year-old Travis Green, suggesting he's likely to be the next head coach of the Ottawa Senators.
First, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman suggested that Green has emerged as the front-runner.
"So this is what I'm hearing. I'm hearing all eyes on Travis Green here," Friedman said on Sportsnet today. "And look, I want to be careful about this. Nothing is done until it's done. But I'm hearing all eyes on Travis Green. And we'll see what the next few days bring."
By mid-afternoon, TSN's Darren Dreger suggested the deal was all but done, save for some final details.
Scrolling through the Ottawa Senator message boards and social media, much of the reaction to this choice, if it is the choice, has yet to be positive. At best, it's confusion/curiosity as to why the Sens would go with a coach with a career coaching record under .500 when so many other options exist.
Green spent four and a half seasons in Vancouver before being replaced mid-season by Bruce Boudreau. Green also had a brief stint in New Jersey this year as an interim coach. Notably, he led Portland to a WHL championship, stepping up from assistant to head coach when Mike Johnston was suspended mid-season.
Until now, much of the discussion has been focused on names like, for example, Craig Berube (.584), Dean Evason (.639), and Todd McLellan (.581), who all have much stronger career winning percentages than Green (.473)
Whether it's good or bad, Brady Tkachuk's phone is probably blowing up now with messages from the Hughes brothers. Tkachuk is tight with all three, and all of them have played for Green in the past.