Senators Name Steve Staios as Permanent GM; Hire Former TSN Analyst Dave Poulin

Staios: "I know the coaches are sending the right message. We gotta learn how to play the right way."

The Ottawa Senators' new front office is taking shape. 

The club announced today the appointment of Steve Staios to the role of General Manager and President of Hockey Operations. Staios has been the acting GM since the departure of Pierre Dorion in November and now the interim label has been removed.

TSN analyst Dave Poulin has accepted the club's new role of Senior Vice-President of Hockey Operations, and Ryan Bowness's new title will be Associate General Manager. 

As a player, the 65-year-old Poulin is a former NHL Selke Trophy winner (86-87), playing in the league from 1982 to 1995 with Philadelphia, Boston, and Washington. He played and coached at Notre Dame and worked in Toronto's front office.

Owner Michael Andlauer held a New Year' eve press conference, a couple of hours before the team's home game against the Buffalo Sabres.

"I've had the pleasure of knowing Dave for many years," Andlauer said. "I think (Poulin and Staios) complement each other perfectly for this organization."

Staios was asked about his priorities now that the interim tag has been removed.

"To make an evaluation on something without all the information is not the right way to do it," Staios said. "So I want to see how this coaching staff can resonate with this group. I know they're sending the right message. We gotta learn how to play the right way.

"I believe we have the right coaching staff in place to implement those right core values to play the right way. And then you start to evaluate the roster and you see how everybody fits in and what the dynamics are and what changes may need to be made at that point."

For Poulin, he leaves behind a good job at TSN, but there was one element of this particular NHL opportunity that made it so attractive.

"The people I'll be working with," Poulin said. "I've been really fortunate in my career. I've had this eclectic career. It hasn't been a straight line at all... But this is about joining people. This is about Michael and Steve and the people they're putting in place. And I know them well. This is an opportunity to be with what I believe is a special group."

Poulin also hinted at a couple of possible reasons for the Sens ongoing issues – roster construction being one of them.

"When you're putting a team together, it's tempting to look at all the pieces and think you have perfect pieces," Poulin said. "But they're not perfect if they don't go together. And I think that's a challenge that a lot of teams face in the NHL."

He also believes the Senators need to figure out how to be consistent and deal with the highs and lows of an 82 game season.

"We've got to better equip this group with how to handle those wild swings," Poulin said. "Some of it's physical, some of it's mental. And some of it is flat out experience."

Bowness was Dorion's right hand man, but seems to have impressed the new regime.

"I think the world of Ryan Bowness," Staios said. "I think he adds a great deal to our group. Ryan has not been with our organization very long. He came from a winning organization in Pittsburgh, with two Stanley Cups. He's seen what it takes to be a strong front office and to move an organization along to championship form."

From the Senators press release:

A native of Timmins, Ont., Poulin previously served as Vice-President, Hockey Operations with the Toronto Maple Leafs from 2009 to 2014 where he was also the General Manager of the team’s American Hockey League affiliate, the Toronto Marlies. Most recently, he worked at TSN covering the Senators and the NHL as a hockey analyst on both television and radio.

As a player, Poulin skated in 724 career NHL games registering 530 points (205 goals, 325 assists) over 12 seasons with Philadelphia (where he served as Flyers’ team captain from 1984 through 1990), the Boston Bruins and Washington Capitals. A three-time 70-point producer with the Flyers, he was awarded the Frank J. Selke Trophy as the NHL forward who best demonstrates defensive skill following the 1986-87 season. He was also the recipient of the King Clancy Trophy following the 1992-93 season as the NHL player who best exemplifies leadership qualities on and off the ice and one who has made a significant humanitarian contribution to his community.

Staios joined the Senators as President of Hockey Operations on Sept. 29 and was later appointed as the team’s interim General Manager.

Bowness joined the club on July 5, 2022, as Assistant General Manager after serving as the Pittsburgh Penguins’ Director of Professional Scouting for the three previous campaigns.