Why Hiring Jacques Martin in Ottawa Would Make Perfect Sense

The Sens have work to do defensively, and Jacques Martin doesn't have an NHL job right now. If he still wants it, a role as an assistant coach or consultant would be a perfect fit.

This fall will mark the 40th anniversary of the first time Jacques Martin stepped behind a bench in a high-level game. The Rockland-born NHL coaching veteran made his debut for the OHL's Peterborough Petes in 1983, working as an assistant alongside head coach Dick Todd. 

To say that Martin was a quick study would be a laughable understatement. 

Two years later, Martin was the head coach in Guelph, leading the Platers to the 1986 Memorial Cup title in his one and only season there. That fall, he was named the new head coach of the 1986-87 St. Louis Blues.

Today, after a quick 1294-game pit stop in the NHL, Martin finds himself back in the Ontario Hockey League. He spent last season as a Senior Advisor to the Kingston Frontenacs' coaching staff and management team.

"For me, to have this opportunity to work with the young staff in Kingston is a nice challenge and something I am really looking forward to," Martin said after the club announcement last fall. 

The Frontenacs missed the playoffs by one point, but it's impossible to imagine Martin wasn't a fabulous resource to 34-year-old head coach Luca Caputi, not to mention hockey operations.

No one has coached more games for the Ottawa Senators than Jacques Martin. At 1294 NHL games coached, that puts him in 17th place on the all-time list. He's seen everything. And one of his biggest skills is the implementation of structure and team defence, which also happens to be one of the Senators' glaring weaknesses right now.

He's available, he's a good human being, and by his own words in Kingston last fall, sharing his expertise and experience with a young staff is something that appeals to him. 

Martin could help expedite the stabilization of team defence in Ottawa – just like he did when he arrived back in the 90s. And based on the replies to my tweet below, it sounds like most fans love the idea.