Jacques Martin’s return to the Ottawa Senators’ coaching bench on Tuesday did not unfold as planned, as the team suffered a 4-3 defeat against the Arizona Coyotes. Taking over head coaching duties from the dismissed D.J. Smith, Martin faced immediate challenges, with defensive lapses contributing to the Coyotes’ comeback from a 3-0 deficit in the first period.
Despite the promising start under the new coach, the Sens conceded three goals in the third period, leading to their downfall. Jacques Martin acknowledged the positive aspects of the team’s performance but emphasized the need to address defensive shortcomings, particularly away from the puck. He outlined his plans to implement specific systems that would enhance the team’s defensive capabilities, with a focus on improvement during the upcoming practice.
Speaking on TSN Radio, Martin expressed satisfaction with certain elements of the game, especially the team’s puck control in the offensive zone during the first period. However, he recognized the imperative to enhance defensive effectiveness and improve overall performance, emphasizing the significance of upcoming practice sessions to address identified areas for improvement.
The Senators currently rank 26th in the league in goals allowed per game, conceding an average of 3.44 goals. Additionally, their struggles on special teams are evident, with a 73 percent penalty kill rate, placing them 29th in the league.
Jacques Martin brings a wealth of experience to the coaching role, with 17 years of NHL head coaching experience, the majority of which was with the Senators from 1996-2004. Hailing from Rockland, Ontario, Martin has also coached the St. Louis Blues, Florida Panthers, and Montreal Canadiens. Notably, he achieved success as an assistant with the Pittsburgh Penguins, winning two Stanley Cups in the 2016 and 2017 seasons.
Expressing optimism about the coaching opportunity, Martin sees potential in the young Senators’ squad, acknowledging the leadership group of the team’s emerging players and their talent. Adding to the coaching staff’s familiarity, Senators legend Daniel Alfredsson has been appointed as an assistant coach. While this marks Alfredsson’s first coaching role, Martin believes that the former captain’s NHL pedigree and 14 years of experience with the Senators will be instrumental in developing the team’s young core.
Martin and Alfredsson face the challenging task of revitalizing a struggling Senators team that has lost five consecutive games and currently occupies the last position in the Eastern Conference with an 11-16-0 record. Despite the team’s playoff aspirations entering the season, the young core has not yet met expectations.
In navigating the path to playoff contention, Martin emphasizes the importance of managing expectations and focusing on short-term objectives. He believes that setting realistic goals and fostering a continuous improvement mindset will be crucial for the team’s progression.
As the Senators embark on a journey under the guidance of Jacques Martin and Daniel Alfredsson, their combined experience and leadership will be pivotal in shaping the team’s trajectory and working towards achieving both short-term and long-term success.
Leave a Reply