After missing out on Bruce Boudreau, Ottawa has found their new head coach. The team announced on Sunday they’ve hired former Tampa Bay Lightning coach Guy Boucher.
News Release: Guy Boucher named Ottawa Senators head coach: https://t.co/UBwwAxmaRR #Sens
— Ottawa Senators (@Senators) May 8, 2016
Owner Eugene Melnyk said Boucher was the top candidate for the job.
“Over the past three weeks, Pierre Dorion and our hockey operations staff have undertaken a thorough and comprehensive search for our next head coach. Following a detailed evaluation of all coaching candidates, there was overwhelming consensus that Guy was our top candidate,” said Senators owner Eugene Melnyk. “We wanted a great coach and this process yielded our top pick. I couldn’t be happier. On behalf of the entire Senators organization, the great city of Ottawa and our fans, I want to welcome Guy, his wife Marsha and their three children, Vincent, Mila and Naomi.”
The Senators really missed an opportunity when not offering Boudreau a contract during his visit, but landing Boucher is much more than a consolation prize. He coached in Tampa for three seasons, leading the Lightning to the Eastern Conference Finals in his first season – finishing 97-78-20 overall. Boucher coached in Switzerland for the last three seasons. He’s a legit coach who has been a top candidate for multiple positions since being axed in 2013. He’s a creative, defensively minded fit and an excellent fit in Ottawa. Even the man who fired him, Steve Yzerman, praised the hiring.
Steve Yzerman on Boucher's hire in Ottawa: "Guy is a very bright, innovative young coach. It's great to see him back in the NHL."
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) May 8, 2016
Boucher enters a Senators team with plenty of good pieces, including Erik Karlsson, Mark Stone, Jean-Gabriel Pageau, Mike Hoffman and Mike Zibanejad. On paper, with an improved defense, they’re a playoff team. Given that’s Boucher’s strength, it’s a nice fit.
I give full marks for the Senators for making the right hire. Missing on Boudreau stings but landing Boucher makes up for it.
