{"id":439801,"date":"2024-04-15T12:01:04","date_gmt":"2024-04-15T16:01:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/?p=439801"},"modified":"2024-04-15T12:10:24","modified_gmt":"2024-04-15T16:10:24","slug":"ottawa-senators-2023-24-and-the-offseason","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2024\/04\/15\/ottawa-senators-2023-24-and-the-offseason\/","title":{"rendered":"Ottawa Senators 2023-24 and the Offseason"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/category\/senators\/\" target=\"_self\">Ottawa Senators<\/a> 2023-24 NHL season got away from them. Currently, they have just two games left, both on the road. Tonight it is against the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/category\/rangers\/\" target=\"_self\">New York Rangers<\/a> and tomorrow they wrap up the season with a date against the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/category\/bruins\/\" target=\"_self\">Boston Bruins<\/a>. The end of 2023-24 is a somber one, as it marks the end of Interim Head Coach Jacques Martin&#8217;s second time behind the Sens bench. In referencing the situation, Martin <a href=\"https:\/\/fullpresshockey.com\/2024\/04\/12\/theres-no-shortage-of-offseason-storylines-for-the-ottawa-senators\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">seems to be staying around<\/a> to assist the President of Hockey Operations and General Manager <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/s\/staiost01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-04-15_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Steve Staios<\/a> find the club&#8217;s next head coach.<\/p>\n<h2>Moving on From Jacques Martin for the Ottawa Senators After the 2023-24 Season<\/h2>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">&quot;It&#39;s been great. I&#39;ve enjoyed the opportunity to come back and hopefully help the team to understand what it takes to be in the playoffs, how you need to play on a nightly basis and help the players grow.&quot;<\/p>\n<p>Jacques Martin reflects on his final home game as interim head coach <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/sVA3A8YzC0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/sVA3A8YzC0<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Ottawa Senators (@Senators) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Senators\/status\/1779354724161957907?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">April 14, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>Besides finding a new bench boss, other important members of the staff need a contract. Those names are Assistant Coach <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/a\/alfreda01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-04-15_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Daniel Alfredsson<\/a> and Associate Coach <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/c\/capuaja01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-04-15_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jack Capuano<\/a>. These will be the types of decisions to lay the groundwork for finalizing the roster throughout the summer. Furthermore, there are many solid head coach candidates available. Some examples that come to mind include Todd McClellan, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/g\/grudejo01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-04-15_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">John Gruden<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/k\/kellych01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-04-15_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Chris Kelly<\/a>, among others.<\/p>\n<p>As was previously discussed, the Senators management will have certain times to stay vigilant on new candidates becoming available. At the end of the regular season and also, at the end of the first round of playoffs, likely new candidates will emerge if teams decide to go in another direction. Finally, it was also said previously, that the goal is to have a coach in place by the draft. So, even though there is time, the Sens will need to be efficient in the hiring process.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"wp-embedded-content\" data-secret=\"Ouc9WO89yp\"><p><a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2024\/03\/24\/senators-could-hire-chris-kelly-their-next-head-coach\/\" target=\"_self\">The Senators Could Hire Chris Kelly to be Their Next Head Coach<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-embedded-content\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts\" security=\"restricted\" style=\"position: absolute; visibility: hidden;\" title=\"&#8220;The Senators Could Hire Chris Kelly to be Their Next Head Coach&#8221; &#8212; Last Word On Hockey\" src=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2024\/03\/24\/senators-could-hire-chris-kelly-their-next-head-coach\/embed\/#?secret=hECIrPlEKz#?secret=Ouc9WO89yp\" data-secret=\"Ouc9WO89yp\" width=\"600\" height=\"338\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h3>The Off-Ice Problems for the Sens<\/h3>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">As for the Ottawa Senators 2023-24 season, it was marred with lots of controversy. It started with bright optimism and the prospects new ownership can bring. However, there were a couple too many housekeeping issues to deal with at that time. Whether it was mishandling of the Evgenii Dadonov <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tsn.ca\/nhl\/ottawa-senators-to-forfeit-first-round-pick-as-fallout-from-2021-evgenii-dadonov-trade-1.2029600\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">trade<\/a> or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/p\/pintosh01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-04-15_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Shane Pinto<\/a>&#8216;s 41-game suspension for gambling, issues seemed to keep rearing their ugly head. Moreover, these types of issues culminated in General Manager Pierre Dorion&#8217;s firing. It wasn&#8217;t too much longer, that an unsuccessful on-ice product led to a similar fate for then Head Coach <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/s\/smithdj01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-04-15_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">D.J. Smith<\/a>. In contrast, the off-ice situation did turn around as the season progressed, with many front-office moves, for example adding <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/p\/poulida02.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-04-15_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Dave Poulin<\/a> as senior vice president of hockey operations.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>How the On-Ice Product Was Impacted<\/h3>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The on-ice product is much of the same type of things, from past mistakes and just uncertainty in the team&#8217;s environment. They never had a lot of injuries but missing <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/c\/chaboth01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-04-15_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Thomas Chabot<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/n\/norrijo01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-04-15_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Josh Norris<\/a>, and Shane Pinto does really take a toll. Your top-minute defenceman, and your number two and three centres. In addition, the offseason signing of goaltender <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/k\/korpijo01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-04-15_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Joonas Korpisalo<\/a> never brought the improvements and consistency that were needed. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">In the end, it leaves Ottawa searching for a draft lottery pick from the season. This will not be a bad thing in the long run, but this group was supposed to fight for a playoff spot. That failure has many questioning whether it is time for a retool or a rebuild altogether. Make no mistake, between the head coach search and which direction to take the club, the offseason will be crucial for Steve Staios and his management regime&#8217;s success.<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">The Senators have recalled Zack Ostapchuk for tonight&#39;s game in New York.  Mark Kastelic left the Montreal game on Saturday after being struck in the head by a puck.<\/p>\n<p>&mdash; TSN 1200 Ottawa (@TSN1200) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/TSN1200\/status\/1779875706966618287?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">April 15, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">In terms of the lineup to finish off the campaign, a couple of things to note. Both <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/k\/kastema01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-04-15_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Mark Kastelic<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/s\/stuetti02.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-04-15_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Tim Stutzle<\/a> may be done for the season. Also, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/g\/greigri01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-04-15_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Ridly Greig<\/a> will be a game-time decision tonight with an illness. In positive news, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/o\/ostapza01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-04-15_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Zack Ostapchuk<\/a> has earned a call-up for tonight&#8217;s game, likely to replace Kastelic.<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Ridly Greig is sick this morning and will be a game time decision.<\/p>\n<p>&mdash; TSN 1200 Ottawa (@TSN1200) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/TSN1200\/status\/1779893225102172552?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">April 15, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>Main photo: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Ottawa Senators 2023-24 NHL season got away from them. Currently, they have just two games left, both on the road. Tonight it is against the New York Rangers and tomorrow they wrap up the season with a date against the Boston Bruins. The end of 2023-24 is a somber one, as it marks the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4222,"featured_media":436133,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[8,4547,4548],"tags":[4062,70,4470],"class_list":["post-439801","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-senators","category-hockey","category-nhl","tag-jacques-martin","tag-ottawa-senators","tag-ridly-greig"],"modified_by":"Levi Pike, Editor","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/439801","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4222"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=439801"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/439801\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/436133"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=439801"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=439801"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=439801"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}