(UPDATE 1:01 PM)- TSN’s Bob McKenzie has indicated that the Ottawa Senators are in the final stages of making Paul Maclean their next head coach. An announcement is expected at some point tomorrow.
Bryan Murray has hired a coach on my birthday (and Jason Spezza’s birthday) before. It was just a few years ago, on June 13th, that Murray hired Craig Hartsburg. Seemed like a good birthday present at the time but we all know how that hire ended up.
If Maclean is indeed Murray’s guy, there is a chance he holds off until the Finals are over to make the announcement. There is nothing that says you can’t make a move like this while the Stanley Cup is being played but teams often decided to wait.
As I mentioned late last night, still no 100% confirmation that Maclean is the guy but it sure looks that way. An email from one contact last night suggested that McKenzie was bang and Maclean will indeed be the next bench boss. McKenzie predicted on Twitter last night that the former Wings assistant ends up in Ottawa while MacTavish gets the top job in Minnesota.
Plenty of people asking about who the assistants might be in Ottawa and the names of both Kleinendorst and Cameron have been bounced around. While I think they would both be fine candidates for the job I think it’s important that the decision rest with whoever they go with as a head coach.
Will update this post if I track down anything new on the coach.
- On a different note, I’ve been told that the NHL schedule is nearing completion and should be released in the near future. While it is still in draft form, the Senators apparently play their home opener against the Minnesota Wild. Calder Cup rematch, I suppose?
- The second episode of Senate Reform is now available. You can find it under the highlights tab on the home page.
