Despite their considerable struggles as of late, the Senators will not be making a coaching change, GM Pierre Dorion told reporters at a press conference in advance of tonight’s game against the Rangers. He did, however, acknowledge that he has been actively speaking to other teams in recent days, estimating that he has talked with 27 or 28 teams over the past 72 hours, via Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic (Twitter link).
Naturally, the discussion also included defenseman Erik Karlsson. Speculation around him has grown in recent days, especially when it was made public that the team had asked for him to provide the teams for his no-trade clause (something they asked all of their other players with some form of no-trade protection). Dorion stated (quotes via TSN’s Ian Mendes, both Twitter links) that their preference is to keep the blueliner around for another ten years but that with the streak they’re in, they have to look at everything. While his comments should quash the coaching talk for the time being, the trade speculation is sure to continue for the foreseeable future.
Also from Ottawa:
- Former Senators winger Chris Neil will be suiting up in Ottawa’s upcoming alumni game in advance of the outdoor game on Saturday but has already ruled out joining a team later on this season, he told Postmedia’s Ken Warren. Neil acknowledged that the Canadiens had offered him a tryout back in training camp as well as at least one other offer. That other offer wasn’t from Ottawa and Neil has said that he believes that head coach Guy Boucher – who used him in a lesser role than he was accustomed to – played a big role in him being let go. While he hasn’t officially retired, it will be hard to imagine Neil catching on with another team for 2018-19 after sitting out an entire season.