If you’re a frustrated Ottawa Senators fan, general manager Pierre Dorion has a message for you.
Hours after the firing of head coach Guy Boucher and the announcement of Marc Crawford as his interim replacement, a lengthy email was delivered to the inboxes of season ticket holders. In it, Dorion reiterated the team’s intentions for the long rebuild ahead and acknowledged how the departure of key veterans Matt Duchene, Ryan Dzingel, and Mark Stone — all of whom were dealt at Monday’s trade deadline — has forced the franchise to adapt.
Player by player, Dorion outlined the various roles of those who remain on the roster, highlighting Jean-Gabriel Pageau, Mark Borowiecki, and Cody Ceci as “hometown guys who will help instill a passion for, and a commitment to the community we love.” He also conveyed plenty of optimism about the prospects coming down the pipeline.
“The talent pool that our veterans now have the opportunity to lead is unprecedented,” wrote Dorion. “In addition to having up to 17 draft picks in the first three rounds of the next three seasons, we now have an NHL Club and development program absolutely brimming with promise.”
Here’s the full email, courtesy of The Athletic‘s Graeme Nichols:
Dorion concluded with an outline of what the organization is looking for in their next head coach — the same points outlined in their earlier press release — and once again expressed his optimism about the future.
“As hard as it can be to say goodbye to our favourite players, I can’t deny how excited I am about our future,” Dorion concluded. “Think of it this way: this rebuild will include veteran leaders, draft picks, depth player and eventual super-stars. Not ‘just prospects.’ They’ll be pivotal in our pursuit for sustained excellence.”
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