Guy Boucher is the new coach

[Alfie11]

Per the Sens website

[Josh]

Wow, I have to say I'm surprised. I didn't think Boucher was really on the radar at all. I don't have much of an opinion on him, whether positive or negative. He's got a winning record so I guess there's that. He's also relatively young for a coach but with a decent body of experience.

[Alfie11]

Wow, I have to say I'm surprised. I didn't think Boucher was really on the radar at all. I don't have much of an opinion on him, whether positive or negative. He's got a winning record so I guess there's that. He's also relatively young for a coach but with a decent body of experience.

Agreed.

He should do a decent job at limiting the shots against, though. And the power play should be improved under him.

Marc Crawford is being hired today as an associate coach, according to TSN. Interesting.

[thedaigle1]

I'm cautiously optimistic. I think Hartley, Crawford, and Carlyle are bullets dodged. Glad Dorion went with an up-and-comer as opposed to the old boys club. Yeo or Dineen would have been on my shortlist with Boucher just to keep the whole thing progressive. CAUTIOUSLY optimistic.

[Alfie11]

I, too, would prefer Boucher/Yeo/Dineen than one of Hartley/Crawford/Carlyle.

Yeo looked like a good candidate from what I read here. Not sure what to think about Boucher/Dineen, really.

[thedaigle1]

Unless something changes with the way the team manages its assets, it doesn't really matter who's behind the bench. It would be nice to have a coach that can make a difference but we also need Dorion to raise the bar. It'll be all or nothing really.

EDIT: Crawford confirmed as ass't. Presser went well enough. GB said all the right things about Karlsson/Hoffman.

[Josh]

Confirmed that Crawford is our new assistant coach.

[Alfie11]

http://www.tsn.ca/sens-want-to-make-it-clear-they-chose-boucher-over-boudreau-1.486386

Really interesting article by Mendes.

Apparently, the Sens actually chose Boucher over Boudreau. They didn't lose out on him. The reports that came out this weekend of the Sens not offering Boudreau a 4 year contract were true. But they were also being discussed with all finalists, and more of contract parameters than actual contract offers. The Sens told Boudreau to go ahead if he has any other options, because the Sens found their guy. Dorion also notes that the Sens did indeed have the resources to hire the best guy available, they just felt like that guy was Boucher.

As for Boucher himself, apparently the Sens met with Boucher a couple of weeks ago for 4 hours. After they were impressed, the second meeting went 8 hours. Dorion says he feels like Boucher was the best fit because he had great solutions to all of the problems the management thinks the Sens had. Also, interestingly enough, Boucher has a degree in sports psychology. Before he became the coach of the Lightning, Boucher met with Stamkos for breakfast and got to know him, learn about him personally and see what it takes to get him motivated. Stamkos responded with a 60 point season.

[Josh]

http://www.tsn.ca/sens-want-to-make-...dreau-1.486386

Really interesting article by Mendes.

Apparently, the Sens actually chose Boucher over Boudreau. They didn't lose out on him. The reports that came out this weekend of the Sens not offering Boudreau a 4 year contract were true. But they were also being discussed with all finalists, and more of contract parameters than actual contract offers. The Sens told Boudreau to go ahead if he has any other options, because the Sens found their guy. Dorion also notes that the Sens did indeed have the resources to hire the best guy available, they just felt like that guy was Boucher.

As for Boucher himself, apparently the Sens met with Boucher a couple of weeks ago for 4 hours. After they were impressed, the second meeting went 8 hours. Dorion says he feels like Boucher was the best fit because he had great solutions to all of the problems the management thinks the Sens had. Also, interestingly enough, Boucher has a degree in sports psychology. Before he became the coach of the Lightning, Boucher met with Stamkos for breakfast and got to know him, learn about him personally and see what it takes to get him motivated. Stamkos responded with a 60 point season.

Actually, it was a 60-goal season! Definitely a great article, thanks for sharing :)

[matchesmalone]

Wow, was I ever excited about these hirings. I had the available coaches ranked:
1. Marc Crawford
2. Bruce Boudreau
3. Guy Boucher
4. Bob Hartley
5. Kevin Dineen

So when Boucher was hired, I was pretty darn happy, but then when it was announced that Crawford was taking on an associate coaching position, I was ecstatic. Between them, they've got an NLA championship, a couple Swiss Cups, a Spengler Cup, a QMJHL championship, a Calder Cup, a Stanley Cup, a Jack Adams...

And yeah, Bocuher knows how to coach superstars, he had Crosby in junior, and coached Mike Hoffman to his QMJHL MVP season. He also coached P.K. Subban in the AHL and of course Stamkos in Tampa. So it will be interesting to see how Karlsson does.

[Josh]

Wow, was I ever excited about these hirings. I had the available coaches ranked:
1. Marc Crawford
2. Bruce Boudreau
3. Guy Boucher
4. Bob Hartley
5. Kevin Dineen

So when Boucher was hired, I was pretty darn happy, but then when it was announced that Crawford was taking on an associate coaching position, I was ecstatic. Between them, they've got an NLA championship, a couple Swiss Cups, a Spengler Cup, a QMJHL championship, a Calder Cup, a Stanley Cup, a Jack Adams...

And yeah, Bocuher knows how to coach superstars, he had Crosby in junior, and coached Mike Hoffman to his QMJHL MVP season. He also coached P.K. Subban in the AHL and of course Stamkos in Tampa. So it will be interesting to see how Karlsson does.

I had a similar list. I went back and forth a bit but I was really hoping for Hartley.. I know a lot of people saw him as too old-school but I think he would have fit great with the team.

A tandem of Boucher and Crawford is just about the most experienced and professional coaching team I've ever seen Ottawa have. If there's still problems after about halfway through the season (gotta' give all parties time to adjust), then we'll need to start looking deeper. At some point you need to start questioning if Melnyk's active handling is interfering, or if there are structural issues behind the problems, such as poor facilities and training staff..

[Josh]

That seemed super-negative. I'm actually pretty optimistic about next season :)