Senators Solidify Coaching Staff with Yeo, Baumgartner and Alfie; Mathieu Joseph on the Block?

After weeks of rumours following the hiring of Travis Green, the Senators officially rounded out their coaching staff yesterday.

In an afternoon press release, the Senators announced they had brought in Mike Yeo and Nolan Baumgartner as assistant coaches. Daniel Alfredsson and Ben Sexton were brought back as assistant coaches while Justin Peters will return as the goaltending coach. Video coach Mike King and senior advisor Jacques Martin will also return in their respective roles.

Gone is associate coach Jack Capuano, who had spent the past four seasons with the organization.

Here is what general manager Steve Staios had to say about the additions within the press release:

“We’re pleased to welcome both Nolan and Mike as new members of the Senators’ organization. In addition to Daniel, Ben, Justin and Mike’s respective return, we’re confident that this coaching staff represents a strong blend of experience and one that will provide Travis with high-level support while they collectively lead our team going forward.” - Steve Staios, President of Hockey Operation and GM

As with any new head coach hire, it was anticipated that Green would bring in individuals with whom he had previous working experience. He and Baumgartner spent four and a half seasons together in Vancouver before both were fired during the middle of the 2021-22 season. They also spent another four seasons before that working together for the Canucks’ AHL affiliate in Utica.

Ironically, Mike Yeo was tabbed as a replacement joining the Canucks organization for the beginning of the 2022-23 season where he worked under Bruce Boudreau. Yeo has been a coach in the NHL since he was promoted from the AHL during the 2005-06 season. He brings 18 seasons of NHL experience to the Senators’ bench — eight of which were spent as a head coach. His last season as a head coach was the 2018-19 season when he led the St. Louis Blues. Yeo was an assistant coach of the Pittsburgh Penguins when they won the Stanley Cup in 2009.

Baumgartner’s addition should allow the organization to have one coach to focus specifically on the defencemen. The Senators have not had this in quite some time and considering how porous Ottawa’s defensive play has been, having someone in this role is welcomed. Granted, the onus is on the coaching staff to get more out of its players. There is certainly some talent on the blue line, but the struggles of the Senators within their defensive end have short-changed this team’s true talent level. These struggles are the product of practical execution, philosophy, and the ability to read plays and adapt. A shakeup of the coaching staff is one way to resolve some problems, but it would be a shock to see the organization return the same group of defenders.

What is a surprise is that Daniel Alfredsson is returning to the fold as an assistant. I mean, Travis Green was never going to tell Alfie he could not be part of this had Alfie expressed an interest in returning. It is obvious he relishes his time around the next generation of players and enjoys spending time with them on the ice working on skill development. I always assumed that he joined the Senators’ coaching staff under Jacques Martin last season as a way to serve as a buffer between the head coach and players. As a well-respected leader, franchise icon and Hall of Famer, I presumed his involvement could help soothe the message and lend credence to the hard lessons that this group needed to hear.

Once that message resonated and took on some momentum, I figured that he would slide back into a player development role — simply because that role comes without the day-to-day analysis that teams are subjected to throughout a season. I just find it difficult to believe that Alfie would put himself in a position of criticism that could ultimately cost him his job.

If other prospective hires would be better or more experienced for the role or the team does not have success, would the franchise allow him to carry on in that capacity —potentially to the detriment of the club? It could also create a potentially awkward talking point down the line when the post-game callers and media start suggesting him as a viable head coach alternative.

It is a weird dynamic to consider simply because of Alfie’s legacy. He has always enjoyed success, so I think for many, it would be weird to see him struggle or be put in a position where he could be fired. At the same time, he has been such a pillar in this city and with this franchise, I have a hard time believing that it would significantly impact his legacy.

As easy as it is to get caught up in the hypotheticals of what failure could bring, there is also the possibility Alfie could thrive in the role. At the very least, we have to admire and respect his courage and willingness to expose himself to failure and criticism.

Joseph on the Block?

According to Postmedia’s Bruce Garrioch, the Senators are looking to move Mathieu Joseph ahead of the 2024 NHL Draft later this month.

Joseph has two years left on his contract which carries an average annual value of $2.95 million. He will make $3.3 million in real dollars in each of these years.

To see Joseph on the block is not much of a surprise. If the Senators aggressively look to add a defenceman on the free agent market to bolster their right side, the money has to come from somewhere. Moving Joseph’s salary can help accommodate that type of move.

Joseph started the 2023-24 season strongly recording four goals and 15 points in his first 16 games. He only registered seven goals and 20 points over his last 56 games.

As HockeyViz outlines, Joseph does provide some value defensively and on the penalty kill.

He has historically been one of Ottawa’s better defensive forwards since joining the Senators, but he is a slasher on the offensive end.

In a lot of ways, he is reminiscent of Alex Formenton. Everything he creates offensively is from his speed and rush chances — which, in turn, leads to a lot of one-and-done chances. There is not a ton of sustained pressure, shots and chances when Joseph is on the ice.

It would make sense for the Senators to clear Joseph’s salary off the deck, acquire draft picks or prospects, reallocate his money towards a right defenceman like Chris Tanev and then replace Joseph with an inexpensive internal option like Angus Crookshank.

There could also be a scenario where the Senators wind up drafting a forward with the seventh overall pick like Tij Iginla. In one year, the left side of the Senators’ forward depth chart could read something like Brady Tkachuk, Iginla, Crookshank or even Ridly Greig if Josh Norris returns to health.