Thoughts on Jack Capuano's Situation
For teams out of the playoff picture awaiting the start of the offseason, these days can drag on. Any news, big or small, concerning your favourite team tends to stick in the news cycle longer than it probably should.
Enter the Jack Capuano controversy.
Capuano has seven years of experience as a head coach in the NHL, but his last season helming the bench was the 2016-17 season with the New York Islanders. Since that time, he had spent two years with the Florida Panthers working as an associate coach before joining D.J. Smith and the Senators as an associate coach for the last two seasons.
After a modestly impressive stint leading the American entry in the 2021 World Championships, Capuano garnered enough interest in his body of work to have the Buffalo Sabres asked the Ottawa Senators for their permission to interview their associate coach for their head coaching position.
The Senators denied that request.
Elliotte Friedman had more from his latest ‘31 Thoughts’ column:
8. I think the Sabres give Don Granato an indication soon as to what they’re thinking. The Worcester Telegram & Gazette’s Joe McDonald reported the Sabres asked permission to speak to Jack Capuano after a successful World Championships run, but Ottawa denied the request. This is true — there are hard feelings about it, and it could get messy between Capuano and the Senators. He does not back down from a challenge. It is consistent with Ottawa’s history, however. My feelings on the issue: I disagree with standing in the way of an external promotion unless an internal one is guaranteed.
Capuano is under contract with the Senators and as such, they are under no obligation to allow their employee to interview for external positions. Denying these requests is not something that is exclusive to the Senators. Other organizations deny these opportunities frequently enough to ask the question, “Well, what’s the big deal here then?”
Allowing opportunity for upward mobility is often an unspoken rule when it comes to allowing coaches or front office employees to interview for a promotion elsewhere.
What is interesting is this new information that the Senators habitually deny these requests. As well within their rights are they to do this, it is an odd practice to uphold.
There are a finite number of jobs in the NHL, but working under Eugene Melnyk isn’t an enviable position to be in. The coaching staff often bears the brunt of the blame whenever this organization falls short of its owner’s expectations. Ottawa’s front office staff and coaches are relatively inexpensive when compared to their peers. This wrinkle is just another strike that will give good candidates pause when considering whether or not they want to work for the Ottawa Senators.
And for what?
Nothing against Jack Capuano, but he is replaceable. I don’t buy the argument that the Sabres could simply interview a division rival’s employee to poach ideas and information like the Senators have closely guarded state secrets worth protecting.
Kevyn Adams isn’t going to be sitting across the table from Capuano furiously scribbling down notes on how not to overpay for intangibles or play redundant vets like Erik Gudbranson or Braydon Coburn less (or at all). Although it is hilarious to envision Buffalo’s general manager writing ‘GET SAVES’ in big block writing on a notepad.
Even if the Senators allowed Capuano to interview for the position, would he even be considered a strong favourite for the position?
He certainly would not be a slamdunk candidate, so in knowing that, it seems shortsighted to risk discord within the coaching staff. Keep in mind, D.J. Smith spearheaded efforts just last year to get the league involved to ensure that his staff got paid after ownership slashed the salaries of all club staff by half.
Friedman mentioned that Capuano has hard feelings about it, so you have to wonder whether it will have a lingering effect that could potentially disrupt morale.
Capuano’s a professional, so I’d doubt he would allow that to happen, but it’s hard not to have empathy for an individual who is missing out on an opportunity to land a head coaching gig and earn more money.
Other News and Notes:
The Senators announced the signing of goaltending prospect Leevi Merilainen to a three-year entry-level contract on Monday. Once Filip Gustavsson signs a new deal, Merilainen’s ELC means the Senators will have seven goaltenders under contract. The organization has done a nice job of stockpiling depth and talent at that position.
Chris Stevenson writes that Troy Mann’s contract expires at the end of the month. CJ believes that the two parties are believed to be working towards a new agreement.
Having called out the Senators for not doing enough at times, the organization deserves a lot of credit for their recent efforts. Not only has it done well to honour frontline workers, but in a really classy gesture, Pierre Dorion and Brady Tkachuk have spoken to Senators fan Derek Lee. If you are active on social media, you have probably seen the shared stories about Derek and the unfortunate medical challenges that his young daughter has had to endure.