Luke Richardson leaves Senators to pursue NHL coaching job

The Ottawa Senators announced Monday that Luke Richardson, the head coach of the AHL's Binghamton Senators, is leaving the organization to pursue a new opportunity.

Richardson, who has both played and served as an assistant coach with Ottawa, leaves after general manager Pierre Dorion informed him he was not in consideration for the team's vacant head coaching position.

"We have a list of candidates with our credentials - and you're not on it," Richardson said he was told, according to TSN's Ian Mendes. The 47-year-old, who was in the mix for the Buffalo Sabres job eventually given to Dan Bylsma last year, is hoping he can find a similar opportunity soon.

"My aspirations are to be a head coach in the NHL and nothing else," Richardson said.

The Ottawa native led Binghamton to a pair of postseason appearances, most recently in 2014. This season, his team finished last in the North Division with a 31-38-6 record.