Senators GM: If Boucher returns, he'll have to make 2 changes to his style
After a disappointing 67-point season, changes could be coming in Canada's capital.
The Ottawa Senators will likely make a decision about head coach Guy Boucher's future with the club after the draft lottery April 28, general manager Pierre Dorion said at his end-of-season press conference Thursday, according to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman.
If Boucher is back behind the Senators' bench, he'll have to change two parts of his coaching style.
Dorion adds that if Boucher is back, they will ask for two changes: 1) implementation of younger players in the lineup and 2) more practice. Says if he hears “rest is a weapon,” he will go crazy
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) April 12, 2018
The Sens took their time bringing along some of their younger players. For example, 21-year-old Colin White - who dominated the 2017 world juniors - received less ice time than Tom Pyatt, and just a tick more than Alex Burrows. Meanwhile, Thomas Chabot - the team's future on the back end - and veteran castoff Johnny Oduya played nearly identical minutes.
Dorion, unsurprisingly, thinks highly of Chabot.
"We think Thomas Chabot can be a star in this league. We think he's just scratching the surface," Dorion said, according to Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun.
But if Boucher isn't willing to give Chabot - and the Senators' other young players - a role that can maximize development, it's clear Dorion will find someone who will.