The Ottawa Senators will be a part of the postseason dance, according to new general manager Pierre Dorion.
"Without a doubt, and I know when you work for an organization you're biased about your players because you drafted a lot of them and you've made a trade for a few of them," Dorion told Postmedia's Bruce Garrioch. "But, for sure, there's no doubt in my mind that I think we're a playoff team."
It's been a busy offseason for Dorion, who took over the post in early April from outgoing GM Bryan Murray.
Dorion, 44, has been with the Ottawa organization since 2007, holding different roles over that time, including amateur scout, director of player personnel and, most recently, assistant general manager.
The new manager has not been shy about making bold moves. Last month, the Senators acquired center Derick Brassard from the New York Rangers for young pivot Mika Zibanejad. The 28-year-old Brassard is from nearby Hull, Quebec.
"You look at the personnel, the coaching, and the improvement of the 20 guys we're going to put on the ice from where we finished last year to where we are now and I really feel this is a playoff team."
Dorion has his work cut out for him, as the Senators have missed the playoffs two of the last three years, with just one series win since the team advanced to the Stanley Cup Finals in 2007.
| Season | Record | Points | Playoffs |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015-16 | 38-35-9 | 85 | Missed |
| 2014-15 | 43-26-13 | 99 | Lost in Round 1 |
| 2013-14 | 37-31-14 | 88 | Missed |
Among the other roster moves, the team dealt winger Alex Chiasson to the Calgary Flames for young defenseman Patrick Sieloff, signed free-agent center and former Senator Chris Kelly, while longtime blue-liner Chris Phillips announced his retirement.
The Senators also brought in Guy Boucher as their new head coach. Boucher last coached in the NHL in 2013 as the bench boss of the Tampa Bay Lightning.
