Sens to evaluate Boucher's future, hope to extend Duchene
Ottawa Senators general manager Pierre Dorion shed some light on his club's offseason plans Friday morning.
Speaking on a conference call with season-ticket holders, Dorion addressed how the organization intends to make up for a disastrous season that's fallen dramatically short of expectations. In doing so, Dorion revealed one item on the agenda will be an evaluation of head coach Guy Boucher's future, per Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun.
Boucher joined the Senators in 2016 on a three-year contract, becoming their fifth coach since 2008. His first year on the job was a tremendous success, as his defensive game plan carried the Senators to Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Final.
Season two, however, has produced starkly contrasting results, as the Senators currently sit 28th in league standings.
Whether Boucher stays behind the bench for the final year of his deal remains to be seen, but Dorion made it clear things can't be the same in 2018-19.
Dorion. “There’s going to be changes next year. This is unacceptable. There’s a plan in place”
— John Rodenburg (@TSNJR) March 23, 2018
In terms of on-ice personnel, Dorion said the club is planning to meet with Matt Duchene's camp and get him signed to an extension once he's eligible to do so July 1.
Duchene joined the Senators in the blockbuster three-way deal that also sent Kyle Turris to the Nashville Predators in November, and after a slow start, has shown his offensive capabilities with a team-leading 34 points in 36 games since Jan. 1.
The 27-year-old has one more season on his current contract that pays $6 million annually, and is one of four key Senators players who will be negotiating new deals this summer, including Erik Karlsson - also eligible for an extension July 1 - as well as restricted free agents Mark Stone and Cody Ceci.