Travis Green breaks silence after being named Senators’ 14th head coach

This season was not a good one for the Ottawa Senators, who finished in second-to-last place in the Atlantic Division and failed to reach the playoffs. Now the offseason is here and the Senators have found their next head coach as Travis Green is the new head coach in Ottawa. Former head coach DJ Smith was fired in December and Jacques Martin served as interim head coach.

Travis Green previously served as interim head coach as he finished the season at the helm of the New Jersey Devils. He is now ready to head to Canada to coach the Senators.

“Players want to know where they stand,” Green said during his introductory news conference Wednesday. “They want to know what is expected of them. It really starts with communicating. … Every winning team has responsibilities within its group. I will push the team in the direction of improving and making it a winner and having winning attributes,” he added. “It’s one thing to be a competent group, it’s another to be a competent and winning group. … That’s part of the conversations I’m going to have with our team, that’s what it takes to win.

Green knows he has his work cut out for him in Ottawa and he’s already thinking about what needs to change. One area of ​​the game he is already interested in is defense.

“You see it a lot with young, talented players, allowing them to understand the level of commitment it takes to play in their zone,” Green said. “…There’s obviously technique, structure, details that are taught, but a lot of it is the mindset. If you want to win, you have to play a 200 foot game.

Travis Green excited to coach in Canada

Hockey is the biggest sport in Canada, and it means so much more there. Travis Green knows the pressure will be on him and he is excited about this new challenge.

“I think it’s a privilege to coach and play in Canada,” Green said. “There is something to be said for winning in Canada. There is pressure and I like that.

The ultimate goal for Green and the Senators will be to create a winning culture and allow the team to consistently qualify for the playoffs. Ottawa general manager Steve Staios thinks Green can make it happen.

“I think as we look at the Stanley Cup Playoffs right now, you can look at a few or a handful of coaches … who were in the exact same position as (Green) right now,” Staios said . “…It’s much deeper than win-loss records.”

Travis Green has a win-loss record of 141-159-35. He was head coach of the Vancouver Canucks from 2017 to 2021, and he led this brief stint at the helm of the Devils at the end of this season.

The Senators are certainly hoping Green’s record improves during his time in Ottawa, but they clearly aren’t worried about him coming in with a losing record. The Senators have found their new head coach and they have confidence in him to do a good job.