Although the Ottawa Senators have only appointed Jacques Martin as their interim head coach, it’s likely he’ll be filling the role for the rest of the 2023-24 season.
“The word out that’s being used around the league is ‘likely’ — that he’s likely going to coach the rest of the season,” said Elliotte Friedman during the Saturday Headlines segment on Hockey Night in Canada. “I don’t think it’s necessarily a guarantee… things change, but I believe that’s kind of the way the Senators are looking at this right now that he will finish the year.”
Martin replaced previous head coach D.J. Smith, who was fired by the Senators on Monday. Martin had originally joined Smith’s staff as a senior advisor after serving as the team’s head coach from 1996-2004. During that time, the 71-year-old guided Ottawa to eight straight playoff appearances.
“I think (the Senators) feel that some of the coaches that currently have jobs elsewhere, they won’t necessarily get permission in-season to talk to them,” added Friedman. “And so I think it’s more likely than not that Martin finishes the season as the coach of the Senators.”
The Senators, 11-17-0 on the season, entered Saturday’s contest against the Pittsburgh Penguins having lost their last six straight.
