Ottawa Senators Overhaul Penalty Kill Coaching Amid Struggles
In a significant mid-season adjustment, Ottawa Senators head coach Travis Green has implemented a coaching change specifically targeting the team's underperforming penalty kill units. The decision comes as the Senators prepare for their Saturday night matchup against the Carolina Hurricanes at Canadian Tire Centre.
New Voice Takes Over Special Teams
Green confirmed to reporters that assistant coach Mike Yeo will assume the role of "lead voice" for the Senators' penalty kill, taking over responsibilities previously held by assistant coach Nolan Baumgartner. Baumgartner will continue to collaborate on special teams while maintaining his focus on the team's defensive corps.
"Mike Yeo is going to be the voice of our penalty kill now," Green stated definitively. "Baumer will still collaborate with it. That's not a knock against Baumer. He's an excellent coach, and he's done a great job with our defencemen."
Statistical Struggles Prompt Change
The coaching adjustment comes at a critical juncture for the Senators, who currently rank 31st in the NHL in penalty killing efficiency at just 71.7 percent. With only 32 games remaining in the regular season and the club sitting seven points out of playoff contention, Green felt immediate action was necessary.
"There has been a lot of talk about our kill," Green acknowledged. "The penalty kill hasn't gone the way we've wanted. That's not just on him. Ultimately, the players have to get the job done, and a new voice might give a spark and a different look, get a different voice."
Collaborative Approach Maintained
Despite the change in leadership for the penalty kill units, Green emphasized that this represents an evolution rather than a complete overhaul. The head coach stressed that the move doesn't signal wholesale changes to the team's approach but rather introduces fresh perspective to a struggling aspect of their game.
"It's not going to be wholesale changes, either," Green clarified. "We've got some young penalty killers that are a work in progress, but we've got to right the ship. This isn't just a one-man show in any of our areas."
Timing and Rationale
When questioned about the timing of the decision, Green pointed to both statistical realities and psychological factors. "There's been a lot of learning with our group," he explained. "I have seen improvement in our penalty kill. We haven't got the results, but I've liked a lot of what we've seen."
The coach further elaborated on the decision-making process, noting that external attention on the team's penalty killing struggles influenced the timing. "I know there's also been a lot of talk, and players get asked about it," Green said. "We felt like maybe a different voice will just be a different sounding board, and Mike's done it a long time as well."
Looking Forward
Green maintained that while coaching adjustments can provide new perspectives, ultimate responsibility rests with the players on the ice. "There have been some goals that we haven't liked," he admitted. "That goes back on the players when there's a blown coverage, and the guy doesn't make the right play."
The Senators' coaching staff will continue their collaborative approach as they implement this change, hoping that Yeo's experience and fresh perspective can help elevate the team's penalty killing performance during the crucial final stretch of the season.
