Former Blackhawks coach officially lands new job in the NHL

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Sam Walker
December 6, 2023 (2:15 PM)

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The Ottawa Senators have made a surprising addition to their coaching staff by bringing in former Chicago Blackhawks assistant coach Jacques Martin as a senior advisor. This move adds a wealth of experience to the Senators' coaching staff, particularly in the realm of strong defensive strategies.

While the Senators currently boast one of the league's best defensive records, this addition of a seasoned coach like Martin can only enhance their coaching efforts. Martin, with an extensive coaching history, previously won the Jack Adams award in 1998-99 and has been an NHL head coach since 1986.

Martin's coaching journey includes stints with the St. Louis Blues, Ottawa Senators, Florida Panthers, and Montreal Canadiens. Notably, during his tenure in Ottawa, he led the Senators to the Eastern Conference Final, showcasing his ability to bring success to a relatively young expansion franchise.

The intrigue in Martin's appointment for the Senators goes beyond his coaching acumen. With the current Senators coaching staff facing scrutiny, particularly head coach D.J. Smith, Martin's hiring adds an experienced and respected figure who could potentially step in as an interim head coach if needed.

While there's no indication of imminent changes to the coaching structure, the addition of Martin provides the Senators with a contingency plan and a seasoned leader who has a history of getting the best out of his roster.