MAJOR: Patrick Roy Emerges as a Contender for NHL Coaching Job

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Pat Quinn
November 7, 2023 (9:26)

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There are rumours that the Ottawa Senators may move on from head coach DJ Smith if the Senators keep up the teams losing ways. The Senators have a 4-6-0 record after 10 games, when many expected the team to be fighting for a playoff spot and not in the basement of the Atlantic division.

Elliott Friedman's "32 Thoughts" Podcast discussion on Ottawa Senators head coaching position

In the latest "32 Thoughts" podcast with Elliotte Friedman and Jeff Marek, the two discussed the Ottawa Senators for a time. The Senators came in to new ownership earlier in the season, and there has already been multiple changes in management.

Including, long-time Senators GM Pierre Dorion resigning due to his mishandling of the Evgeni Dadonov trade by not informing the Vegas Golden Knights of Dadonov's no trade clause. That punishment cost Ottawa a first round pick, in the next three years, and Dorion the position he held for seven seasons.

Friedman had this to say about the Ottawa Senators:

"I don't know what Steve Staios [the president of hockey operations] and Michael Andlauer [the owner] think of Patrick Roy, but one of the investor groups was ready to appoint Patrick Roy as head coach. That's the decision they would have made had they taken control of the team"

Patrick Roy could potentially succeed current head coach DJ Smith

If the Senators keep losing it could cost DJ Smith his job. He likely has a longer leash than initially thought once the new owner took over as Ottawa is dealing with injuries on defense, a top forward suspended half the season, and salary cap issues.

If Smith is to be let go then the smart money would be on Patrick Roy to take the reigns, especially as his name has been out there for some long.

Roy was spotted in Kanata today:

As Read On Hockey Unplugged - BREAKING: Patrick Roy Has Been Named A Possible Candidate For NHL Coaching position