Trotz Resigns, Granato Takes Reigns

The Barry Trotz era has ended in Ottawa. The former Stanley Cup Champion and Jack Adams award winner has stepped down as Head Coach of the Ottawa Senators, after an illustrious eight-year career. The decision was reportedly mutal agreement.

Sources close to the team suggest Trotz could take some time away from coaching after the 2022-2023 season. The Dauphin Manitoba native has cited a need to shift his focus on his family. Reports hint Trotz could also consider a career shift into management. Despite it all, a return behind the bench of a different club for the remainder of the 2022-2023 season has not been ruled out. The 60-year old may want one last kick at the can before transitioning away from coaching.

Conversly, Don Granato has signed a 3-year contract to take the reigns as Ottawa’s new bench boss.

Granato takes over as Ottawa is in the midst of an abysmal season. The Senators are midway through year 2 of an aggresive rebuild. Granato, who hails from Downers Grove, Illinois, has zero previous experience as an EHE coach. The former Wisconsin Badger Center's coaching experience includes time at the U.S. National Development Program and American Hockey League.

The confidence in Barry Trotz never waivered from Sens management. The resignation reflects his desire to win a Stanley Cup, in which could be his last season as a coach in the EHE. Trotz concludes his time in the nations capital with an overall regular season record of 632GP-331W-291L-32OTL. He cemented his legacy with a Stanely Cup championship in 2016-2017 and a Jack Adams award in 2020-2021. Other achievenents include a total of 33 Playoff wins, a Presidents Trophy in 2015-2016, and a Lemieux Conference regular season title in 2020-2021.

Senators GM Cole Bates had nothing but good things to say about his fellow Manitoban and now former Coach.

"We are fortunate to have had Barry Trotz as our Coach in Ottawa. During my time here, he was instrumental in leading us within one goal of a Stanley Cup Final. Since then, I've given him very little to work with. His tenure was an absolute success; look no further than his Stanley Cup or Jack Adams award to prove it. We thank Barry for his contributions here and wish him the best in any future endeavours. He desrves another chance to go for a cup. Next time we’re both back in the home province, I hope to connect to chat hockey and share memories over a couple cold ones." Said Bates.

Granato on the other hand, is expected to grow with the Senators nuceleus of young players. His experience working with younger players was a large part of this hire. Senators management sees Granato, much like their team, as a project.

"Don can grow with our core of young players. We share a vision for how to build an orgnization from the ground up. My hope is that this team can improve gradually each year, over the next 3 seasons. I'm confident he is going to embrace this challenge and get the most out of our players." Added Bates.

While instant success is far to be expected, The age of Don Granato begins with an 0-2 record after consecutive losses. As tides continue to turn in Ottawa, the fait of their latest departure Barry Trotz still remains to be seen.