The Athletic: Patrick Roy, a potential Ottawa GM in the eyes of a journalist

For the 5430th consecutive year, the Senators have failed to meet expectations.

I may be exaggerating a little, but hey. We’ve been waiting a long time in Ottawa to see the club succeed on a regular basis, and it hasn’t happened yet.

Why hasn’t it happened yet? That’s the question.

The Senators have a good club led by several excellent players, but they’re not able to reach the level we’re hoping for.

Is it the organization’s culture? Is it D.J. Smith?

The Senators are looking for a new GM after firing Pierre Dorion. Steve Staios is currently acting GM, but he is also the club’s president of hockey operations.

Could a guy like Patrick Roy help the Sens as GM?

We’ve discussed the scenario in the past, and Ian Mendes (The Athletic) explains why the former goaltender’s name is on his list of 10 candidates to consider for the GM position in Ottawa:

Roy would bring a feisty, competitive, winning mentality to the Senators’ front office, and the Hall of Fame goalie would certainly change the organization’s culture with a snap of his fingers. – Ian Mendes

In his article, Ian Mendes also mentions Mathieu Darche, Peter Chiarelli, Ryan Bowness, Martin Madden, Ross Mahoney, Pat Morris, John Sedgwick, Eric Tulsky and Jason Spezza.

Patrick Roy was at the Hockey Hall of Fame induction ceremony about two weeks ago and said he expects to have a quiet winter.

He may say that, “Casseau”, but I find it hard to imagine that he won’t be listening if his phone starts ringing.

He doesn’t say it out loud, but we know how much he’d like the chance to return to the National League, after all.

Things are bad in Ottawa, and keeping all the pieces in place isn’t going to miraculously fix them.

A change has to be made to stir things up a bit. And right now, the Sens need to ask themselves whether that means a change of coach or the hiring of a general manager.

They have to try something, at least. And Roy may be just the guy to do it, in the sense that he’s used to working with young players because of his QMJHL experience.

In gusto

– Well done.

Tribute to Karl Tremblay at Laraque & Gonzalez earlier today. pic.twitter.com/Z8DAgnU9tE

– BPM Sports (@BPMSportsRadio) December 1, 2023

– Monty has the support of his chums.

Nick Suzuki & Arber Xhekaj congratulating Sam “Snacks” Montembeault on his new contract extension with the Habs pic.twitter.com/ycH1rRiAp8

– /r/Habs (@HabsOnReddit) December 1, 2023

– Heavy loss for the Kraken.

– If Randle is out, the Raptors will have to take advantage.