MacLean Introduction Video

Sure it's only been a few hours since Paul MacLean has been on the clock technically, but I have to admit, I do love his attitude and the way he carries himself. He definitely seems to be very confident and sure of himself, and has good idea of what he wants to do. He certainly talks the talk, and his past resume would indicate that he will be able to walk the walk, which is important. He also seems to have a clear vision of what he wants to get done and that mustache, I mean what else can you say. It's a beauty!

Your thoughts on the first impression of the new skipper?

BREAKING NEWS: MacLean Is In As New Sens Coach

New Senators head coach Paul MacLean

I told you a few days ago that the Sens may name a coach on Monday, and today word has leaked out of TSN that Paul MacLean will be named head coach of the Ottawa Senators tomorrow. I have also heard that they are negotiating with Kurt Kleinendorst to be an assistant and that he will likely be joining the coaching staff as well in the next few days.

MacLean, who will be joining us from the Detroit Red Wings, seems to be an excellent choice and I definitely approve from everything I've heard and read about the guy. Having someone like that and Kleinendorst as an assistant is very solid in my opinion and will give many of the young Bingo players some continuity as they progress in their careers.

I have to admit, another job well done by BM the GM.

Are you happy with the selection of our new coach? At least is itsn't Dave Cameron right.

Photo Diary: Twitterverse's Reaction To Murray's Extension

Bryan Murray contemplating if he should sign Simon Gagne or Alex Tangua this offseason

I had been hearing from people in the know that Bryan Murray would be returning as GM for quite some time. No doubt about it I was told, they'd be shocked it it didn't happen. I was of the same feeling, so once the announcement became official on Friday, I knew the fun of twitter would be coming in fast. So I decided to save some of the best tweets from the interwebs to share for your comedic enjoyment. So fasten your seatbelts.

And we're off, an excellent entry from Yahoo's Puck Daddy. It's simple and to the point, and pretty much sums up most people's feelings when they heard the news. The Ottawa Senators, the NHL's punch line.

I'm going to have to give this a vigorous co-sign, but crazier things have happened, you know like not making a Stanley Cup Final in 44 years and counting, or being only 1 of 2 teams not to make the playoffs sicne the lockout, the other being the hockey hotbed of Florida. I like the guys at PPP actually, well for Leaf fans, but I can't say I'm surpirsed they used "we" for re-electing George Bush. Toronto always tries to be an American city don't they? Don't worry Tdot, Joffrey Lupol will have new lost phone tales to keep you excited next year when you don't make the playoffs for a SEVENTH straight season. Brian Burke, savior!

Ah le mot juste.

I'm going to have to agree with Erin on this one. It just doesn't make sense to leave the man who caused the screw up to be left in charge to fix it does it? How many chances does one guy get? The extensions of aging guys for too much term and money, the multiple coaching changes, the NTC's etc etc. It was time to cut the cord and begin anew. So of course we stayed the course, status quo rarely wins the race.

The Murray re-up came on the heels of the Leafs being eliminated from playoff contention for the SIXTH straight year, so understandably, Leafs Nation were looking for a distraction. The Senators organization was more than happy to oblige.

God I hate it so much that he is right. For the most part, the reaction wasn't very positive from everything I've witnessed since the re-signing. Most people are having trouble stomaching more BM the GM.

This was almost funny, but sort of felt like it was trying too hard. Though the point he was making is somewhat valid. Both seem impossible, yet here we are. Ladies and gentleman, your Ottawa Senators.



This had great potential until he PC'd it up with the crazypants instead of a swear. To be fair, I think the Euge may be the craziest owner in the NHL. At least Wang isn't Canadian and is in a market where no one cares about his moves, so they seem less crazy to me based on that alone. Hard to make "crazy" decisions when they have no impact on your city. Hell the 67's draw as many fans as Long Island. 

Damn it, now Habs fans are chriping us too. Searching for comeback.....



This was of course written before the coaching staff was let go on Saturday evening. Thank god Carvel wasn't allowed to survive yet another coaching change. I've been calling for his firing for quite awhile if you're a regular you'll remember. I even heard some people speculating he may have been a head coach candidate at one point. I think this proves otherwise - praise Alfie!



The angry banana herself blesses us for a 2nd time, but this go round she chimes in with a solid joke courtesy of the monster's tears. I have to admit I was somewhat curious to see what it would have been like with Pierre in charge, for a week at least before I'd become annoyed no doubt. I suppose the choice was made between bad choice and worse choice, though i'm not sure which is which still.

Ok this one is both mean spirited, and at the same time spot on and hilarious.



Hiyooooooooooo! It is an apt statement however, but Brian Burke has also been there quite awhile, but neither compare at all to the Rhode Scholar of the NHL, Glen Sather.

Right on cue, you can always count on the long term miantsream media to come in with a fresh, edgy joke can't ya? What, no Doc Brown/DeLorean joke? Stick to your day job Steve, actually scratch that, please don't. Why these boring dinosaurs are allowed to continuously write for major media outlets is beyond me.



And we end with a tweet that wasn't funny but was bang on from Sens beat writer James Gordon. I've been saying all along that no way was Bryan Murray being fired and Gordon nailed it. If that was the case you don't let him make the moves he was allowed to make once things turned sour. Melnyk was just buying time to cushion the blow, so we had time to let it soak in.

For whatever reason, the Euge has a hard on for Murray and from everyone in the know I talked to leading up this, no one was at all surprised that he was extended. It was more of a matter of when, not if. Let's just all hope it works out and we're back to our usual standard of play very soon.

Thoughts on the Murray reactions?

Cory Clouston.....You're Fired



Former Sens Coach Cory Clouston with GM Bryan Murray in happier times

Possibly the worst secret in hockey was finally fufilled this evening, as Cory Clouston was relieved of his duties as head coach of the Senators. Someone had to be pay and be accountable for this trainwreck of a season, and it wasn't going to be GM Bryan Murray, who has now gone through 3 coaches in 4 seasons with him as GM, hardly a spectacular record, but with a fresh 3 year deal in hand somehow.
Yet for some reason, he manages to keep his job and is even re-upped, while Clouston and the rest of the coaching stuff are on the unemployment line as of today. Also fired were assistants Brad Lauer and Greg Carvel, who finally met his demise after outlasting several head coaches.

In many ways I feel Triple C didn't deserve this fate, but it seems that BM the GM has carte blanche, and someone had to pay. So Cory, off with his head!

Best of luck to Cory Clouston in the future, I'm sure the good people at Le Chateau and Mexx will be moruning your departure and massive business you gave them with your awesome shirt and tie combos.

Thoughts on the firings?