Sens Finally Make Cameron Hire Official, Reeds Too

After a week of letting the cat out of the bag a bit early, Dave Cameron has officially been named as an assistant coach by the Ottawa Senators today. He is also joined by Mark Reeds, who was the head coach of Owen Sound in the OHL. Ironically, they faced each other just a month ago in the OHL final and the Memorial Cup. Rick Wamsley and Luke Richardson will stay on as well to complete the coaching staff.

At least Steve Simmons seems to think we have a good staff and gave us his approval, whatever that's worth. Interesting to note that Bruce Garrioch mentioned that Cameron and MacLean are friends, so that should put to bed any of the rumors that MacLean was forced into hiring Cameron by Melnyk. Though I'm sure the Euge highly suggested it still. Paul MacLean doesn't strike me as a man who's forced to do anything he doesn't want to.

Thoughts on the hires?

Memorial Cup Final Has Many Sens Twists

Sens and Mississauga owner Eugene Melnyk at Memorial Cup press conference

The final game of the junior hockey season is tonight, as the Memorial Cup Final has the Saint John Sea Dogs taking on the Mississauga St Michael's Majors at the Hershey Centre (7pm on sportsnet). Now you may be asking yourself, why are you writing about junior hockey, it has nothing to do with the Sens. If you thought that, how wrong you are. There are several Sens related storylines featured in the final, observe.

-First off, the tournament is hosted by Sens owner Eugene Melnyk, who of course owns the Mississauga St Michael's Majors. So not only is the host, but his team is also in the final.

-Second of all, many Sens fans (msyelf inculded) are dreaming of a scenario in which Jonathan Huberdeau ends up in an Ottawa jersey come draft day. His very strong play in the playoffs is making that less likely by the minute, but still worth a watch to see the Sea Dog lace em up. If that wasn't enough, Saint John also has 9 players, yes 9 players ranked in the top 60 of North America's top skaters for June's draft. So this is must see TV for all you draft geeks out there. There's a decent possibility one of them maybe be our property with our second first round pick, or one of our 2nd round picks.

-And thirdly, Mississauga coach Dave Cameron appears to be a front runner for the head coaching vacancy in Ottawa. I don't really approve, and from what I've heard, neither do most Sens fans, but Melnyks comments recently suggest it will likely be Cameron behind the bench. You'd have to think it's almost a sure thing if he manages to win tonight.

So there are your Sens related storylines for the final tonight. Tune in to watch since hockey is almost done for the year.

Thoughts?

Melnyk Doesn't Understand What A Poker Face Is

These were The Euge's comments from an interview during the 1st intermission of the Memorial Cup Semi Final last night. It was a game that his team ended up winning, and I can just see a potential CHL championship as the crappy excuse used to justify his hiring. Are we really supposed to believe that Melnyk, a guy who pays MILLIONS and MILLIONS of dollars a year to operate the team, isn't going to get the guy he just publicly said he wanted? Poker face Eugene, poker face.

Thoughts on the likelihood of Cameron becoming our new coach?

Dave Cameron Comments

There have been rumors for awhile that Mississauga head coach Dave Cameron may be the next head coach of the Ottawa Senators. He was in the gossip for numerous reasons, especially because he worked for the B-Sens before and because The Euge owns the Mississauga team. Well up until now we haven't heard from him, but now we have, and it sure seems to me that he is making a push to be the next one in charge in the capital.

Taken from a post on Puck Daddy, Cameron goes on to say he would love to be in the NHL and it seems to me he is angling to be behind the bench here next season. For the time being, he is trying to win the Memorial Cup, which starts May 20th and is in Mississauga.

On a personal note, I don't think that Cameron is the solution to our coaching woes. There's a world of difference between the OHL and NHL, and I'd prefer to have someone not already in Melnyk's pocket.

Thoughts on Cameron's comments?