OTTAWA — The true measure of a coach`s influence becomes apparent over time.
In his first season as head coach of the Ottawa Senators, Travis Green has turned the team around from underachievers to serious playoff contenders. This transformation places him firmly in the running for the Jack Adams Award. While Washington`s Spencer Carbery might be a frontrunner, with other coaches like Jim Montgomery, Dean Evason, and Scott Arniel also being considered, Green`s impact in Ottawa is undeniable.
The Senators` roster is largely unchanged from previous years, yet their style of play is dramatically different. It`s a stark contrast, like comparing Ottawa`s weather in the depths of winter to the height of summer.
This shift is a testament to coaching.
“From the very beginning of training camp, Coach Green emphasized the areas we`ve struggled with in the past,” Drake Batherson mentioned. “We`ve made significant strides in cleaning up those issues, which is a key reason for our current position.”
Historically, Ottawa possessed the offensive firepower to challenge any team, thanks to their young and skilled forwards. However, their defensive play was often disorganized. This season marks a significant turnaround, with Ottawa becoming one of the league`s stronger defensive teams. This improvement was evident in a recent weekend where they conceded just three goals over two games.
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This defensive solidity is precisely what General Manager Steve Staios sought when he appointed Green.
“It’s clear the team culture has evolved,” Staios stated.
Breaking free from a losing mentality is a challenging task. Look at teams like Buffalo and Detroit, who are still searching for a clear path back to playoff contention. In contrast, Ottawa is on the verge of securing a playoff berth this season. Green has instilled a winning culture in Ottawa, primarily through his focus on defensive responsibility.
Consider key players such as Tim Stutzle, Brady Tkachuk, Thomas Chabot, and Batherson. Previously, they ranged from average to weak defensively and didn`t always play a disciplined game.
However, under Green, all these players have shown improved defensive statistics. They`ve each risen to be in the top half of the league in terms of expected goals allowed per game at five-on-five. This defensive improvement has directly translated into wins.
“I’ve learned a great deal from him, especially on the defensive aspects of the game,” Tkachuk commented. “His guidance and teaching have been excellent for the entire team. It`s now easy to see our mistakes when he points them out and understand how to correct them.”
While the players deserve recognition for adapting, Green’s role in this transformation is crucial.
Changing team dynamics and culture takes time. In Ottawa`s first 20 games, they had an 8-11-1 record. While their play showed promise, old habits like surrendering leads and mental errors still surfaced. Yet, the players remained committed to Green`s approach, and he maintained his belief in them. Following a fifth consecutive loss in November, amidst growing negativity and trade rumors surrounding Tkachuk, Green publicly defended his captain.
“To criticize a player for being passionate and wanting to win? It`s baffling,” Green said. “We want all our players to be passionate and driven to win. Questioning someone for that is, frankly, crazy.”
Subsequently, Ottawa embarked on a 10-2-1 stretch, propelling them into a playoff position.
That`s leadership.
Green began building relationships well before the season started. Shortly after his hiring, he traveled to Europe to connect with key players.
“He actually flew all the way to Czechia just to have lunch with Brady, Shane (Pinto), and me,” Jake Sanderson shared. “That was really impressive.”
In today’s NHL, aggressive and overly critical coaching styles are proving less effective. There`s a noticeable shift away from old-school, authoritarian coaches towards modern coaches who prioritize communication and understanding. While Green can be direct in public settings, his approach with players is characterized by patience and consistent dialogue.
“He expected me to develop into a complete, 200-foot player,” Stutzle mentioned on the Coming in Hot podcast. “But he also gave me time. He didn’t expect it to happen overnight in training camp. He emphasized learning and growth.”
Modern players respond best to coaching that is demanding but also respectful.
“He’s a players’ coach,” Sanderson described. “He understands when we need to rest and also when we need a rigorous practice, and he provides both. I appreciate everything he has brought to our team.”
Green has also brought a sense of calm to the team, which had been lacking in previous seasons. This composure is vital for a young team that previously played with inconsistency.
“He does a great job of maintaining an even-keeled environment for everyone,” Shane Pinto noted.
This was evident in Ottawa’s ability to protect leads against Columbus recently. Ottawa boasts a 28-2-1 record when leading after two periods.
Despite his calm demeanor, Green’s speeches are known to be impactful.
“When he speaks, it genuinely motivates me,” Stutzle said on the Coming in Hot Podcast.
Many were skeptical of Staios’ decision to hire Green, given his mixed tenure with the Vancouver Canucks. However, Staios believed in Green’s potential, noting that coaches often improve in their second head coaching roles.
“There were several reasons why I believed he was the right fit,” Staios explained. “He has a unique ability to be demanding and hold players accountable while also building strong relationships and fostering open, honest communication.”
“I found his experience in Vancouver particularly compelling during my search. The composition of the team in Vancouver, particularly in terms of age, was similar to our current situation.”
Improvement comes with experience in any profession.
It`s worth remembering that Green faced challenges in Vancouver with an incomplete roster, yet he still managed to guide them to outperform expectations early in his tenure, including a playoff appearance in 2020.
Before this season, many analysts commented that Ottawa had immense potential if they could just “figure things out.” Under Green, the Senators are doing just that.
Green has not only shaped the Senators into a playoff-caliber team for this season but has also set them on a path to be competitive for years to come. This is why Travis Green deserves serious consideration for the Jack Adams Award.
