OTTAWA -- On Tuesday night, Ottawa Senators general manager Pierre Dorion conducted a town hall meeting with season ticket holders to address questions and concerns they had regarding the franchise.
During that session, Dorion challenged the accuracy of the reporting being done by those covering the Senators. And on Thursday, Melnyk met with that media, the topic of conversation shifting to head coach Guy Boucher.
A year after reaching Game 7 of the 2017 Eastern Conference Finals, the Senators paltry 67-point output left them in 30th place in the NHL standings, their worst season since 1995-96 (41 points), their fifth year in existence.
While that kind of failure can often breed change behind the behind, Dorion said it's not a decision that will be rushed.
“A full evaluation of the coaching staff is underway top to bottom," he said Thursday. "There’s no real timeline (on a decision). We want to give ourselves enough time to make a further evaluation. We didn’t want to rush things right after the season. … At this point in time I don’t us making a decision until the end of April.”
Boucher's status, and the rest of his staff, are one of the many questions looming in Ottawa this offseason.
“Two things will change -- that’s for sure -- if he’s back: The implementation of younger players into our lineup and 'rest is a weapon.' If I hear that one more time, I’ll go crazy.”
Another area has said needs a facelift is special teams. The Senators ranked near the bottom on both the power play and penalty kill, ranking 27th and 26th league-wide respectively. The Senators also switched the responsibility of their assistant coaches midway through the regular season, with Marc Crawford taking over the power play, and Martin Raymond taking over the penalty kill.
It was a topic addressed on Tuesday, when a season ticket-holder asked how a team with Erik Karlsson could finish near the bottom of the NHL on both the power play (27th) and penalty kill (26th).
Dorion declined to comment on the status of a Karlsson extension on Thursday.
“We have a CBA. I’m not allowed to say anything until July 1st," he said.
It was revealed during that Town Hall on Tuesday the Senators are prepared to offer the two-time Norris Trophy winning defenseman a max-term, eight year deal. A trade also remains possible, and while Dorion said Tuesday they did not actively engage in trying to move their captain prior to the 2018 deadline, there were reports questioning that notion, and reports in February he was nearly deal to the Golden Knights.
Karlsson will likely command an annual average value of his contract approaching or exceeding $10 million USD, the type of contract owner Eugene Melnyk recently seemed to take issue with.
MORE: Karlsson eager to spend time away from hockey before dealing with Senators future
Though Dorion was mum on Karlsson, he did provide updates on potential restricted free agents Mark Stone and Cody Ceci.
Stone finished tied for the team lead in points (62) with Karlsson despite playing only 59 games, missing the final 15 due to an ankle sprain.
Dorion said he had a “productive talk” with Stone’s agent Craig Oster Monday.
“We know Mark will be with us next year," he said. "If we can’t come to an agreement, we still have another year to get a contract (completed). We are going to sit down in May or June. There’s no timetable on this. We feel confident, we can do something.”
If a deal with Stone is not reached, the team and player could enter a salary arbitration hearing.
Contract talks with Ceci’s agent JP Barry are not as far along as with Stone, Dorion said. The 24-year old’s 23:20 average time on-ice was second to Karlsson among Senators defenseman. His underlying numbers have not followed suit though, with a 44.3-percent Corsi rating this season.
Ceci has received an invite from Hockey Canada for the 2018 IIHF World Championships. Without a new contract in hand, if Ceci can procure an insurance policy in case of possible injury, the potential RFA will head to Denmark to represent his country.
For the time-being, Dorion said he is looking forward to the 2018 NHL Draft. The Senators are guaranteed a top-five pick for the first time since selecting Jason Spezza second overall in 2001.
Dorion is heading out on the road Thursday to view Barrie Colts forward Andrei Svechnikov. Along with the Halifax Mooseheads’ Filip Zadina, the Russian is projected by some to be one of the next two picks following anointed no.1 Rasmus Dahlin.
Dorion said he he realizes there’s a chance his club can fall three positions from the second spot to fifth. Dorion did say any of the projected top-five draftees will immediately add to the Senators lineup next season.