The Ottawa Senators have shown Pierre Dorion the door.
The news conference came only hours after the NHL announced the Senators had forfeited a first-round pick for a botched deal involving the Vegas Golden Knights. Andlauer confirmed that was the last straw because the Senators were at fault after he read the NHL’s 73-page report.
“I always talk about accountability and giving the tools to have accountability,” Andlauer said. “In this case, at the end of the day, we’re at fault for what transpired. We can argue about how harsh this penalty was, but ultimately this could have been avoided.
This firing was called a resignation.
“Ultimately, I came down with a decision and I sat down with Steve and suggested I might consider making a move. I discussed with Pierre if he had a contingency plan,” Andlauer said. “This was never anticipated. I made it very clear I like that two-headed monster.
“This whole issue could have been avoided. Collaboratively, there’s so much to do in hockey operations. I discussed it with Pierre and how I couldn’t come with a lesser penalty. It was decided over dinner it was best to part ways.”
Coach D.J. Smith and his staff — who are without three of their top defencemen and a top-nine forward — will remain in their roles. They’re in the final year of their contracts and have an option year on their deals, but this decision won’t help their futures.
“The players respect D.J., they play hard, they’ve never cheated us on effort and they never look organized going into games,” Staois said. “If you asked D.J., are there areas of improvement? He’d say sure. We’re dealing with injuries and adversity but I have confidence this will move in the right direction.”
“My first priority is to instill stability and confidence in the group,” Staois said. “I think when changes like this happen, and we’ve been hit with a few things we’ve had to deal with, we have to give the group, staff and players the confidence. We have to continue to support and build.”
Andlauer is a big believer in accountability and that’s why he let Dorion make the decisions during the off-season. But sources say Andlauer and Staios weren’t pleased with the way the situation involving suspended centre Shane Pinto was handled by the organization.
Dorion’s future was sealed by the league’s decision to penalize the Senators a first-round pick for a deal involving Dadonov in March 2022.
The Golden Knights had tried to send Dadonov to Anaheim because Vegas was under the impression that deal could be made. But the Knights didn’t have the proper ‘no trade’ list from the Senators and that responsibility falls on Dorion.
Staois said the club will begin a search for a new GM. A name at the top of the list will be Tampa Bay Lightning assistant GM Mathieu Darche. Until a new face put in place, Staois will carry out the day-to-day duties.
“I’ll do what’s best for the Ottawa Senators,” Staois said. “Before that starts to unfold, we’re going to take a longer look at what our options might be.”
