When it rains, it pours and there is a huge storm affecting the Ottawa Senators.
Trying to rebuild their reputation and franchise after departures like Erik Karlsson and Mike Hoffman, leaked footage of seven Senators’ taking an Uber ride has surfaced last night.
The footage showed players on the team joke about their penalty kill abilities, the ineffectiveness of special team meetings and mocking one of their coaches.
The video was taken during the Sens’ western road trip and it appeared as if none of the players were aware their conversation was being recorded.
Comments about the video analysis of coach Marty Raymond were made in jest, ripping how Raymond doesn’t actually analyze anything happening with the play.
Matt Duchene, Dylan DeMelo, Thomas Chabot, Chris Tierney, Chris Wideman, Colin White, and Alex Formenton were among those taking the trip.
The five-minute recording also included how the Sens have had the worst power-play and the worst PK in a calendar year.
Duchene criticized special team meetings, saying, “We don’t change anything, ever. So why do we even have a meeting? I haven’t paid attention in three weeks.”
https://youtu.be/08s76gtxjZc
This is the latest bit of embarrassing news for the Senators. It’s certainly been a rough go for the franchise after being one goal away from the Stanley Cup Finals two seasons ago.
The players involved issued a statement late Monday evening:
We want to apologize publicly to Marty Raymond, our teammates, and coaches for our comments in Phoenix Arizona on October 29. Our private conversation was recorded without our knowledge or consent. We’re passionate about our team, and focusing on growing together. We are grateful for the support of our fans and organization. This is an important learning experience, and we will do better.”
Head Coach Guy Boucher chimed in with the following statement: “Nothing is more important to us during this rebuild than making sure our players and coaches are fully committed to our plan, our values and our system of play. We have every confidence in Marty Raymond’s coaching; in the effort and determination of our team; and in the sincerity of our players’ apology. We are now treating this as a team matter, and will be making no further comment to the media.”
