The SBP Archives - Your less than frequent dose of SBP!

The coaching situation in Ottawa is something I look forward to seeing be resolved in the upcoming weeks as the NHL draft approaches in June (that will also take place in Ottawa).

Bryan Murray has said he'll just be GM and will actively seek a replacement for next season. And two names that intrigue me the most are both named Pat.

Pat Burns won a Stanley Cup behind the bench with the NJ Devils in 2003 (coaching that heartbreaking Conference finals where they toppled the Senators in seven games) and commands respect with every player in the NHL. He's also coached the Montreal Canadiens and Toronto Maple Leafs, and has a reputation for being tough on his players to get the best out of them on the ice. Add to the fact he also has a semi-connection with the city of Ottawa, being a former police officer for Hull, hmm, looks like a good fit. He's been out of coaching since being diagnosed with cancer, but he beat it and wants to do it again. He's my personal choice to be head coach of the Sens.

However, another candidate that will bring a little more drama to the fold is ex-coach and GM of the Toronto Maple Leafs, Pat Quinn. No, he hasn't won a Stanley Cup, but he has won a couple of gold medals in the Olympics and World Cup. He's another guy that puts the whip to his players and has a reputation of using the media to his advantage to better his teams' odds. But aside from this, it would send a dagger to the heart of many Leafs fans seeing Quinn coach their arch-nemesis: The Battle of Ontario adds another tale to its storied history. The only thing that may scare Murray from hiring him is that Quinn is somewhat power-hungry, and might threaten his GM post much like when Murray took over from John Muckler.

In addition (and I admit, this could be a reach), if Quinn is hired, can he attract any new talent to the Ottawa organization? I think it's possible...why not after being hired, he picks up the phone and calls up his former team captain Mats Sundin. "Toronto wanted you traded, no extension offered for next season? How about a trip up the 416 to play for me like old times?"

I couldn't imagine anything sweeter.