Ottawa Senators commit to coach Travis Green to help them take the next step

Ottawa Senators head coach Travis Green speaks to the media at the Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa Monday. Coach Green's contract was extended three years by the Senators on Monday. Photo by Tony Caldwell /Postmedia

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Travis Green is here to stay for a while.

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The Ottawa Senators announced Monday morning that Green has signed a contract extension through the 2030-31 season, with his coaching staff also extended through the same period.

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The Senators have made the playoffs in both of Green’s first two years behind the bench and are off to a 6-3-0 start through nine games this season, with the Florida Panthers visiting the Canadian Tire Centre on Wednesday night.

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Steve Staios, the club’s director of hockey operations and general manager, is confident Green is the right man to lead the Senators to the next level.

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The two began discussing an extension a while ago and agreed the timing was right.

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Sitting beside Green at a press conference at the Canadian Tire Centre on Monday afternoon, with owner Michael Andlauer watching from the back of the media room, Staios explained why getting a deal done became a priority.

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Steve Staios, director of hockey operations and general manager, speaks to the media at the Canadian Tire Centre on Monday after Ottawa Senators coach Travis Green’s contract was extended three years. Photo by Tony Caldwell /Postmedia

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“This became a priority for me as I watched our group continue to develop and watch the work of not only Travis but the entire coaching staff, and the collaboration and the way that they’ve been able to continually grow with this group,” Staios said.

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“I think about the qualities of Travis when I went through the process, and he’s been able to deliver on all of those for our group. So it’s a proud day for me. It’s a proud day for the organization. I think we both understand that we have a lot of work ahead of us, but again, this is another foundational step for the Ottawa Senators moving forward.”

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Green was already under contract through 2027-28, meaning the new deal is a three-year extension. Assistants Mike Yeo, Nolan Baumgartner and Ben Sexton, along with goalie coach Justin Peters, also received extensions.

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Ottawa has been a good fit for Green. He believes the organization has stability, has developed a strong relationship with Staios and, most importantly, sees a team capable of eventually competing for a Stanley Cup.

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Ottawa Senators owner Michael Andlauer looks on at the Monday news conference at the Canadian Tire Centre. Photo by Tony Caldwell /Postmedia

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The Senators aren’t satisfied with simply making the playoffs every year. They want to win, and they believe Green can help get them there.

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Green feels the same way about the organization, which made signing on the dotted line an easy decision.

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“We hit all the boxes, and it checks all the marks,” Green said. “But you have also got to believe that you can win, first and foremost. And every coach wants to win, and I truly believe that our team can succeed and win long-term. You’ve got to enjoy coaching the players. I’ve said it many times that we have a group that wants to be coached, and we enjoy coaching them. Our staff thoroughly enjoys coaching these players.

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“You’ve got to like where you’re at. I love living here. I love the city. I love the team and I want to win. And for me, it was an easy decision.”

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Ottawa Senators head coach Travis Green is seen while speaking to the media at the Canadian Tire Centre on Monday. Photo by Tony Caldwell /Postmedia

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Tim Stutzle, Drake Batherson, Jake Sanderson, Dylan Cozens, Shane Pinto, Ridly Greig, Tyler Kleven and captain Thomas Chabot form a significant part of a Senators core that has continued to develop under Green.