Ottawa Senators Hire Former Devils Coach Travis Green

The New Jersey Devils officially need a new head coach.

The Ottawa Senators announced on Tuesday they’ve hired Travis Green, inking the former Devils interim head coach to a four-year contract.

According to the press release, “After speaking to several highly qualified candidates, it became clear that Travis is the right fit to lead our group,” said Senators GM Steve Staios. “As we’ve routinely stated, developing a winning culture is paramount to our aspiration of achieving sustained success. Travis has a burning desire to win, is passionate about teaching and holds his players to a very high standard. We’re excited to welcome he and his family to the Ottawa-Gatineau community.”

At his exit meeting with the media, Green expressed his utmost interest in remaining the head coach of the Devils, however, understood General Manager Tom Fitzgerald needed to search for the right fit to lead the group of Devils that went from a 112-point breakout juggernaut to missing the playoffs in 2023-24.

After taking over for Lindy Ruff on March 4th after the Devils relieved him of his duties, Green coached the Devils to an 8-12-1 record in 21 games.

Despite missing the playoffs, Green was adamant about remaining with the young Devils group.

“Do I want to be the head coach of this team? 100%. There are a lot of reasons why. One of them being the team is good, and I want to win,” Green said at exit interviews.

Now, Green will receive a similar opportunity to coach a young Senators squad that boasts a bevy of talent such as Brady Tkachuk, Tim Stutzle, and Jake Sanderson among others on the roster.

Devils superstars such as Jack Hughes, Jesper Bratt, & Nico Hischier, among others, will answer to a new head coach.

Candidates that have been named among numerous reports are Craig Berube and Mike Sullivan, although the latter has yet to be evicted from the Pittsburgh Penguins organization if that happens at all.

The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun reported earlier on Tuesday afternoon that the Devils “hope to have a new coach hired within 7-10 days.”

The belief is that Berube is the frontrunner to land the job in New Jersey.