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GARRIOCH: Senators’ owner Michael Andlauer doesn’t want to make a hasty decision regarding coach D.J. Smith or a new GM

Michael Andlauer is “making notes” and wants to practice patience. The Ottawa Senators’ new owner told reporters at the NHL’s board of governors’ meetings in Seattle on Monday night he’s heard the fans calling for D.J. Smith to be fired, but Andlauer is trying to support the club’s embattled head coach with interim general manager […]

Article content Michael Andlauer is “making notes” and wants to practice patience. The Ottawa Senators’ new owner told reporters at the NHL’s board of governors’ meetings in Seattle on Monday night he’s heard the fans calling for D.J. Smith to be fired, but Andlauer is trying to support the club’s embattled head coach with interim general manager Steve Staios. Andlauer stopped short of giving Smith and his staff, who are in their fifth season behind the bench, a vote of confidence, however, it doesn’t sound like the Senators are in any hurry to make a move either. Told by TSN’s Gino Reda “you mentioned what the fans want and they don’t want D.J. Smith behind the bench anymore”, Andlauer smiled and said: “Section 323 and maybe thirty fans there … I don’t know.” Andlauer wasn’t being dismissive of the unrest of the fanbase but he’s also going to take his time with Staios before making a decision. “I do appreciate the fans and I love these fans, they’re passionate and they’ve also gone six years without making the playoffs,” Andlauer said. “I totally understand their angst. “The only thing I can say is that I’m as big a fan. I know I cannot socialize when the game is on, I am pretty intense. It’s a process. I’m the new boss. I’m looking at all our key employees, let’s say, and trying to understand. “We’re trying to make sure they have the right tools to be successful. Steve is working pretty hard at this. We didn’t expect our GM (Pierre Dorion) to be leaving us this early. Under the circumstances, we’re trying to learn but I can feel the fans angst.” Smith has the hottest seat in Ottawa and the club is trying to do whatever it takes to be supportive so he can have success. There is no sense that a change behind the bench is imminent and right now the focus is on trying to do what’s necessary to help the club get back on track. Andlauer isn’t pleased with the club’s 9-10-0 record through the first 19 games but he also noted that the Senators will only hit the quarter-mark of the season Tuesday night with the New York Rangers in town. “There’s some areas of improvement. We’re making our notes,” Andlauer said. “It’s so early in the season. We’re not even a quarter of the way there, at least we’re not, and I think we have six or seven games in hand on many of the teams. I’ll leave it at that.” Staios has been working in a dual role as president of hockey operations and interim GM since Dorion was fired Nov. 1. Andlauer stated then he’d like two people in charge of the club’s hockey operations and reiterated that point when asked about the search. It doesn’t sound like Andlauer is in any hurry to hire someone to fill the GM’s seat but he’s working with Staios daily to determine the best course of action. Plenty of names have been mentioned as candidates, however, it would surprise no one if Staios finished the year in both chairs. “It’s a process. I want to give Steve all the support that he needs,” Andlauer said. “I like what they did in Montreal with Jeff Gorton and Kent Hughes working collaboratively. It’s a big job. But they have to work collaboratively and think of the same mind. “That’s not always easy to do but I think we’ll get there. It’s a process. Just like a new coach or whatever, you can’t be hasty in your decision making. You’ve got to do it right because the decision we make will have to be in the best interests of the Senators long-term. Not just tomorrow.” Andlauer and some of his real estate partners in the club’s ownership group spent Monday morning touring the Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle with the possibility of a downtown arena in Ottawa on the table.

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