Pierre Dorion Signs Three-Year Extension
The Sens’ GM will keep his position until 2022.
In a storm of news coming out today from the Ottawa Senators, they’ve made another announcement, signing general manager Pierre Dorion to a three-year extension.
News Release: #Sens announce multi-year extension with general manager Pierre Dorion and other management changes: https://t.co/IGZRr3D8r8
— Ottawa Senators (@Senators) February 9, 2018
Dorion, who has been with the Sens organization since 2007, was appointed as general manager in the 2016 offseason. Since then, he’s been one of the league’s busiest, especially in the trade market. Here’s a list of his major moves in the last year-and-a-half since taking over:
- Clearing out the Sens’ coaching staff and hiring Guy Boucher, Marc Crawford, Martin Raymond and Rob Cookson.
- Trading Mika Zibanejad to the New York Rangers for Derick Brassard.
- Acquiring Mike Condon from Pittsburgh for a 5th round pick.
- Acquiring Tommy Wingels, Alex Burrows and Viktor Stalberg ahead of the 2017 trade deadline.
- Shipping Curtis Lazar to Calgary for a 2nd round pick.
- Drafting Shane Bowers, Alex Formenton, Drake Batherson and Jordan Hollett.
- Signing Burrows, Pyatt, McCormick, Condon, Pageau, Dzingel, Anderson, Borowiecki and Harpur to contract extensions.
- Picking up Nate Thompson and Johnny Oduya in free agency.
- Acquiring Matt Duchene from Colorado in exchange for Kyle Turris, Andrew Hammond and future assets./
The extension is a vote of confidence for Dorion, as there were questions surrounding the organization as to whether he and Boucher would be keep their jobs secure while going through a tumultuous season. Looking ahead, he has his work cut out for him, with Duchene, Brassard, Stone, Dzingel, Ceci and Karlsson all needing new contracts in the next two off-seasons, amongst many other pending free agents.
Of note in the official announcement linked above, is the following quote from owner Eugene Melnyk:
“Today’s announcement reflects a renewed commitment to scouting, drafting and development. It may require changes to our lineup. Rest assured, we will only tolerate pain with an endgame in mind: building an organization that wins - at all levels - year in and year out.”
This is a major shift in mindset from the owner, who we’ve repeatedly seen try to avoid rebuilding in an effort to maximize playoff revenue, ever since the teardown in 2011. Endless trade rumours have been flying left and right for key players including Hoffman, Brassard, Pageau, Smith, and even captain Erik Karlsson. With the trade deadline approaching quickly on February 26th, the Sens could be looking like a completely different team a month from now.
Congratulations to Dorion on his extension, and may his years ahead bring success to the Ottawa Senators!
