Senators hire Travis Green as head coach: Ottawa taps ex-Devils assistant to lead team out of playoff drought

Green served as the Devils' interim head coach after Lindy Ruff's firing earlier this season

By Chris Bengel May 7, 2024 at 12:12 pm ET• 1 min read

The Ottawa Senators have hired Travis Green as their next head coach, according to an announcement from the team. Green agreed to a four-year contract that will run through the conclusion of the 2027-28 season.

Jacques Martin had served as the Senators' head coach on an interim basis after the team fired D.J. Smith in December 2023. Ottawa is hoping to end a playoff drought that's lasted since it reached the conference finals in 2017. 

"After speaking to several highly qualified candidates, it became clear that Travis is the right fit to lead our group," Senators general manager Steve Staios said in a statement. "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."

Green served as the interim head coach of the New Jersey Devils during the 2023-24 season, and he led the team to a 8-12-1 record over 21 games at the helm. The former NHL defenseman, who had been the team's associate coach since June 2023, was elevated to interim head coach after New Jersey fired Lindy Ruff.