There was some news that came out today from the Senators, and it involves a former player. No, they aren’t bringing anyone back on the ice, but they are bringing back Chris Kelly for a role off the ice:
News Release: Senators appoint Chris Kelly as a Development Coach: https://t.co/v56Ea9ZKGw
— Sens communications (@Media_Sens) September 4, 2018
Communiqué : Les Sénateurs d’Ottawa nomment Chris Kelly à titre d’entraîneur du développement : https://t.co/YtEBSS7FN8 pic.twitter.com/8kGpphKeTL
As for what a “development coach… entails, the details are pretty limited, as this is everything the team had to say in regards to his actual role:
“Chris Kelly has joined the team as a development coach, joining former Senator Shean Donovan. Kelly, 37, will join [Shean] Donovan to help oversee and support the progress of prospects throughout the Senators system.…
It seems like one of those positions where he doesn’t really have a specific role with the team, but he can help out in any way that he can and he’ll be a mentor that is available for all of their prospects coming up. I couldn’t tell you exactly what Shean Donovan has done for the past four years either, but I will say that it’s at least good that they have added another person to the front office.
Sean Tierney had a great point on Twitter about why this hire is so much better than signing a veteran for the room (while he’s terrible on the ice):
This is the move we always suggest when a team trades for/signs an old vet for "leadership in the room." Having Kelly coaching instead of skating on the fourth line is much smarter. https://t.co/qBpoBFuU6o
— Sean Tierney (@ChartingHockey) September 4, 2018
Kelly was obviously no longer an effective player, and he recognized that. However, he has loads of experience with 845 games played and a Stanley Cup ring, so hopefully he is able to share his knowledge with the young players that are on the cusp of making an impact with the Senators. It doesn’t hurt to have experience, and at least he isn’t hurting the team’s on-ice performance this time.
I will say that although this might end up being a good hire, it’s funny that the Senators once again (essentially) hired from within by bringing back a familiar face. They’re continuing their tradition of keeping it in-house, and I’d love to see them branch out more. Obviously if you’re bringing in former players into the mix, it’s almost always going to be former Senators so that’s fine, but they need to mix in other people as well.
Plus for all I know, Kelly is phenomenal at his job. None of us will really know anyway, and I can’t imagine him being around will be a detriment. It looks like lots of people are happy to see him back with the team, and rightfully so.