After this coming season, the Ottawa Senators may be looking to fill a big hole in their organization. Binghamton coach Luke Richardson signed a one year extension last month to continue as the coach of the Senators' farm team.
Richardson has basically remained in the position he has held for 3 seasons, basically to coincide with the college career of his daughter, who will graduate after this season from nearby Cornell.
Richardson has done wonders with the Senators' prospects during his tenure in Bingo, most notably the quick turnaround in developing Cody Ceci from a player with a lot of question marks defensively to a top 4 defenseman who kills penalties within a matter of a couple months of working with him.
Luke had discussions about the Buffalo job that eventually went to Dan Bylsma, because it would have kept him in the upstate New York area and close to his daughter. There is no doubt that he is probably ready to assume an NHL head coaching gig, and will be very highly sought after to fill one of the inevitable coaching vacancies after next season is over.
He has gone through personal tragedy while a member of the Senators organization, through which he helped create an incredible mental health awareness campaign that is still going strong today, and that has perhaps solidified his dedication to be near his family. Once his daughter graduates and goes on her way in life, it will free Luke to take on the challenge that the next level will provide.
With Dave Cameron and his 2 year extension in place starting next season, Luke's next challenge will not likely be in Ottawa. He is on the record stating that he doesn't want to be an NHL assistant again, and will be looking for a team of his own. That opportunity will present itself before too long, and it will leave a hole in the Sens' organization. And if, per chance, the opening is in Ottawa, it will mean it hasn't been the type of season Sens fans are hoping and expecting from their team and there will be far more questions than answers in the Nation's Capital.