Steve Staios, known for his thoughtful approach as the Ottawa Senators’ president of hockey operations and general manager, has begun to see positive results after a year in his dual role, following the dismissal of Pierre Dorion on November 1, 2023. With the Senators finishing the first month of the season at 5-4-0, they prepared for a road game against the New York Rangers.
Staios values strategic processes and thorough analysis to guide his decisions, ensuring every option is carefully considered before taking action. While the team aims for a playoff run, Staios believes in their ability to navigate upcoming challenges and stay competitive.
Upon assuming control from owner Michael Andlauer, Staios was dissatisfied with the team’s structure and initiated significant changes over six months. Key moves included adding goaltender Linus Ullmark and seasoned players like David Perron, Michael Amadio, Nick Cousins, and Nick Jensen to strengthen the young core.
Now, the onus is on captain Brady Tkachuk and key players such as Tim Stutzle, Josh Norris, Drake Batherson, Ridly Greig, Shane Pinto, Thomas Chabot, and Jake Sanderson to elevate the team’s performance. Although Staios is open to further changes, he hopes the current roster can step up to meet expectations.
When asked if the players need to enhance their impact, Staios affirmed: “Exactly. That’s why, when discussing roster construction, we focused on the goaltender, balancing the defensive lineup, and adding veteran support for the core. That’s the reasoning behind our current strategy.”
