Claude Julien Confirms Interest in Ottawa Senators Head Coaching Job

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As the Ottawa Senators continue their head coaching search, they seem to have no shortage of potential options. It’s clear they have an interest in the likes of Craig Berube, Todd McLellan, and Dean Evason, among others. What we don’t know yet is whether the interest is mutual because none of these coaches has said anything publicly.

These candidates do have other options. It’s not like it’s Ottawa or nothing. They could have an eye on one of the other job openings in the market or one that might still open up. They might also put their feet up on a beach for a year or two and enjoy the money left on their contracts with the team that recently canned them.

But one former NHL head coach – a former Stanley Cup winner – just made it clear that he’d be interested in the Senators’ job opening. Claude Julien spoke on BPM Sports Radio this week, and while he wasn’t campaigning for the job, he didn’t hide his interest when asked about it.

Speaking in French, Julien said it would be an interesting challenge. He talked about being from Ottawa and noted that the decision to connect would ultimately be up to the new management here.

Julien certainly checks a lot of boxes. He’s an Ottawa guy, a former player, and has tons of experience as a head coach in the league, including a 2011 Stanley Cup win in Boston and a Jack Adams trophy as NHL coach of the year in 2009. Most recently, he was Team Canada’s head coach at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing.

Strikes against Julien might include his age. But he’s younger than, for example, Rick Bowness, John Tortorella and Lindy Ruff. And after handing the keys to 71-year-old Jacques Martin this season, no one would ever accuse the Senators of being ageist.

Julien’s three-year absence from NHL head coaching likely stems from skepticism over a lack of recent success. From 2015 to 2021, playoff success was elusive. During that time, his Bruin and Hab teams either missed the playoffs or lost in round one.

But Julien has a few aces up his sleeve.

He also brings the intangibles of bilingualism and nostalgia that could make him a popular choice on the Quebec side. And make no mistake, making sure that Gatineau NHL fans feel welcome and valued at the Canadian Tire Centre is a priority for new owner Michael Andlauer.

Who could help with that better than Julien?

He’s bilingual. He had two long runs as head coach of the Montreal Canadiens, who are beloved in the area. And Julien was head coach of the 1997 Hull Olympiques, who won the franchise’s only Memorial Cup title and did so right in Gatineau.

And if you like the theory that Andlauer and GM Steve Staios will favour a coach they’re familiar with, Julien would check that box as well. He was a former head coach in Hamilton (AHL) and Montreal (NHL), the very teams that Andlauer held ownership in.

There might not be a lot of talk about him right now, but Claude Julien’s resume is certainly enough to merit a serious conversation.