Senators coach Dave Cameron agrees to 2-year extension
Search still on for new assistant coach
The Ottawa Senators and head coach Dave Cameron have agreed to a two-year contract extension.
General manager Bryan Murray told reporters Thursday that the contract will be signed once the final language of the agreement is worked out.
"It's agreed to, we're waiting on some language, one paragraph to make it firm," said Murray. "It has to do with tax savings for Dave we hope. It has a little bit to do with some method of helping [Cameron] out in his income."
As for a new assistant to take over from Mark Reeds, who passed away from cancer April 14, Cameron hasn't found a replacement.
"That's not been done at this point, no. I think he's talked a couple of times but there is nothing done," said Murray.
The Ottawa Sun's Bruce Garrioch reports the deal with Cameron is believed to be worth $1.6 million US, giving him a high salary for a new coach, likely due to the team's impressive late-season run to the playoffs.
Historic playoff run
Cameron was behind the bench for Ottawa's 23-4-4 surge that earned the team a spot in the playoffs after he took over for fired coach Paul MacLean in December.
The Senators' impressive dash for the post-season saw the team rally from a 14-point deficit to earn the first wild card berth in the Eastern Conference before losing to the Canadiens in the first round.
At the team's season-ending press conference on April 29, Murray told reporters Cameron's leadership had made a clear impact on the team's play.
Murray says the turnaround in the team was quite obvious after the coaching change was made. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/cbcott?src=hash">#cbcott</a>
—@SeguinSportsIt was revealed at that same meeting with reporters that Cameron was offered an extension immediately after the end of the season.
Dave Cameron says he has been offered a contract extension. Hasn't looked at it yet. 'This club has been very fair with me' <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/cbcott?src=hash">#cbcott</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Sens?src=hash">#Sens</a>
—@SeguinSportsThe story of Ottawa's playoff run was made even more interesting by the phenomenal play of rookie goalie Andrew Hammond, who stepped in after Craig Anderson and Robin Lehner were injured.
Watch Murray's full discussion with reporters below:
<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Sens?src=hash">#Sens</a> GM Bryan Murray passes along updates on goalies, the coach's proposed extension and more. WATCH: <a href="http://t.co/8XFb6z6M6j">http://t.co/8XFb6z6M6j</a>
—@Senators
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