Insides As “Ottawa Senators Coach Travis Green: Striking the Perfect Balance Between Challenge and Support!”

The Ottawa Senators kicked off their training camp on Wednesday, with all players undergoing medical evaluations—except for team captain Brady Tkachuk, who had a wonderful reason for his absence: his wife, Emma, gave birth to their baby boy, Ryder Keith, in New Jersey on Monday.

Tkachuk is set to join the team on the ice Thursday as they officially practice together for the first time ahead of the 2024-25 season.

In other exciting news, forward Josh Norris will be a full participant in camp after successfully recovering from his third shoulder surgery, having played only 50 games last season.

During Wednesday’s media session, head coach Travis Green addressed a key question: what position Norris would play. There had been speculation about Norris potentially moving to the wing, which could allow Shane Pinto to rise to the second line and Ridly Greig to center the third line. However, Green quickly dismissed that idea for now.

“I see him as a center. It’s his natural position, and he has found success there,” Green said. “At the beginning, it’s important to place him in that role. From our conversations, he seems confident and ready to go.”

Green emphasized the importance of communication and building trust with Norris, stating they had an open dialogue about his physical and mental readiness, assuring that they would continue discussions throughout the season.

While there will be focus on new additions like goalie Linus Ullmark, defenseman Nick Jensen, and camp invite Calen Addison, several forwards, including Michael Amadio, Nick Cousins, and David Perron, are expected to draw immediate attention.

Fans are eager to see how Green’s fair yet demanding coaching style integrates with the current roster. Having previously served as interim head coach of the New Jersey Devils and as head coach of the Vancouver Canucks, Green places a strong emphasis on accountability.

“Yes, I would bench a player if needed. Accountability comes in many forms, but for me, it starts with building relationships based on trust and communication. When players feel that, accountability becomes easier. I’ve never seen a player benched for playing too well,” Green explained.

He added, “Players need to perform to expectations—not just their own, but also in terms of competitive spirit and teamwork.”

When asked if he felt he was too demanding, Green responded confidently. “I don’t think I’m overly demanding. Everything I ask of the players is within their capabilities. They’re well-prepared for camp. Training camp is meant to be demanding as we gear up for Game One after the offseason.”

Green is entering camp well-prepared, having watched hours of video and spoken with many players about ways to enhance their performance. “After missing the playoffs, there are many areas we need to improve, both individually and as a team. I’ve communicated specific messages to players about what I expect from them upon their return.”

He also advised fans not to worry about forward lines or defensive pairings in the first few days of camp, as the initial focus is on team cohesion.

Looking ahead to the preseason, it seems the top defensive pairings will likely be Thomas Chabot with Artem Zub and Jake Sanderson with Nick Jensen. Up front, the line of Tkachuk, Tim Stützle, and Claude Giroux appears set to remain intact, with Norris potentially centering a line with right-winger Drake Batherson, while Shane Pinto and Michael Amadio could make up part of the third line.