The Ottawa Senators announced on Wednesday that Pierre Dorion has been relieved of his duties as general manager. The 51-year-old, who had held the role since 2016, will be replaced by Steve Staios, the president of hockey operations, who will serve as interim GM while the team conducts a search for a permanent replacement.

The decision to part ways with Dorion came after Senators owner Michael Andlauer met with Staios last week to discuss the possibility of a change in leadership. Dorion was informed of the decision on Tuesday. Dorion had a long history with the Senators organization, joining as a scout in 2007 before moving up the ranks to director of player personnel in 2009 and assistant GM in 2014. He took over as GM on April 10, 2016, following the departure of Bryan Murray.

Under Dorion's tenure, the Senators qualified for the Stanley Cup Playoffs once, in 2016, where they reached the Eastern Conference Final but ultimately fell to the Pittsburgh Penguins in overtime of Game 7. The team's overall record during Dorion's tenure was 225-261-59. Last season, the Senators showed improvement, earning 86 points compared to 73 points the previous season.

In addition to the change in management, the Senators received news of a penalty from the NHL. The league announced on Wednesday that Ottawa would forfeit a first-round draft pick due to their involvement in the trade of forward Evgenii Dadonov to the Vegas Golden Knights on July 28, 2021, and the subsequent invalidated trade of Dadonov to the Anaheim Ducks by the Golden Knights on March 21, 2022. The Senators will forfeit their first-round pick in either the 2024, 2025, or 2026 NHL Draft, with the final determination being made by the Senators after the NHL Draft Lottery for the respective year.

Andlauer took responsibility for the penalty, acknowledging that the team was at fault for the series of events leading to the forfeiture of the draft pick. He emphasized the importance of accountability and respect for the league's decision.

While changes are being made in the front office, there are no plans for a coaching change at this time. D.J. Smith, who was hired by Dorion in 2019, will continue to lead the team. Despite a 4-4-0 record in the early stages of the season, Staios expressed his confidence in the coaching staff and the players, stating his belief in the team's potential for future success.

The Senators have also made significant moves during the offseason, including trading forward Alex DeBrincat to the Detroit Red Wings for Dominik Kubalik, defenseman prospect Donovan Sebrango, and draft picks. They also signed goalie Joonas Korpisalo to a five-year contract and forward Vladimir Tarasenko to a one-year contract. The team has a solid core of young talent, including forwards Tim Stutzle and Brady Tkachuk, and defenseman Thomas Chabot, all of whom were drafted during Dorion's tenure.

In the midst of these changes, the Senators faced another setback as forward Shane Pinto was suspended for 41 games due to activities related to sports wagering. Staios emphasized the need for stability and confidence within the team moving forward.

The Ottawa Senators will face the Los Angeles Kings at the Canadian Tire Centre on Thursday as they navigate through these transitional phases in the organization. The search for a permanent GM will begin as the team aims to build a strong foundation for the future.

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