The Ottawa Senators are shaking things up behind the bench, and this time, it’s the penalty kill getting a new direction.
Ahead of Saturday night’s matchup against the Carolina Hurricanes, head coach Travis Green announced a key change in responsibilities: assistant coach Mike Yeo will now take over as the primary voice guiding the Senators’ penalty kill. It’s a move that comes as Ottawa sits 31st in the league in PK efficiency, killing off just 71.7% of opposing power plays - a number that simply hasn’t cut it.
“There’s been a lot of talk about our kill,” Green acknowledged. “Mike Yeo is going to be the voice of our penalty kill now. Baumer will still collaborate with it.”
Green made it clear this isn’t a demotion or slight against assistant coach Mike “Baumer” Baumgartner, who’s been handling the PK duties up to this point. In fact, Green praised Baumer’s work, especially with the defensemen.
But the numbers speak for themselves, and the Senators need a spark. Sometimes, a new voice can bring just that - a shift in tone, a fresh perspective, even if the system doesn’t change dramatically.
“The penalty kill hasn’t gone the way we’ve wanted,” Green said. “That’s not just on him. Ultimately, the players have to get the job done, and a new voice might give a spark and a different look.”
And he’s right - this isn’t just about coaching. The Senators' struggles on the PK have been a combination of breakdowns in coverage, missed assignments, and lapses in execution. There have been goals allowed that simply shouldn’t happen at the NHL level - moments where the structure was there, but the execution wasn’t.
“It could quite easily be in a different position than it is,” Green added. “There have been some goals that we haven’t liked. That goes back on the players when there’s a blown coverage, and the guy doesn’t make the right play.”
At this point in the season, with special teams playing such a critical role in tight games, Ottawa can’t afford to keep bleeding goals when down a man. A penalty kill operating below 72% isn’t just a stat - it’s a liability that shifts momentum, costs games, and saps confidence.
The Senators aren’t overhauling their system, but they are hoping a new approach from Yeo - a coach with plenty of experience and a defensive-minded background - can help tighten things up. It’s a tactical adjustment, but also a psychological one. Sometimes, changing the messenger can help the message land more effectively.
With the Hurricanes - one of the league’s most aggressive and structured teams - coming to town, Ottawa’s penalty kill will be tested immediately. The Senators are hoping this change can be the first step toward stabilizing a key part of their game that’s been far too shaky for far too long.