“I haven’t paid attention in three weeks”: Sens players caught slamming coaches, laughing at team in leaked video

If you haven’t seen this yet, just a warning that it contains NSFW language.

HockeyFeed
HockeyFeed
Published 5 years ago
“I haven’t paid attention in three weeks”: Sens players caught slamming coaches, laughing at team in leaked video
Ottawa Citizen

In case you missed it, late last night the the Ottawa Citizen published a shocking expose of Ottawa Senators players Matt Duchene, Chris Wideman, Thomas Chabot and others by way of a leaked video in which the players brutally criticize their team and coaching staff during an Uber ride in Phoenix, Arizona. 

Check out this video:



This story was broken by an unnamed Citizen reporter, with quotes from their article below:

“Marty Raymond, the only coach in NHL history to have the worst power-play and the worst PK within a calendar year,” says Sens forward Matt Duchene, in reference to Martin Raymond, an assistant coach in charge of the team’s penalty-killing this year and power-play last season.”
Defenceman Chris Wideman, sitting in the front passenger seat, chirps in: “Do you notice that when (Raymond) runs the video, if you actually do pay attention, he doesn’t ever teach you anything? He just commentates what’s happening.”
Then Duchene can be heard replying: “Here’s the other thing, too. We don’t change anything, ever. So why do we even have a meeting? I haven’t paid attention in three weeks.”
Defenceman Thomas Chabot can also be seen in the middle of the second row of seats. When Wideman says, “I also hate how he quizzes us,” the conversation meanders and Chabot says, of the next potential meeting: “No, please ask a question, just so he says ‘great question.’”

The Senators organization, along with players coach Guy Boucher and players Duchene, Wideman, Chabot, Dylan DeMelo, Chris Tierney, Alex Formenton and Colin White released a statement to the media last night, apologizing for their their criticism of coach Marty Raymond and offering up an apology to their fanbase. 

Check it out:


In full the statement reads:

In response to Postmedia’s coverage of a privacy breach against its players and coaches, the Senators players involved and Guy Boucher issued the following statement.
From Guy Boucher:
“Nothing is more important to us during this rebuild than making sure our players and coaches are fully committed to our plan, our values and our system o play. We have every confidence in Marty Raymond’s coaching, in the effort and determination of our team; and in the sincerity of our players’ apology. We are now treating this as a team matter, and will be making no further comment to the media.”
From Thomas Chabot, Dylan DeMelo, Matt Duchess, Alex Formenton, Chris Tierney, Chris Wideman, and Colin White:
“We want to apologize publicly to Marty Raymond, our teammates and coaches for our comments in Phoenix Arizona on October 29. Our private conversation was recorded without our knowledge or consent. We’re passionate about our team, and focusing on growing together. We are grateful for the support of our fans and organization. This is an important leaning experience, and we will do better.”

Needless to say, this is NOT a good look for a franchise that has had an awful time with public relations in the past calendar year. The Sens fanbase has had to endure an ill advised trade for Duchene, an epic locker room split between their captain and star scorer, the eventual trade of their captain and star scorer and... well then there's always Eugene Melnyk putting his foot in his mouth. Regardless of what team you cheer for, you HAVE to feel for Sens fans right now. To make matters worse, both Duchene and Mark Stone, arguably their two best offensive players, are on expiring contracts and are slated to hit the open market as free agents. Oh... and they're missing their first round pick in the upcoming 2019 NHL Entry Draft. Ouch.