Dorion signs contract extension as Senators GM through 2024-25

Pierre Dorion signed a contract extension as general manager of the Ottawa Senators through the 2024-25 season on Tuesday.

It will begin next season, with Ottawa holding an option for 2025-26.
"We're very pleased to sign Pierre to a second extension as Senators general manager," owner and governor Eugene Melnyk said. "Dating to when he was named GM in 2016, Pierre has worked tirelessly towards building an organization that can compete with the National Hockey League's best."
Dorion was named Senators GM on April 10, 2016. The Ottawa native initially was hired as chief amateur scout in July 2007 and has been director of player personnel and assistant general manager. He also received a three-year extension Feb. 10, 2018.
"I think earning [Melnyk's] trust for the next four years says a lot to me about how he wants to go with this team," Dorion told TSN 1200. "You know, we had a plan when we started this rebuild. I feel that we're in the next stage now, it's time to start to win, and for him asking me to continue to finish the work that we started I think says a lot."

Ottawa (23-28-5) finished sixth in the seven-team Scotia North Division last season, missing the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the fourth straight season. It was 14-8-4 in its final 26 games after starting 9-20-1 and has won 149 games since Dorion became GM, third in Senators history behind Bryan Murray (339) and John Muckler (240).
"Last year we felt we were a team that was hard to play against, but now it's time to challenge to get two points every night, be in every game," Dorion said. "… So I think for us as a group it's to continue that growth. A lot of our younger players are reaching that maturity stage in their career where they should be leading us, not considered young players anymore. … It's time to start winning."
During Dorion's tenure, the Senators have drafted forwards Logan Brown (No. 11, 2016), Drake Batherson (No. 121, 2017),
Brady Tkachuk
(No. 4, 2018) and
Tim Stutzle
(No. 3, 2020). Defenseman
Jake Sanderson
was chosen two places after Stutzle.
"He's dedicated, detailed, and maintains a sound hockey mind," Melnyk said of Dorion. "Under Pierre's leadership, we have the utmost confidence that this team will soon be recognized as one that is consistently meriting success."
Batherson agreed to a six-year, $29.85 million contract (average annual value $4.975 million) Sept. 3. Coach D.J. Smith signed a two-year contract July 28, 16 days after the Senators hired Pierre McGuire as senior vice president of player development to work with Dorion and Melnyk.