Gauthier Leaves Ducks for Ottawa

Pierre Gauthier, who helped start the Mighty Ducks from scratch as assistant general manager, has left to take over as general manager of the Ottawa Senators, long the laggard among NHL expansion teams.

The Senators introduced Gauthier at a news conference Monday, simultaneously announcing the firing of General Manager Randy Sexton. Sexton hung onto his job only three weeks longer than Coach Rick Bowness, who was fired Nov. 20 and replaced by Dave Allison.

Gauthier, 42, is taking on an organization in disarray, largely because of a contentious holdout by Alexei Yashin, the team’s best player. The Senators joined the league in 1992 but have won only 40 games over three-plus seasons. They’re 7-19-1 this season with attendance flagging as they prepare to move into an 18,500-seat arena.

Gauthier finished second to Duck General Manager Jack Ferreira for the Duck job in 1993 and it has been considered a matter of time before he became a general manager.

“It’s a big loss, no doubt about it,” Ferreira said. “From Day 1, he played an intricate part in putting this organization together. But it’s a great opportunity for Pierre and when a situation like this comes up, you can’t hold him him back.”

David McNab, the Ducks’ chief scout and director of player personnel, is in line to replace Gauthier. But because the departure comes in the middle of the scouting season for the amateur draft in June, McNab will stay with his current job for the time being.