Ottawa Senator History

Martin would impose a "strong defense first" philosophy that led to the team qualifying for the playoffs every season that he coached, but he was criticized for the team's lack of success in the playoffs, notably losing four straight series against the provincial rival Toronto Maple Leafs. Martin outlasted several general managers and a change in ownership.

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In 1996–97, his first season, the club qualified for the playoffs in the last game of the season,and nearly defeated the Buffalo Sabres in the first round. In 1997–98, the club finished with their first winning record and upset the heavily favoured New Jersey Devils to win their first playoff series.] In 1998–99, the Senators jumped from 14th overall in the previous season to 3rd, with 103 points--the first 100-point season in club history, only to be swept in the first round. In 1999–2000 despite the holdout of team captain Alexei Yashin, Martin guided the team to the playoffs, only to lose to the Maple Leafs in the first 'Battle of Ontario' series. Yashin returned for 2000–01 and the team improved to win their division and place second in the Eastern Conference. Yashin played poorly in another playoff loss to the Maple Leafs and he was traded to the New York Islanders for Zdeno Chara, Bill Muckalt, and a first round pick used to draft Jason Spezza.
Jason Spezza, now Ottawa's top center, was picked with the draft choice received for Alexei Yashin.

Without Yashin, the 2001–02 Senators regular season points total dropped, but in the playoffs, they upset the Philadelphia Flyers for the franchise's second playoff series win. This led to a second round series with Toronto, and the third straight loss to the Maple Leafs. Despite speculation that Martin would be fired, it was GM Marshall Johnston who left, retiring from the team, replaced by John Muckler, the Senators' first with previous GM experience.

In 2002–03 off-ice problems dominated the headlines, as the Senators filed for bankruptcy in mid-season, but continued play after getting emergency financing. Despite the off-ice problems, Ottawa had an outstanding season, placing first overall in the NHL to win the President's Trophy. In the playoffs they came within one game of making it into the finals. Prior to the 2003–04 season, pharmaceutical billionaire Eugene Melnyk would purchase the club to bring financial stability. Martin would guide the team to another good regular season but in the first round the Leafs would again defeat the Senators, leading to Martin's dismissal as management felt that a new coach was required for playoff success.