Management Coach DJ Smith - Part 2

[Ghost of Jody Hull]

That's not exactly what he said.

What he said was

"I know every time I come and watch Ottawa, they may not be the most talented team but they’re going to play hard"

So what he actually said has a bit of a different spin to it that what you're looking to do.

Back to my point about listening to opposing teams analysts... we've got a 500 goal scorer quoted as saying "they're going to play hard" and we've got guys on here clamouring for toughness because we need to be harder to play against at the same time as being ok getting rid of a guy that's a top 15 goal scorer over and extended period of time.

"Playing hard" and "being hard to play against" aren't exactly the same thing. I don't think anyone denies that Ottawa's players, for the most part, play with a lot of effort. There aren't many nights where you can say that they didn't show up and try. That's what Keith Tkachuk is saying, I think. We show up, and that's great.

Erik Brannstrom, for example, plays hard. The guy, everytime I watch him, is balls to the wall. But he's not hard to play against.

Same with Debrincat. He's not a floater. He works out there. But he's not hard to play against.

 

[JD1]

"Playing hard" and "being hard to play against" aren't exactly the same thing. I don't think anyone denies that Ottawa's players, for the most part, play with a lot of effort. There aren't many nights where you can say that they didn't show up and try. That's what Keith Tkachuk is saying, I think. We show up, and that's great.

Erik Brannstrom, for example, plays hard. The guy, everytime I watch him, is balls to the wall. But he's not hard to play against.

Same with Debrincat. He's not a floater. He works out there. But he's not hard to play against.

Well you completely bungled his quote so...

You mention the two smallest guys we've got...and they both play hard... when your small guys play hard and you're 2nd in the league in assists...that probably falls into being hard to play against

 

[Ghost of Jody Hull]

Well you completely bungled his quote so...

You mention the two smallest guys we've got...and they both play hard... when your small guys play hard and you're 2nd in the league in assists...that probably falls into being hard to play against

I think the Debrincat - Pinto - Batherson line was one of the easiest for other teams to play against, and they got caved in quite often. So we'll disagree on that.

This team has a very good work ethic. It needs to become harder to play against.

Even if he wanted to re-sign, considering the salary he's asking for, I'd have no real interest in bringing him back. We can find a better complement to Norris-Batherson for a cheaper price and use the savings to fill out our depth.

On that line, I want someone who'll go into corners and get the puck and get it to Batherson and Norris. That's not Debrincat.

 

[JD1]

I think the Debrincat - Pinto - Batherson line was one of the easiest for other teams to play against, and they got caved in quite often. So we'll disagree on that.

This team has a very good work ethic. It needs to become harder to play against.

Even if he wanted to re-sign, considering the salary he's asking for, I'd have no real interest in bringing him back. We can find a better complement to Norris-Batherson for a cheaper price and use the savings to fill out our depth.

On that line, I want someone who'll go into corners and get the puck and get it to Batherson and Norris. That's not Debrincat.

A rookie centre playing 2C with an injured right winger got caved. Does that surprise you?

DeBrincat has the best pedigree of the 3 as a goal scorer. How about we get someone that can get him the puck?

 

[Ghost of Jody Hull]

A rookie centre playing 2C with an injured right winger got caved. Does that surprise you?

DeBrincat has the best pedigree of the 3 as a goal scorer. How about we get someone that can get him the puck?

I don't think it's wise to spend 8M+ for a one-dimensional 2nd line winger who needs someone to get him the puck, so that's where we'll disagree. If you want 8M, you should lift your line and drive play.

If he wanted 5.5M? A Jared McCann like contract? Sure. I'd pay him what a good complementary player gets paid, because that's what he is.

Debrincat not wanting to be here is a positive in the long run. That money can be better spent.

 

[Cosmix]

Well you completely bungled his quote so...

You mention the two smallest guys we've got...and they both play hard... when your small guys play hard and you're 2nd in the league in assists...that probably falls into being hard to play against

What does "play hard" mean? And what does "hard to play against" mean?

Plays Hard - fast skater who forechecks and back checks quickly & physically?

Hard to Play Against - very strong defensively, covers his man well to prevent attacking the net and prevent passes connecting?

 

[Sens of Anarchy]

What does "play hard" mean? And what does "hard to play against" mean?

Plays Hard - fast skater who forechecks and back checks quickly & physically?

Hard to Play Against - very strong defensively, covers his man well to prevent attacking the net and prevent passes connecting?

Where does Plays Hard differ from Tries Hard?

 

[Cosmix]

Where does Plays Hard differ from Tries Hard?

Maybe it's "physicality" as in bodychecking.

 

[BonHoonLayneCornell]

Where does Plays Hard differ from Tries Hard?

110% > 100%

 

[Ghost of Jody Hull]

 

[DJB]

YES YES YESSS!!!

 

[Micklebot]

I like Julien, but I have zero idea whether or not Staios would be good or not.

 

[JD1]

What does "play hard" mean? And what does "hard to play against" mean?

Plays Hard - fast skater who forechecks and back checks quickly & physically?

Hard to Play Against - very strong defensively, covers his man well to prevent attacking the net and prevent passes connecting?

Hmmm....idk if auto correct bungled what I typed or my mind was wandering. What I meant was 2nd in the league in hits. When you're constantly getting hit, the team you're playing is hard to play against. We've got some big guys that hit on the forecheck. We've got some open ice hitters in guys like Kelly ( who I don't like) and guys that battle in our end.

Brannstrom is small by NHL standards, but he battles and wins his share of battles

 

[LevelingSolo]

Would be down for Claude, team hasn't had an experienced voice in years

 

[TheKingOfKapuskasing]

On TSN Dregwr just said one of the three bidders remaining is interested in bringing in Patrick Roy. My guess is Andlauer.

Owner should not have control over the coach but i understand the appeal

 

[Micklebot]

Owner should not have control over the coach but i understand the appeal

Well, the owner hires the GM, if they already have their GM lined up, that GM may have recommended a coaching target.

 

[bicboi64]

Not that it matters, but does Staois have any past connections to Ottawa via playing or family?

 

[Agent Zuuuub]

Roy or Julien would take none of this cheat for offense mentality we have going.

 

[DJB]

Roy or Julien would take none of this cheat for offense mentality we have going.

That is the style that DJ wants. The players follow suit


And Julien doesn’t employ that strategy he has everyone collapsing in the D zone helping out

 

[Mark Stones Spleen]

That is the style that DJ wants. The players follow suit


And Julien doesn’t employ that strategy he has everyone collapsing in the D zone helping out

Oh you don't prefer DJ's Homer Simpson strategy? LW, you vibrate this way; Centre you just spin around in a circle.

All forwards, as soon as we get possession, skate forward as fast as possible so our D have nobody to pass it to.

 

[Ice-Tray]

Oh you don't prefer DJ's Homer Simpson strategy? LW, you vibrate this way; Centre you just spin around in a circle.

All forwards, as soon as we get possession, skate forward as fast as possible so our D have nobody to pass it to.

Eye roll…..

 

[Golden_Jet]

Bobby and Boro on coming in hot, really went out of their way to be complimentary of DJ, has a commanding way, and he is the kind of coach you want to go through the wall for. Suggested/ hinted at changing assistant(s).

 

[Beech]

Eye roll…..

hey ice-tray,

say in very late November, game 20.. The Sens are 11-8-1.. 23 points.. About to finish another first 1/3 of a season against weaker opponents. So, they are on the cusp of entering the middle 1/3 of the season, when the quality of their opponents goes up and they are now taken a tad more serious.. how do you feel?

what then??? stay the course and you risk a 88-94 point season.. anything from a just miss to just make it...

Are you not risking, burning another season??

do people want to roll a dice on an 9-10-1, 11-8-1 or an 12-7-1... 3 wins will pretty much dictate the season.. and so, do you roll the dice on this coach?

 

[Daffy]

Bobby and Boro on coming in hot, really went out of their way to be complimentary of DJ, has a commanding way, and he is the kind of coach you want to go through the wall for. Suggested/ hinted at changing assistant(s).

Who cares what Boro thinks. He was a garbage player. Thinks the world of himself tho as a "glue guy."

 

[Ice-Tray]

hey ice-tray,

say in very late November, game 20.. The Sens are 11-8-1.. 23 points.. About to finish another first 1/3 of a season against weaker opponents. So, they are on the cusp of entering the middle 1/3 of the season, when the quality of their opponents goes up and they are now taken a tad more serious.. how do you feel?

what then??? stay the course and you risk a 88-94 point season.. anything from a just miss to just make it...

Are you not risking, burning another season??

do people want to roll a dice on an 9-10-1, 11-8-1 or an 12-7-1... 3 wins will pretty much dictate the season.. and so, do you roll the dice on this coach?

I’m not against moves Beech, I just want them to make sense.

The team wasn’t poorly coached this year, most people simply don’t know what they are looking at.

No ember was rough for explained reasons, and we went on a nice tear for months after.

I’m fine if sensible decisions are made in regards to coaching and managing, but those types of decisions aren't what generally pass around in here.

As for you hypothetical….. so we have a winning record and now we’re worried? Relax, watch the games, enjoy the ride.