Management Coach DJ Smith - Part 2

[Gil Gunderson]

From Bruce’s latest article it sounds like Andlauer is going to completely overhaul hockey ops. I’m guessing we see Julien, maybe Roy, behind the bench next season.

 

[JackieDaytona]

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

Not sure why you’d feel the need to disparage this guy of all guys. Despite his tough guy on ice persona, dude is far from a meat head. Smart, well spoken, hard working and a hell of a good person. Teammates loved him. I actually do think highly of what he thinks, his opinion carries water imo.

 

[Mark Stones Spleen]

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).

Any assistant coach that can fix our defensive zone breakdowns and can improve our 5 on 5 production won't want to be an assistant coach taking orders from someone who can't figure that stuff out.

 

[R2010]

Any assistant coach that can fix our defensive zone breakdowns and can improve our 5 on 5 production won't want to be an assistant coach taking orders from someone who can't figure that stuff out.

Needs Jacques as assistant

 

[aragorn]

The players love DJ, he had them playing a very good attack offence & Keith Tkachuk went out of his way to compliment their play & he gets to start this yr with a much better all around team if they can get the goaltending fixed. They are built for the playoffs & should be able to add a couple of players that will help defensively & offensively for next season. Hopefully, both Norris & Formenton will be back & if DBC doesn't sign that they are able to replace him with a young bigger, tougher & hard to play against LWer.

 

[JD1]

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

Julien won a cup with that in Boston

But the game evolves. How it's being played today is different than 2011. You don't see D men loading up for slapshots from the point hoping to get a shot thru on 5 guys collapsed in front of a goalie

Way more east west in the o zone to make goalies move

 

[JD1]

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).

It's Capuano who's in charge of D? I'd like to see him replaced with a Julien or a Jacques Martin type.

Interesting though how highly people in the game speak of DJ.

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

Who cares what random people on the internet think.

Those in the game think highly of DJ
The internet doesn't think highly of DJ

Which actually matters?

 

[Daffy]

It's Capuano who's in charge of D? I'd like to see him replaced with a Julien or a Jacques Martin type.

Interesting though how highly people in the game speak of DJ.


Who cares what random people on the internet think.

Those in the game think highly of DJ
The internet doesn't think highly of DJ

Which actually matters?

All I know is DJ isn't a good coach. He's had more opportunity than he deserves. And of course players like him. He seems like a nice guy and he doesn't hold players accountable.

 

[Golden_Jet]

All I know is DJ isn't a good coach. He's had more opportunity than he deserves. And of course players like him. He seems like a nice guy and he doesn't hold players accountable.

That’s false, the guys say he has a commanding presence,
But ya probably the internet guys know more, than people in the room.

 

[Daffy]

That’s false, the guys say he has a commanding presence,
But ya probably the internet guys know more, than people in the room.

Then why doesn't it translate to success on the ice if he's such a great coach?

 

[Agent Zuuuub]

That’s false, the guys say he has a commanding presence,
But ya probably the internet guys know more, than people in the room.

So commanding that half the players on the team play like it's shinny hockey.

The team is run by the kids.

 

[aragorn]

Then why doesn't it translate to success on the ice if he's such a great coach?

It is translating on the ice they went right to the end of the season with still a chance to make the playoffs, they made a huge jump forward from the previous yr. Injuries especially to both goalies had a lot to do with it especially just before the Western trip is what cost them a playoff spot. They play a very entertaining style & work hard most nights & have improved & added some better players last season that should help them next yr especially if they can also get Formenton & Norris back. The future looks bright for this team.

 

[JD1]

All I know is DJ isn't a good coach. He's had more opportunity than he deserves. And of course players like him. He seems like a nice guy and he doesn't hold players accountable.

How do YOU know that DJ is not a good coach?

He started in junior, won a memorial cup. That's good isn't it?

He got hired in to the NHL by Mike Babcock who at the time was probably the most respected coach in hockey.

He's worked with Team Canada on a few occasions

He's regularly praised by those in the league, by current, former and retired players.

What is it that you know that says he's not a good coach?

 

[Micklebot]

How do YOU know that DJ is not a good coach?

He started in junior, won a memorial cup. That's good isn't it?

He got hired in to the NHL by Mike Babcock who at the time was probably the most respected coach in hockey.

He's worked with Team Canada on a few occasions

He's regularly praised by those in the league, by current, former and retired players.

What is it that you know that says he's not a good coach?

I think it's a bit like the draft pick slated to go high really early on that gets overscrutinized and any flaws get exaggerated

There are certainly some things DJ has done that are questionable (that sounds harsher than I intended, I just mean up for debate), maybe a challenge here, a lineup decision there, and you can look at some of the on ice results and try to attribute it to his system or his ability to get the players to consistently carry out the plan, but I imagine very few around here apply the same scrutiny to other teams coaches, so instead they just take it at face value that whatever coach is good.

There was a time not too long ago when people were highly critical of Maurice as a coach. Now we've got people praising him for having the Panthers playing the right way.

I'm not saying DJ is great, but I do think having a more mature group, less injuries, and solid goaltending, would result in a very different outcome on the ice. If that's the case, then are people really evaluating the coaching, or a collection of elements that just aren't up to par quite yet?

 

[JD1]

I think it's a bit like the draft pick slated to go high really early on that gets overscrutinized and any flaws get exaggerated

There are certainly some things DJ has done that are questionable (that sounds harsher than I intended, I just mean up for debate), maybe a challenge here, a lineup decision there, and you can look at some of the on ice results and try to attribute it to his system or his ability to get the players to consistently carry out the plan, but I imagine very few around here apply the same scrutiny to other teams coaches, so instead they just take it at face value that whatever coach is good.

There was a time not too long ago when people were highly critical of Maurice as a coach. Now we've got people praising him for having the Panthers playing the right way.

I'm not saying DJ is great, but I do think having a more mature group, less injuries, and solid goaltending, would result in a very different outcome on the ice. If that's the case, then are people really evaluating the coaching, or a collection of elements that just aren't up to par quite yet?

I just think it's funny when people within the industry compliment someone from basically every angle and people without that knowledge are emphatic in their opposite belief

It'd be kinda like me criticizing the structural design of 50 story high rise because I built my kid a tree fort.

 

[Bileur]

I just think it's funny when people within the industry compliment someone from basically every angle and people without that knowledge are emphatic in their opposite belief

It'd be kinda like me criticizing the structural design of 50 story high rise because I built my kid a tree fort.

What does the bolded even mean? He’s great at every aspect of coaching? Everyone in the industry agrees he’s good?

I get you don’t agree with people who don’t like him but come on, let’s be real here. His own GM didn’t even give him a solid vote of confidence this off-season.

In trying to argue against people who want a coaching change you’re pretty badly overstating your case.

 

[Ice-Tray]

What does the bolded even mean? He’s great at every aspect of coaching? Everyone in the industry agrees he’s good?

I get you don’t agree with people who don’t like him but come on, let’s be real here. His own GM didn’t even give him a solid vote of confidence this off-season.

In trying to argue against people who want a coaching change you’re pretty badly overstating your case.

That’s not true at all. PD said that DJ has done everything asked of him During his tenure, including this year.

He said that he was going to make his recommendations to the incoming ownership rather than talk about it in the media.

Obviously he can’t give any votes of confidence to any staff member because they could all be out of a job shortly, him most likely of them all. Common sense unless….

The problem as always is discussing topics with people who work over time to twist everything into some sort of negative, purposefully ignoring opinions of people in the know if the opinions don’t fit the narrative.

Instead of deferring to the opinions of experts, this board has simply become the experts.

 

[Bileur]

That’s not true at all. PD said that DJ has done everything asked of him During his tenure, including this year.

He said that he was going to make his recommendations to the incoming ownership rather than talk about it in the media.

Obviously he can’t give any votes of confidence to any staff member because they could all be out of a job shortly, him most likely of them all. Common sense unless….

The problem as always is discussing topics with people who work over time to twist everything into some sort of negative, purposefully ignoring opinions of people in the know if the opinions don’t fit the narrative.

Instead of deferring to the opinions of experts, this board has simply become the experts.

Lol. Tell yourself whatever you need to sleep at night. We all heard his comments.

In six months Dorion went from this:

“One thing about Pierre Dorion is Pierre Dorion is very loyal. D.J. has done a good job. He’s shown that he can win. I’m not giving votes of confidence or anything I think that’s foolish. D.J. is our coach. He’s going to be our coach. I have faith in how this team plays under D.J. »

GARRIOCH: GM Pierre Dorion says 'D.J. Smith is our coach. He's going to be our coach'

GARRIOCH: GM Pierre Dorion says 'D.J. Smith is our coach. He's going to be our coach'

ottawasun.com

To this :

“I’m going to sit down over the next little while, debate everything internally. But I think what we’ve asked of (Smith), he has delivered on and at that point in time, I will make my recommendation to new ownership.”

Dorion makes his case to sell himself to incoming ownership, but Smith's status uncertain

Senators GM Pierre Dorion says the Senators are in a sound position after six years of a rebuild as he sells himself to new ownership

ottawasun.com

He could have easily said « I said in November that DJ is going to be our coach and that I have faith in how the team plays under DJ, that is still true today ». He said something very different.

 

[Ice-Tray]

Lol. Tell yourself whatever you need to sleep at night. We all heard his comments.

In six months Dorion went from this:

“One thing about Pierre Dorion is Pierre Dorion is very loyal. D.J. has done a good job. He’s shown that he can win. I’m not giving votes of confidence or anything I think that’s foolish. D.J. is our coach. He’s going to be our coach. I have faith in how this team plays under D.J. »

GARRIOCH: GM Pierre Dorion says 'D.J. Smith is our coach. He's going to be our coach'

GARRIOCH: GM Pierre Dorion says 'D.J. Smith is our coach. He's going to be our coach'

ottawasun.com

To this :

“I’m going to sit down over the next little while, debate everything internally. But I think what we’ve asked of (Smith), he has delivered on and at that point in time, I will make my recommendation to new ownership.”

Dorion makes his case to sell himself to incoming ownership, but Smith's status uncertain

Senators GM Pierre Dorion says the Senators are in a sound position after six years of a rebuild as he sells himself to new ownership

ottawasun.com

He could have easily said « I said in November that DJ is going to be our coach and that I have faith in how the team plays under DJ, that is still true today ». He said something very different.

Oh, no no, I was telling you actually, I thought that was obvious.

It’s almost like you identified a guy comfortable in his position shifting to a guy entering the period of complete uncertainty, while completely missing the point.

You also seem to be able to post the shift from openly sharing opinions, to saying little and talking about making recommendations, without understanding what’s happening.

That’s ok, it’s not possible for many folks to be rational when it comes to talking about the current GM.

I’ll say one thing though, I bet DJ is totally fine with PD not hitching his wagon to the coach on what may be his last days as GM of the team. Better to get his recommendation in private, without a public endorsement from the outgoing GM. Makes being able to stay on easier should the new front office folk like what he’s done But want to “clean house”.

 

[Bileur]

Oh, no no, I was telling you actually, I thought that was obvious.

It’s almost like you identified a guy comfortable in his position shifting to a guy entering the period of complete uncertainty, while completely missing the point.

You also seem to be able to post the shift from openly sharing opinions, to saying little and talking about making recommendations, without understanding what’s happening.

That’s ok, it’s not possible for many folks to be rational when it comes to talking about the current GM.

I’ll say one thing though, I bet DJ is totally fine with PD not hitching his wagon to the coach on what may be his last days as GM of the team. Better to get his recommendation in private, without a public endorsement from the outgoing GM. Makes being able to stay on easier should the new front office folk like what he’s done But want to “clean house”.

I was wondering which direction you were going to take this. Must be uncomfortable for you having to defend Dorion and DJ while they don’t seem to be seeing eye to eye as much as they used to.

Spin it all you want. Dorion’s comments are making it clear he and DJ aren’t necessarily a package deal. Maybe he’s just not as loyal to DJ as you are.

 

[Silencio]

Lol. Tell yourself whatever you need to sleep at night. We all heard his comments.

In six months Dorion went from this:

“One thing about Pierre Dorion is Pierre Dorion is very loyal. D.J. has done a good job. He’s shown that he can win. I’m not giving votes of confidence or anything I think that’s foolish. D.J. is our coach. He’s going to be our coach. I have faith in how this team plays under D.J. »

GARRIOCH: GM Pierre Dorion says 'D.J. Smith is our coach. He's going to be our coach'

GARRIOCH: GM Pierre Dorion says 'D.J. Smith is our coach. He's going to be our coach'

ottawasun.com

To this :

“I’m going to sit down over the next little while, debate everything internally. But I think what we’ve asked of (Smith), he has delivered on and at that point in time, I will make my recommendation to new ownership.”

Dorion makes his case to sell himself to incoming ownership, but Smith's status uncertain

Senators GM Pierre Dorion says the Senators are in a sound position after six years of a rebuild as he sells himself to new ownership

ottawasun.com

He could have easily said « I said in November that DJ is going to be our coach and that I have faith in how the team plays under DJ, that is still true today ». He said something very different.

We’ve all seen countless examples of coaches getting a “vote of confidence “ from their GM only to be canned shortly after. So I’m not sure Dorion’s direct praise of DJ or lack thereof should be taken as a definitive sign of his continued employment.

 

[JD1]

What does the bolded even mean? He’s great at every aspect of coaching? Everyone in the industry agrees he’s good?

I get you don’t agree with people who don’t like him but come on, let’s be real here. His own GM didn’t even give him a solid vote of confidence this off-season.

In trying to argue against people who want a coaching change you’re pretty badly overstating your case.

What I meant by the bolded is

Other NHL coaches, current players and former players all speak very highly of DJ. It would be very easy for retired guys like Boro or Ryan to say something very generic like "maybe it's time for a change"

The case to move on from Smith is entirely based in his winning percentage which quite admittedly is not good. The counter to that is assessing whether he had a roster capable of posting a winning record. Apart from this past season, objectively he did not. This past season, I think the pundit community had us finishing close to but outside the playoffs. Personally I figured if everything went well, we had a shot. But everything didn't go well. Losing Norris early f***ed the entire season.

Coaches usually get fired when:

1. There's an expectation of having some success that isn't hit
2. When they've lost the room
3. Lately there's been a few canned for personal transgressions

None of these apply to Smith.

 

[Bileur]

We’ve all seen countless examples of coaches getting a “vote of confidence “ from their GM only to be canned shortly after. So I’m not sure Dorion’s direct praise of DJ or lack thereof should be taken as a definitive sign of his continued employment.

It’s not, it’s confirmation that he isn’t getting praise from all angles.

 

[Golden_Jet]

It’s not, it’s confirmation that he isn’t getting praise from all angles.

No it’s not lol

 

[Mark Stones Spleen]

How do YOU know that DJ is not a good coach?

He started in junior, won a memorial cup. That's good isn't it?

He got hired in to the NHL by Mike Babcock who at the time was probably the most respected coach in hockey.

He's worked with Team Canada on a few occasions

He's regularly praised by those in the league, by current, former and retired players.

What is it that you know that says he's not a good coach?

If everyone thought he was spectacular, he wouldn't have settled for a HC position on a budget team, likely paying him less than most of the other HCs in the league. There should have been a bidding war for him, and Eugene doesn't overpay for anything.

I very much believe that he's not a good HC but could be great as an assistant coach, and there's nothing wrong with that. Our team was too good on paper to have such a garbage 5 on 5 goal differential.