Confirmed with Link: DJ Smith fired, Jacques Martin in as interim, Alfie as assistant

[Alf Silfversson]

I believe he said the system was fine, not the structure, there's a substantial difference.

Their system of breaking out is noticeably different already though. So is their neutral zone D.

Martin is a classy guy and didn't want to publicly put down DJ Smith.

 

[Burrowsaurus]

I believe he said the system was fine, not the structure, there's a substantial difference.

Oh there is?

Alright. So he changed the neutral zone system or the neutral zone structure?

Kinda sounding synonymous

Norris says the breakouts have changed. The structure on our breakouts? The systems of the breakouts? I think we’re splitting hairs.

 

[Micklebot]

Their system of breaking out is noticeably different already though. So is their neutral zone D.

Martin is a classy guy and didn't want to publicly put down DJ Smith.

When he said the system was good, it was unprompted, nothing to do with not wanting to publicly put down DJ, he was asked what he was going to work on, highlighted some positives then moved on to discussing what he planned to address.

Also, just because he's made changes doesn't mean he thought the old system wasn't a good system either, every coach will want to adapt things and make them their own, tweak aspects that other teams have adapted to, and try and adapt to what other teams are doing. What is noticable to me though is regardless of what aspect of our system we look at, there appears to be more attention to the details, less shortcuts being taken.

 

[Micklebot]

Oh there is?

Alright. So he changed the neutral zone system or the neutral zone structure?

Kinda sounding synonymous

Norris says the breakouts have changed. The structure on our breakouts? The systems of the breakouts? I think we’re splitting hairs.

If you don't understand the difference between a system, and structure, idk what to tell you. A system, or rather the systems used by teams can be charted out, drawn out and explained. They describe the type of forcheck, NZ play, and DZ play a team uses. Playing with structure is more about how regimented you are in using those systems. Does the team stick to the system or are there constant breakdowns, are they ad-libing or sticking with the plan.

Think of systems as a set of instructions and structure as defining how well you follow the instructions.

 

[DaveMatthew]

I believe he said the system was fine, not the structure, there's a substantial difference.

He didn’t say the system was fine, he said he wouldn’t make immediate changes since he took over in the middle of a road trip with minimal practice time on the horizon and it’s what the players were comfortable with.

He said he’d make some minor adjustments right away (specifically in the neutral zone) while larger changes would come over time.

 

[Micklebot]

He didn’t say the system was fine, he said he wouldn’t make immediate changes since he took over in the middle of a road trip with minimal practice time on the horizon and it’s what the players were comfortable with.

He said he’d make some minor adjustments right away (specifically in the neutral zone) while larger changes would come over time.

Your thinking of a different interview that came later than the one I'm referencing, one of his first interviews on TSN1200 when he was hired (not when DJ was fired but when he came on as a consultant) he was asked what he was going to do to help the team, he then specifically said they had good systems, then went on to talk about what he would help them address.

 

[Tuna99]

I don’t think Brady and Timmy are selfish, I think they are like Soezza in

When he said the system was good, it was unprompted, nothing to do with not wanting to publicly put down DJ, he was asked what he was going to work on, highlighted some positives then moved on to discussing what he planned to address.

Also, just because he's made changes doesn't mean he thought the old system wasn't a good system either, every coach will want to adapt things and make them their own, tweak aspects that other teams have adapted to, and try and adapt to what other teams are doing. What is noticable to me though is regardless of what aspect of our system we look at, there appears to be more attention to the details, less shortcuts being taken.

DJ played Mike Babcoks system and Jacaues Martin plays the Martin/Hitchcock system. Babcock allows cherry picking, Martin does not

 

[Burrowsaurus]

If you don't understand the difference between a system, and structure, idk what to tell you. A system, or rather the systems used by teams can be charted out, drawn out and explained. They describe the type of forcheck, NZ play, and DZ play a team uses. Playing with structure is more about how regimented you are in using those systems. Does the team stick to the system or are there constant breakdowns, are they ad-libing or sticking with the plan.

Think of systems as a set of instructions and structure as defining how well you follow the instructions.

Ok.

So did he change the neutral zone system. Or the neutral zone structure.

Has the structure of our breakout changed or has the system on the breakouts changed.

Maybe both changed. But that would imply that the structure or systems were in fact..not fine.

 

[SanderSen]

Yorkie mentions the difference in stretching the zone vs playing closer together to move the puck out and up the ice 43 minutes in


Interesting comments on how a guy like Gudbranson would look here now. Can't say I disagree.

Thanks for posting this. I had not listened to their show before, it was very good. With respect to the stretching and playing closer together, there were good comments that basically before forwards were tearing up the ice as soon as possible and that created huge gaps. JM has them doing it much more controlled and staying in touch so there are many more 3 to 4 foot passes and control.

That will be a work in progress but just seems like such a basic fundamental it is sad it has to be learnt at this stage.

 

[Micklebot]

Ok.

So did he change the neutral zone system. Or the neutral zone structure.

Has the structure of our breakout changed or has the system on the breakouts changed.

Maybe both changed. But that would imply that the structure or systems were in fact..not fine.

Well the structure to me is notably improved (or at least more consistent). We still make mistakes though, guys coming too far over chasing the play or doing somebody else's job, with time that should continue to improve

There have also been some changes in the system which players have talked about.

Every coach will change systems to their preferences, and adapt them as the year goes on, that's not an indication that the system isn't good, if Jacques took over in Boston, Florida or NY he'd change their systems too, there isn't one right system, so a coach can think a team has a good system, but still run a different one if they take over.

 

[dumbdick]

I really like bobby ryan as a broadcast guy. Nice guy who doesn't hold back and speaks his mind. Super relatable dude. Love that he's doing the sens stuff now. Excellent replacement for Meth with Wallace

 

[Alf Silfversson]

Well the structure to me is notably improved (or at least more consistent). We still make mistakes though, guys coming too far over chasing the play or doing somebody else's job, with time that should continue to improve

There have also been some changes in the system which players have talked about.

Every coach will change systems to their preferences, and adapt them as the year goes on, that's not an indication that the system isn't good, if Jacques took over in Boston, Florida or NY he'd change their systems too, there isn't one right system, so a coach can think a team has a good system, but still run a different one if they take over.

Come on. Jacques would not take over in NY, BOS or FLA because they are successful.

He paid lip service to DJ and has since gone about changing the way the team plays. He clearly thought the team's lack of success, and the way to improvement, was tied to some of the systems and schemes the the team played.

 

[Ice-Tray]

JM was definitely being polite and being a good team guy in my opinion.

He and Alfie have already been non stop teaching during, after, before games.

JM talked about tweaks at first, which has grown to a change in neutral zone play, breakouts, mentality of the play, and focus on details and fundamentals.

All of that sounds like major changes over all to how the team plays, and obviously there is more to come in the off season if he’s still coaching.

He said one thing, but thought another is what it looks like to me. It was to be expected in my opinion, as that’s what new coaches tend to do.

 

[Boud]

This team needs to play like the Flyers.

They give full effort at all times. They play hard and with pace.

Tortorella has done an incredible job with that team. Everyone is on the same page.

 

[Loach]

Another level? If getting some bounces foe once and the odd save is "another level" well , don't know what to tell you. They got lucky. Batherson and Norris have bought in, but Tim and Brady have not and their selfish ways will continue to hurt this team


Brady fake tries in the d zone. It is not sincere or legit. He knows what he has to do. A few times he blew right by a man leaving the zone, wtf is that and how is it too much? More than a few times he was beside a teammate. Well guess which point is open? It is a joke that it has been allowed to persist as long as it has.

Jacques will get through to him, or only put him in places where he won't hurt the team

Another level. We have many more Another Levels that we can get to. He's not wrong and you aren't either. Think about it. The Sens have about 5 other levels. Lol.

 

[guyzeur]

There's now way Alfie will be replacing Dorion now that I'm seeing him behind the bench.

He's still has too much fire in him to be that far away from the ice, he's going to be our next coach!

 

[JD1]

Hopefully the years of hiring coaches with little to no NHL head coaching experience is coming to an end.

5 of the last 8 cup winners were coached by guys with no NHL head coaching experience prior to getting a shot and winning the cup.

Sullivan
Bednar
Cooper

 

[Micklebot]

Come on. Jacques would not take over in NY, BOS or FLA because they are successful.

Missing the point.

He paid lip service to DJ and has since gone about changing the way the team plays. He clearly thought the team's lack of success, and the way to improvement, was tied to some of the systems and schemes the the team played.

Every coach changes the systems, the teams issues run deeper than systems, he had them practicing line changes for God's sake, systems aren't a secrete sauce, ours weren't unique. That's the point.

 

[Do Make Say Think]

I really like bobby ryan as a broadcast guy. Nice guy who doesn't hold back and speaks his mind. Super relatable dude. Love that he's doing the sens stuff now. Excellent replacement for Meth with Wallace

He's an easy guy to cheer for for sure.

 

[SanderSen]

5 of the last 8 cup winners were coached by guys with no NHL head coaching experience prior to getting a shot and winning the cup.

Sullivan
Bednar
Cooper

Fair enough. In Ottawa we have had too many on the job training situations lately that have not worked out, and for where the team is at now an experienced hand taking over the ship seems like the right move to make.

A side benefit is the fan base has calmed down and the interest in the team is on the rise again.

 

[Tuna99]

5 of the last 8 cup winners were coached by guys with no NHL head coaching experience prior to getting a shot and winning the cup.

Sullivan
Bednar
Cooper

But all those coaches improved their teams each season to become Cup winners.

If DJ Smith was in a playoff spot or within 6 points he doesn’t get fired. A week before DJ was fired he gave an interview about the team being ready to take off and they lost 5 of 6.

Just to see the improved play under Mattin in 4 games makes you realize DJ wasnt ever going to get it together with this team

 

[guyzeur]

Missing the point.

Every coach changes the systems, the teams issues run deeper than systems, he had them practicing line changes for God's sake, systems aren't a secrete sauce, ours weren't unique. That's the point.

It was a stroke of genius to practice line change: when you're new somewhere you make sure to make easy win to gain their trust and built confidence

 

[JD1]

Lots of guys saying play has improved under Martin.

I agree the team needed a change and I'm 100% good with Martin taking over and Alfie onboard

But what data shows improved play? What eye test? There's been some tweaks to the system that are somewhat evident but has that resulted in improved results?

We blew two multi goal leads and didn't get a point in either. We beat an awful penguins team in OT after blowing a two goal lead and that first period against Toronto was f***ing terrible. Great comeback win, but we were terrible and "not ready to play" which is something the former regime was heavily criticized for.

 

[armani]

Thanks for posting this. I had not listened to their show before, it was very good. With respect to the stretching and playing closer together, there were good comments that basically before forwards were tearing up the ice as soon as possible and that created huge gaps. JM has them doing it much more controlled and staying in touch so there are many more 3 to 4 foot passes and control.

That will be a work in progress but just seems like such a basic fundamental it is sad it has to be learnt at this stage.

Luckily, this is such a young core, fundamentals are teachable and Jacques Martin is a great teacher. Alfie too by the looks and sounds of it.

 

[Bileur]

Lots of guys saying play has improved under Martin.

I agree the team needed a change and I'm 100% good with Martin taking over and Alfie onboard

But what data shows improved play? What eye test? There's been some tweaks to the system that are somewhat evident but has that resulted in improved results?

We blew two multi goal leads and didn't get a point in either. We beat an awful penguins team in OT after blowing a two goal lead and that first period against Toronto was f***ing terrible. Great comeback win, but we were terrible and "not ready to play" which is something the former regime was heavily criticized for.

I think it’s tough to point to « results » after 4 games but if you’ve been reading the thread tons of improvements have been identified.

Full assessment of results will take a larger sample. Still lots of bright spots.

Minor compared to the rest but JBD has looked a lot better too.

Hopefully the right call is made when Chabot is back

Yorkie agrees with you. He mentioned Batherson and Norris as the two most improved since Jacques has come in. I think they were the most receptive and mentioned it a couple games back. Tkachuk and Stutzle to me are the guys that took the coaching change the hardest .. they loved DJ. I think it will take them a little longer based on how much DJ relied on them, propped them up and how much free reign they got. Just my slant. I also think we will start to see some adjustments with Stutzle. Tkachuk's major strengths will continue to be there below the dots in the Ozone but he has ground to cover to improve defensively; but also to play with more discipline on the "do your job" mantra in the Dzone.

Yorkie mentions the difference in stretching the zone vs playing closer together to move the puck out and up the ice 43 minutes in


Interesting comments on how a guy like Gudbranson would look here now. Can't say I disagree.

This isn't even something exclusive that JM would do. It's something any NHL calibre coach would do. It's going to take a lot of time to undo shite culture DJ created, but there's hope!

Josh Norris comments; "...Since Jacque's been here; They've done an awesome job of teaching and making sure we understand how we want to play; Communication has been a big key. I think we are breaking the puck out a lot better. We are just more connected. We are not blowing the zone as much. When you have 5 guys in the picture and you know that you have support it makes it a little bit easier when you do have the puck; you have options. I think that's been a big focus."

Norris: We stayed composed and played a pretty solid 40 minutes

Sens forward Josh Norris addresses the media on Thursday, December 28th, 2023.

www.tsn.ca

Thought Ottawa really battled well along the boards once the 1st was over. Our wall play is much improved. Seem to be more confident just playing 50/50 shifts the under DJ, the “learn to fight another day and trust we’ll get the puck back” philosophy has taken hold. Team needed it badly

Their system of breaking out is noticeably different already though. So is their neutral zone D.

Martin is a classy guy and didn't want to publicly put down DJ Smith.

I don’t think it’s particularly fair to raise the fact that Pittsburgh is a terrible team while not mentioning that they are way ahead of the sens, that the leafs are a playoff team and that the sens two losses under Martin came to two playoff teams including a division leader/cup contender.