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

[Xspyrit]

It's an optimism bias until the W/L record says otherwise

It's not bias at all, it's factual. Have they played their best hockey this season? Clearly not, but they have been saddled on a team directed by amateurs for years, so it's not all surprising, I have said it multiple times the last 4 years that this team wouldn't reach their potential with DJ Dorion.

All of Giroux, Stutzle, Tkachuk, Chabot, Chychrun have a solid top line/pair track record, not even debatable.

Now regarding Jake Sanderson, some opinions may vary because of a very short track record but for anyone who has a bit of hockey savvy, we know he is our most talented D-man and has Elite potential.

Finally, Norris and Batherson... I mean, only 16 guys have scored more goals per game than Norris since 2021-22... If that's not top line quality, then I don't know what it is.

Batherson... 44 pts in 46 games in 2021-22, 29 pts in 32 games this season, look at his skillset, not a top line forward quality? You can keep your "opinion" if you want but stop trying to make it seem like I my post was "biased" lol... I think you got more surprised by all the facts that demonstrated my statement and had nothing else than the team record to reply.

The original post said we had 5 top line players. 3 top pair D.

Lots of teams struggle to find 6 top 6 type players. But we've got 5 top line players

Lots of teams struggle to have a legit top 4 D. But we've got 3 legit top pair guys.

We're not winning. That's what matters.

Like you have been explained, all it does is showing that Pierre Dorion and DJ Smith have FAILED to produce a better team.

The quality of a team is not just a paper thing, you also need better support players, better role players, a better system, structure, puck support, chemistry, luck with health etc.

You are just avoiding the reality because it doesn't fit your narrative, and then you talk about bias lol

Even if you were "right", it'd put even more light on how BAD of a GM Dorion was... How can you not collect top players after years of sucking and maybe the greatest wealth of all time to start a FULL rebuild? I mean, anyone could have amassed this, and many would have done better considering we basically don't have anything to show for Zibanejad, Duchene, Stone, Hoffman, Dzingel, Ceci, 10th OA pick in 2021, 7th OA in 2022, etc

 

[Xspyrit]

I thought Forsberg's 3 stars interview last night was interesting in that he said they need to play with more "Structure" specifically. As hot of a buzzword as it became, it's interesting to hear the exact term out of one of the horses' mouths.

As a goalie for long decades now, I can testify that it must be hell for Sens goalies to play behind such a mess. There's not much you can do when you're left out to dry too many times in a game. You can steal a few ones but at some point, it will start going in. Any goalie who has played for a long time has played on various and can easily see the difference behind a messy team defense and a structured one.

It has nothing to do with the shot count or even scoring chances... The last game was a good example, many shots against, many scoring chances but only gift wrapped one goal against, Forsberg had a chance to make all the saves and he did. It must have been a breathe of fresh air.

Brannstrom does not look happy at all that he's playing forward. Hobestly can't blame him. Weird situation for a guy who'll be looking at a contract for next season. If he was playing on a team like Chicago he would have a lot more opportunity to get playing time and make his mark.

I think when Pinto's back he's the odd man out, especially if Pinto is signing his QO.

Kubalik should already be gone, horrible metrics, horrible production, doesn't fit at all, isn't a need at all.

 

[Sens of Anarchy]

They cover some ground in this one including Brannstrom playing forward and TOI changes we are seeing .. A little specific criticism A little specific praise.

Worth a listen

 

[Golden_Jet]

Upcoming roadtrip: Van, Sea, Edm, Cgy, Buf. Except for the Van game, these are all winnable games against non playoff teams. Win 4/5 and we're back to .500.

That would be one game under 500

 

[JD1]

It's not bias at all, it's factual. Have they played their best hockey this season? Clearly not, but they have been saddled on a team directed by amateurs for years, so it's not all surprising, I have said it multiple times the last 4 years that this team wouldn't reach their potential with DJ Dorion.

All of Giroux, Stutzle, Tkachuk, Chabot, Chychrun have a solid top line/pair track record, not even debatable.

Now regarding Jake Sanderson, some opinions may vary because of a very short track record but for anyone who has a bit of hockey savvy, we know he is our most talented D-man and has Elite potential.

Finally, Norris and Batherson... I mean, only 16 guys have scored more goals per game than Norris since 2021-22... If that's not top line quality, then I don't know what it is.

Batherson... 44 pts in 46 games in 2021-22, 29 pts in 32 games this season, look at his skillset, not a top line forward quality? You can keep your "opinion" if you want but stop trying to make it seem like I my post was "biased" lol... I think you got more surprised by all the facts that demonstrated my statement and had nothing else than the team record to reply.



Like you have been explained, all it does is showing that Pierre Dorion and DJ Smith have FAILED to produce a better team.

The quality of a team is not just a paper thing, you also need better support players, better role players, a better system, structure, puck support, chemistry, luck with health etc.

You are just avoiding the reality because it doesn't fit your narrative, and then you talk about bias lol

Even if you were "right", it'd put even more light on how BAD of a GM Dorion was... How can you not collect top players after years of sucking and maybe the greatest wealth of all time to start a FULL rebuild? I mean, anyone could have amassed this, and many would have done better considering we basically don't have anything to show for Zibanejad, Duchene, Stone, Hoffman, Dzingel, Ceci, 10th OA pick in 2021, 7th OA in 2022, etc

You're the guy that talks repeatedly about Dorion being a bad GM.

So, in a league where teams struggle to have 6 legitimate top 6 players, we have 5 legitimate top 3 players.

And in that very same league, teams struggle to put together 4 top 4 defencemen but we've actually got 3 top 2 defenceman

How is that possible given we had a horrible GM for years?

Doesn't that seem odd to you? League worst GM assembles more high end talent that literally any team in the league?

 

[PoutineSp00nZ]

No doubt. And his existence would have been threatening to Dorion.

I think that's the main reason.

 

[swiftwin]

 

[Ghost of Jody Hull]

It wasn't Dorion, because this was a well-constructed team and the hockey decisions he made were right.
It wasn't the coach, because so far, Jacques has fared the same as DJ.
It's not the players, because they're all super talented and Dorion did not draft or acquire bad players.
It's not the culture, because the vibes are strong and the players like each other.
It's not the effort, because these players don't "cheat on effort", not with Brady, the great leader that he is, as captain.

What is it? Ghosts?

 

[swiftwin]

It wasn't Dorion, because this was a well-constructed team and the hockey decisions he made were right.
It wasn't the coach, because so far, Jacques has fared the same as DJ.
It's not the players, because they're all super talented and Dorion did not draft or acquire bad players.
It's not the culture, because the vibes are strong and the players like each other.
It's not the effort, because these players don't cheat on effort, not with Brady, the great leader that he is, as captain.

What is it? Ghosts?

Weird that you got all of that from a Martian Twitter post.

 

[Sens of Anarchy]

 

[Ghost of Jody Hull]

Weird that you got all of that from a Martian Twitter post.

I'm just curious what the problem is. I honestly don't know.

Dorion and DJ are gone, and we still suck. Can I blame Tkachuk and Stützle, or are they not the issue either?

 

[swiftwin]

I'm just curious what the problem is. I honestly don't know.

Dorion and DJ are gone, and we still suck. Can I blame Tkachuk and Stützle, or are they not the issue either?

I don't know either.

This roster was better last season

 

[Ghost of Jody Hull]

I don't know either.

This roster was better last season

Through 33 games this year: 14-19-0 - 28 pts
Through 33 games last year: 14-16-3 - 31 pts
Through 33 games in 21/22: 11-20-2 - 24 pts

It's pretty close. We still have plenty of time to go on our "nobody takes us seriously" run, finish in 22nd or 23rd, and for Brady to get drunk in the market, proclaim himself a future winner, and be in his seats cheering on the Panthers for Game 1 of the playoffs.

 

[h2]

Through 33 games this year: 14-19-0 - 28 pts
Through 33 games last year: 14-16-3 - 31 pts
Through 33 games in 21/22: 11-20-2 - 24 pts

It's pretty close. We still have plenty of time to go on our "nobody takes us seriously" run, finish in 22nd or 23rd, and for Brady to get drunk in the market, proclaim himself a future winner, and be in his seats cheering on the Panthers for Game 1 of the playoffs.

I think our PP carried us last year a fair bit, and likely disguised how bad we were to a degree.

 

[Sens Vader]

the comments from Martin I think further show how bad of a coach DJ was

It's been 7 games and two practices and can already tell the players have clearly not been held accountable. I thought it was just the technical side that needed training

Thank god we fired DJ, too bad it's gonna take time to rid 4.5 years of bad habits

 

[coladin]

It has begun.

We are going to see who is going to buy what Jacques is selling. And he has his sights on some players, no doubt.

You know under DJ that Chabot plays 27mins last night. This is going to be a very interesting road trip

It has begun , alright.

We are starting to see the character of some of these players, or lack of it.

Claearly Jacques and Alfie are getting treated like supply teachers. The players are not respecting them because they are "interim". Time to end the excercise and get Craig Berube in here. With a 3 or 4 year contract.

Jacques isn't going to go down without a fight as he benched Timmy for a good stretch following a consecutive horrific pass in as many games on the PP leading to breakaways.

 

[Mark Stones Spleen]

I think our PP carried us last year a fair bit, and likely disguised how bad we were to a degree.

We've been bottom of the barrel for 5on5 GD since DJs first year here, the PP was the only reason we won any games last year.

 

[Burrowsaurus]

man love that Jacques availability. f***ing boss shit

 

[Pierre from Orleans]

I really appreciated that interview Martin had with AJ. Sounds like he's not coddling anyone anymore.

I did miss the part where AJ asked Martin about players pouting and the response from Martin. Did anyone catch that bit?

 

[Sens of Anarchy]

Martin: When you haven't had success, something has to be done

Sens head coach Jacques Martin joins the show for his weekly visit to talk about Ottawa's loss in Vancouver, to look ahead to tomorrow's game in Seattle, and to talk about the changes he's trying to implement

www.tsn.ca

Speaking about Vancouver: "last year they were in a similar position....without making a lot of changes, the biggest difference is they changed their culture and their mindset"

players upset about losing DJ: "I would understand if this team had performed. When you look at the last five years, they haven't been in the playoffs, haven't even been close. They have to take a look in the mirror to see where they're at, and how we're gonna make change."

Re: Giroux "it makes you wonder when your 36-year old player leads the team in ice time and is the best performer. It's a great example for a lot of the young guys that need to follow his lead on playing at both ends of the rink...we need to get him more support"

As a last resort some people are not going to get the ice time that they want.... Its not something you like to do but you have no other repercussions after you've had meetings after you've talked to the players if they still do the same thing you have to look at taking other measures

Interesting that its not just us goofs on here that have had some concern over the bruised feelings of letting DJ go.
Hopefully there are no ringleaders dragging them in another direction

Martin: To be successful, there's a price to be paid

Sens head coach Jacques Martin speaks to the media in Seattle after his team's practice

www.tsn.ca

Did he say support?

We have to have better support. Too often we are losing battles because its 1 against 2

Our mental state has to change . We have to be more willing to pay the price and we need to bring it every night

These players better wake the f up.

 

[Golden_Jet]

Vancouver’s first 8 games when Tocchet took over was 3-5-1

 

[JD1]

I'm just curious what the problem is. I honestly don't know.

Dorion and DJ are gone, and we still suck. Can I blame Tkachuk and Stützle, or are they not the issue either?

I think there's a combination of things.

Once again we're not really deep enough. Pinto and Joseph are out and you've got guys that should not be in the league playing. 5M in dead cap hurts. A quality 3M player in the lineup would help, so would the leftover 2M in cap space to be able to better manage

Development of some young guys has hurt. Norris missing a year. Pinto missing 1.5 of the last 2.5 years. It means they're still learning when they should be entering their prime. Losing Formenton for nothing hurt. A lot.

And I think with Chabot, we were so thin on D that when bad habits crept into his game, the options to address that weren't really there and the next thing you know, his entire game is bad habits. He plays a lazy game and has for a couple of years

 

[Ghost of Jody Hull]

Jacques Martin on TSN1200, in response to a question about the players "pouting" due to DJ being fired:

There's nothing I can do about that. But the players are paid to perform. I would understand if this team had performed. But when you look at this team in the last five years, they haven't made the playoffs. They haven't even been close. And to me, they have to take a look in the mirror to see where we're at, where they're at, and how we're going to make progress. It's not easy sometimes to bring change and break habits, but when you haven't had success, something needs to be done about it. People pay good dollars to see them play, and they want to see them perform. And that's not always just wins or losses, and I'm prepared to accept that, but there are certain areas in which you need to be good on a consistent basis.

Finally some honesty. No more coddling, sugarcoating and making sure these guys are always patted on the back.

Full interview: Martin: When you haven't had success, something has to be done

 

[h2]

Jacques Martin on TSN1200, in response to a question about the players "pouting" due to DJ being fired:



Finally some honesty. No more coddling, sugarcoating and making sure these guys are always patted on the back.

Full interview: Martin: When you haven't had success, something has to be done

It's so refreshing to read that and see accountability being installed instead of listening to a coach talk about bad bounces which has led to a country club atmosphere among our core.

DJ was a horrible match for what we needed these past few years.

 

[Relapsing]

Claearly Jacques and Alfie are getting treated like supply teachers.

Glad to see I'm not the only one who's noticed this.

There are 3 things that have taken up rent in my head

1) Jacques telling the media in an interview one of his core messages to the players was for them to welcome the challenges in front of them

2) branny clearly not liking the change to forward despite his awesome game and the above message from Jacques.he didn't come across as welcoming that challenge at all.

3) Brady and Timmy clearly snickering behind JMs back in that recent post game video. Write it off as two guys goofing around, in which case I'll argue they haven't earned the right to joke around while the coach is speaking.