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

[Mark Stones Spleen]

Ran a fun practice and then got fired.

He went full Gordon Bombay, with a struggling NHL team....
DJ should probably be coaching at that level tbh.

 

[guyzeur]

I will say if there's anyone I want as an interim it's Jacques. He will calm things down in general but also get to fixing this mess over the next weeks and months whether he stays or not long term. These players were in desperate need of an authoritative voice in the room with real NHL experience, and they've got it in spades with Martin.

Not expecting any big turnaround in the near future but I'm confident he'll at least get these kids back on track.

I don't know what this means:

an authoritative voice in the room with real NHL experience"

 

[Very Stable Genius]

Can't wait for all the behind the scenes info that's going to spill out.

 

[frightenedinmatenum2]

Did they really let him run practice today before this came down?

Is that not unusually cruel?

A holdover from the Melnyk era. If they are going to pay him for the day, he's going to work!

 

[Silencio]

 

[guyzeur]

This news made me feel like a ten year old on Xmas again.

For some reason, I can easily see you as a 10 year old!

 

[OmniSens]

Good f***ing riddance!

 

[Senscore]

Maybe I'm optimistic but I think the players can turn things around quickly.


They want to learn. DJ just didn't have much to teach them.

 

[Psycroptic86]

Finally! Hallelujah!

 

[L'Aveuglette]

I don't know what this means:

Someone who garners respect simply by having had the career he has. I don't know why you find that so confusing.

 

[Burrowsaurus]

good. I like this move. Let’s see if it can galvanize the group. If it doesn’t it doesn’t and Martin gets to assess the team and next year advise the next coaching staff better on what to do

 

[Do Make Say Think]

I was convinced Martin, since he is in his 70's, was not interested in being head coach anymore.

I was on the "keep DJ for the rest of the year and tank" but since Martin was an option, this makes a lot more sense.

Cool to see Alfie as an assistant as well.

 

[TheNewEra]

Might have to apologize to Vegas

Got dorion and DJ fired

 

[SpezDispenser]

Go back to junior DJ, you're a hell of a pond hockey coach!

 

[Beech]

now is not the time to dance on the Man's grave.

Best wishes to DJ and I hope the move brings some stability to the team

 

[guyzeur]

Someone who garners respect simply by having had the career he has. I don't know why you find that so confusing.

3 words: "Real NHL experience" Smith has been a coach for a few years now, those don't count as real?

 

[Senscore]

Might have to apologize to Vegas

Got dorion and DJ fired

An invoice for a 5th round pick is in the mail

 

[DaveMatthew]

I'm curious to see how Jacques structures the lines. I'm sure his philosophy has changed in the last 20 years, but he always used to spread out skill and loved having a "worker" on each line (remember Dackell with Yashin and McEachern?).

I'd like to see:

Kubalik - Stützle - Giroux
Tkachuk - Greig - Tarasenko
Smejkal - Norris - Batherson
Crookshank - Kastelic - Kelly

 

[Nac Mac Feegle]

Is this one really real?

As much as I like Martin and Alfie, I'm kinda wary of this move. Martin having the interim tag is fine, but I don't like the idea of Capuno sticking around...he's a bigger problem than DJ.

 

[milkbag]

LOL the guy runs a light hearted fun 'attaboys' practice after a 3 game road losing streak? Those hotdogs should be being bag skated for their effort level lately.
So glad this clownshow is finally over.

 

[OmniSens]

Won't be long until we want Jacques and Alfie out

 

[L'Aveuglette]

3 words: "Real NHL experience" Smith has been a coach for a few years now, those don't count as real?

DJ had never been a head coach at the NHL level before taking this role on. Jacques has decades of experience at this level and is a proven winner.

It's pretty straightforward man.

 

[DJB]

YESSSS!!!!!!

Best day in Sens history!!!

 

[Oduyanow]

I would really love to know the thought behind letting DJ run the practice today before firing him. Lol

Told him he had to run the practice or he had to find his own way home.

 

[Silencio]

Might have to apologize to Vegas

Got dorion and DJ fired

They kind of owed us for making us lose a first round pick.