Proposal: Fire DJ Smith

[bert]

even if we make the playoffs

Its time for a change to take us to the next level

Wouldn't be getting them to the playoffs be taking them to the next level from where they were? Its the first season they have had a playoff level roster and if they make it wouldnt that mean he did his job?

Yes. I do.

I want him to say “we want to make the playoffs, that’s our goal; the fans deserve it and so do the players. I’M COACHING TO MAKE THE PLAYOFFS NOT FOR A SOFT UNDERBELLY FINISH.”

You actually dont think thats the conversation in the room? The goal for every team is to win the cup. You have to make the playoffs to do that. He is a superstitious guy I wouldnt be saying that either. They are a young team that quite clearly cant get ahead of themselves. They have to take it one period at a time. Take a log off the fire man.

 

[Tuna99]

Wouldn't be getting them to the playoffs be taking them to the next level from where they were? Its the first season they have had a playoff level roster and if they make it wouldnt that mean he did his job?


You actually dont think thats the conversation in the room? The goal for every team is to win the cup. You have to make the playoffs to do that. He is a superstitious guy I wouldnt be saying that either. They are a young team that quite clearly cant get ahead of themselves. They have to take it one period at a time. Take a log off the fire man.

You’re right, don’t want to make a bunch of.deadline moves to improve the team and not talk about the playoffs.

I’m just a big believer in stating out loud what your goals are, not being afraid of them. I think this organization was tought that lesson but has faceplanted so many times since the Cup finals they are afraid of their own success.

I know many fans here (if or when) Ottawa misses the playoffs by 5-7 points will say it was a great year because they reached their goal of being the soup course and not the starter or the main course - when in reality they could be a playoff team. I think they see possibly missing the playoffs as a failure (as do I) so if they do miss management will show up with big smiles and say “we played some meaningful games - all good here” when in reality missing the playoffs isn’t good with this lineup and being this close

 

[HSF]

Wouldn't be getting them to the playoffs be taking them to the next level from where they were? Its the first season they have had a playoff level roster and if they make it wouldnt that mean he did his job?


You actually dont think thats the conversation in the room? The goal for every team is to win the cup. You have to make the playoffs to do that. He is a superstitious guy I wouldnt be saying that either. They are a young team that quite clearly cant get ahead of themselves. They have to take it one period at a time. Take a log off the fire man.

I think a different coach could get better structure out of this group. DJ is good with the young guys but now its time to get to contender level

 

[AchtzehnBaby]

I am outraged!!!!

I am calling my congresswoman about this tomorrow

 

[AchtzehnBaby]

Fire DJ

 

[Micklebot]

I think a different coach could get better structure out of this group. DJ is good with the young guys but now its time to get to contender level

It would be really hard to fire DJ if we sneak into the playoffs,

That said, I wonder if they'd shake up the associate role and replace Capuano with someone more well known as a X's and O's guy.

How many years does Cap have left, I know we denied the sabres an interview with him, his initial contract was supposed to end after last season, so we probably fever him the same extention we gave DJ?

 

[The Devilish Buffoon]

I think a different coach could get better structure out of this group. DJ is good with the young guys but now its time to get to contender level

On the one hand I agree, this has kinda always been my view on DJ, but if he gets them to the playoffs... you need to give him an opportunity to at least try to take that next step. The ownership situation muddles things but playoffs would be a really impressive accomplishment in a tough conference with some rough injuries and a roster that had major holes pre-deadline even at the best of times.

 

[DJB]

Ahem……

 

[Tuna99]

Ahem……

When there are no must win game because making the playoffs isn’t the goal there is Nothing left to say on the matter, at this point you’re either:

1. Fire DJ Smith I’ve seen enough

2. See something deeper beyond an inconsistent team that can’t win must-win games and diarrhea’s the bed in a must win game

 

[Burrowsaurus]

When there are no must win game because making the playoffs isn’t the goal there is Nothing left to say on the matter, at this point you’re either:

1. Fire DJ Smith I’ve seen enough

2. See something deeper beyond an inconsistent team that can’t win must-win games and diarrhea’s the bed in a must win game

Our expectations don’t matter. inside the room these are must win games. And they come up with duds.

 

[Tuna99]

Our expectations don’t matter. inside the room these are must win games. And they come up with duds.

Fans expectations do matter - but when the management standard is “we don’t want to be accountable to anything but not being in last place” then nothing matters beyond not being in last place to be judged successful.

 

[Burrowsaurus]

Fans expectations do matter - but when the management standard is “we don’t want to be accountable to anything but not being in last place” then nothing matters beyond not being in last place to be judged successful.

Management isn’t playing the game. While dorions goal was to be in the hunt by the trade deadline (which I believe to be a pretty fair goal) the players and the coach went into the Chicago game and the Vancouver game thinking they had to win. And not only did they not (it happens) they didn’t even show up (should never happen.

DJs entire identity is “work hard”. But no team can rev at 110% every game the nHL schedule is grueling. So when we’re not, the team has no structure or gameplan to fall back on. So we get absolutely pumped when we can’t

 

[Mark Stones Spleen]

Must win games against bottom feeders? Get stomped on twice.

Give DJ a raise.

 

[AchtzehnBaby]

Must win games against bottom feeders? Get stomped on twice.

Give DJ a raise.

Just like the Sens used to do when they were the pesky Sens

 

[Mark Stones Spleen]

Just like the Sens used to do when they were the pesky Sens

 

[Tuna99]

Management isn’t playing the game. While dorions goal was to be in the hunt by the trade deadline (which I believe to be a pretty fair goal) the players and the coach went into the Chicago game and the Vancouver game thinking they had to win. And not only did they not (it happens) they didn’t even show up (should never happen.

DJs entire identity is “work hard”. But no team can rev at 110% every game the nHL schedule is grueling. So when we’re not, the team has no structure or gameplan to fall back on. So we get absolutely pumped when we can’t

Agree, If Rod Brind d’Amour was the coach of the Sens they would make the playoffs

When they lost game 1 of the season it set the stage for last night / they don’t show up for statement games

 

[Bileur]

Agree, If Rod Brind d’Amour was the coach of the Sens they would make the playoffs

When they lost game 1 of the season it set the stage for last night / they don’t show up for statement games

I don’t think we can categorically say that. They showed up big time for those Detroit games.

The problem is that they piss away valuable points early in the season, when DJ takes months to figure out to get his team organized and going, and turn every late season game into a high pressure must win game. It’s pretty hard to win 30 statement games facing elimination.

 

[coladin]

You can’t coach nerves.

I’ll say this ,as a coaching thread (not just firing DJ), but he has to do something about the PP. In key situations, he should have tinkered with it while they were losing. He can be stubborn.

Given that they are suddenly being almost outscored on the PP as of late, I would go Giroux Stutzle Tkachuk on PP1, with Chych and Chabby.

PP2 would be the Pinto line with Sanderson and Brass on the points

 

[Tuna99]

I don’t think we can categorically say that. They showed up big time for those Detroit games.

The problem is that they piss away valuable points early in the season, when DJ takes months to figure out to get his team organized and going, and turn every late season game into a high pressure must win game. It’s pretty hard to win 30 statement games facing elimination.

Game 1 vs Buffalo was a statement game IMO and certainly the way DJ spoke after the game they felt they were the better team - but 0 points.

Laying an egg in Chicago and Vancouver when you’re this close to the playoffs - just not ready and not prepared to win

 

[Sens of Anarchy]

Is it time to tweak more than a 4th line winger and 6/7 D in the lineup.

PP1 could use a boost. We have one of the best PP players in the league over his career in Giroux and he gets PP2 .. have to wonder why. That's an easy one. The top 6 could use another bit of a shakeup as well. Maybe move Giroux with DeBrincat to get him going . Maybe we need to bring Greig back up.. and move Pinto and Batherson down to the 3rd line again.. This team needs a jolt of some kind. Put a top 4 together and leave them. Bring Brannstrom in to play with Hamonic.

They need to find something. Gauthier for Brown and Brannstrom for Holden are not arguably improvements

 

[coladin]

Is it time to tweak more than a 4th line winger and 6/7 D in the lineup.

PP1 could use a boost. We have one of the best PP players in the league over his career in Giroux and he gets PP2 .. have to wonder why. That's an easy one. The top 6 could use another bit of a shakeup as well. Maybe move Giroux with DeBrincat to get him going . Maybe we need to bring Greig back up.. and move Pinto and Batherson down to the 3rd line again.. This team needs a jolt of some kind. Put a top 4 together and leave them. Bring Brannstrom in to play with Hamonic.

They need to find something. Gauthier for Brown and Brannstrom for Holden are not arguably improvements

I think it might be worth a shot to try DeBrincat on the top line. Putting Tkachuk with Pinto and Batherson might ignite that line. He may create more space and opportunity for them. He should try it tonight

 

[AchtzehnBaby]

Agree, If Rod Brind d’Amour was the coach of the Sens they would make the playoffs

When they lost game 1 of the season it set the stage for last night / they don’t show up for statement games

For sure.

I don’t think we can categorically say that. They showed up big time for those Detroit games.

The problem is that they piss away valuable points early in the season, when DJ takes months to figure out to get his team organized and going, and turn every late season game into a high pressure must win game. It’s pretty hard to win 30 statement games facing elimination.

This team is constantly hampered with injuries and a rotation of new players. It's not that easy.

 

[bert]

Fans expectations do matter - but when the management standard is “we don’t want to be accountable to anything but not being in last place” then nothing matters beyond not being in last place to be judged successful.

I can't believe you actually think this.

I think it might be worth a shot to try DeBrincat on the top line. Putting Tkachuk with Pinto and Batherson might ignite that line. He may create more space and opportunity for them. He should try it tonight

Gotta do something about the second line it's not working. Debrincat has been getting worse.

 

[Tuna99]

I can't believe you actually think this.


Gotta do something about the second line it's not working. Debrincat has been getting worse.

When your goal is to not make the playoffs, and also not to be in last place - that’s not a goal, it’s an excuse. The goal is mediocrity

 

[AchtzehnBaby]

I can't believe you actually think this.


Gotta do something about the second line it's not working. Debrincat has been getting worse.

DCat is defo worse. I think he is trying to be too fancy… but that is half of the team. They always pass one too many times (and the passing is not so great)