Proposal: Fire DJ Smith

[Golden_Jet]

That’s kinda strange because I don’t think anybody ever really criticizes the work ethic or effort of the team.

People back DJ because he seems like an awesome guy, being liked will get you far in this world.

I’m excited to see a new coach come in once ownership arrives.

DJ doesn’t tell the players to pass the puck to the other team. Players need to execute as well.

 

[Union2017]

DJ doesn’t tell the players to pass the puck to the other team. Players need to execute as well.

Ideally you pass the puck where your player will be, not where they are at the moment you have the puck on your stick. So, perhaps they are not where they are supposed to be?

Either way - the magic word is ACCOUNTABILITY. And, ADAPT/ADJUST. All under "A" in dictionary. Maybe he is missing the letter A in his Thesaurus?

 

[Alex1234]

Well your lineup doesn't have a goaltender so I think that could present some problems.... The other team will probably find a way to exploit that.

You get the essence of his post…

Here’s even A bit more of whats missing:

Ottawa Senators 2024 - 2025 Roster | Ottawa Senators

The official 2024 - 2025 roster of the Ottawa Senators, including position, height, weight, date of birth, age, and birth place.

www.nhl.com

Hockey Operations

Check out our experienced Hockey Operations team. Includes front office staff, coaches, trainers, scouts, and equipment staff.

www.nhl.com

 

[Golden_Jet]

You get the essence of his post…

Here’s even A bit more of whats missing:

Ottawa Senators 2024 - 2025 Roster | Ottawa Senators

The official 2024 - 2025 roster of the Ottawa Senators, including position, height, weight, date of birth, age, and birth place.

www.nhl.com

Hockey Operations

Check out our experienced Hockey Operations team. Includes front office staff, coaches, trainers, scouts, and equipment staff.

www.nhl.com

Hockey ops has grown from the last couple of years I see. hopefully continues.

 

[Golden_Jet]

Fascinating conversation here.
It took the NHLs 2nd best record over what? 2 months? To get us where? let’s see…3 or 4 meaningful games? lol (don’t get me wrong I loved them) but how about a reality check.
We are currently picking 11th.
We picked 7th last year, 10th the year before.

We now enter a very difficult part of the schedule, anyone here think after the next 7 games think we will be higher in the standings?

I like DJ, but for those people looking in every direction but his, is there any condition under which you think there should be a coaching change?
He’s already had a longer leash than any other coach with this kind of record over this many years rebuild or not.
It’s like saying coaches are irrelevant so why bother changing them. What exactly is it that makes DJ so exceptional in your minds? Track record in the NHL? Some strategy he is deploying? His in game adjustments? Bench management? Is he master of line matching?

What is so irreplaceable about DJ Smith, I’d be fascinated to know.

No one thinks DJ is irreplaceable, some are just realists who think they have to wait for an ownership change.

 

[Gil Gunderson]

I just don't see how he stays. Coaches on bubble tams barely last more than two seasons in the modern NHL, let alone coaches with four bottom-10 finishes.

 

[Union2017]

I just don't see how he stays. Coaches on bubble tams barely last more than two seasons in the modern NHL, let alone coaches with four bottom-10 finishes.

I think the new owners will try to have an immediate impact and "make a statement" next season. In a way - brand this team as their own.
So they will not continue with the same management and bench staff. I don't expect that to happen on their first day as somebody was saying in this or other thread, but I think they will definitely get the new bench staff and probably new GM.

Every big company goes through that once the ownership changes.

 

[Micklebot]

As I pointed out previously, in the last 62 games of the 21-22 season the Sens were 29-27-6 . Their goal differential over that period was minus -9. Most people would see that after a disastrous start in 2021-22 the Sens turned it around in the last 3/4 of last season and that should be the baseline of what people's expectations should be based on for this season.

Oh, so it's ok to cherry pick a date range from last year when it suits your narrative, gotcha.

As I pointed out, most people actually did set their expectations in the links I provided earlier and you seem to have ignored. We are exactly where reasonable expectations had us, your expectations not being met is on you.

The team has very clearly been better than last year, even with your cherry picked window, the underlying stats show a better team this year with, the eye test shows a better team this year, the record shows a better team. We did have Forsberg put up some vezina caliber performances during that stretch, maybe you thought it was realistic to expect that again from a journeyman goalie?

 

[BonHoonLayneCornell]

Can't fire all the players even if there's legitimacy to some of the arguments. The play is to put in a different coach.

 

[Do Make Say Think]

I just don't see how he stays. Coaches on bubble tams barely last more than two seasons in the modern NHL, let alone coaches with four bottom-10 finishes.

I'd like a better coach but I also wouldn't get rid of DJ just for the sake of it. If there isn't a definitive upgrade to be hired, keep him.

 

[Union2017]

I'd like a better coach but I also wouldn't get rid of DJ just for the sake of it. If there isn't a definitive upgrade to be hired, keep him.

For sure. All I am saying is we need a better coach. But if nobody better is available, might as well keep him.

 

[Golden_Jet]

Oh, so it's ok to cherry pick a date range from last year when it suits your narrative, gotcha.

As I pointed out, most people actually did set their expectations in the links I provided earlier and you seem to have ignored. We are exactly where reasonable expectations had us, your expectations not being met is on you.

The team has very clearly been better than last year, even with your cherry picked window, the underlying stats show a better team this year with, the eye test shows a better team this year, the record shows a better team. We did have Forsberg put up some vezina caliber performances during that stretch, maybe you thought it was realistic to expect that again from a journeyman goalie?

You’d think the comparison would be first 62 of each year, not the cherry picked one like you pointed out.

 

[Mingus Dew]

At the end of the year let's make Dorion and DJ fight. Winner keeps their job.

DJ is obviously bigger but Pierre looks like he'd fight dirty. Sell tickets with the proceeds used to sign DeBrincat.

 

[Micklebot]

At the end of the year let's make Dorion and DJ fight. Winner keeps their job.

DJ is obviously bigger but Pierre looks like he'd fight dirty. Sell tickets with the proceeds used to sign DeBrincat.

That's a terrible idea since one of them will inevitably win and keep their job...

 

[Burrowsaurus]

Our 5v5 goal differential (-25 right now) is worse than last year despite improvements to the team. Norris can't fix that, team needs a new coach.

This is the issue with DJ I have. Talent improves. We play pretty much the same.

 

[BonHoonLayneCornell]

That's a terrible idea since one of them will inevitably win and keep their job...

And DJ would be a lock to win that battle imo.

 

[Union2017]

And DJ would be a lock to win that battle imo.

I wouldn't want see either one shirtless.... So, I am OK as long as they keep their shirts on. And pants. No WWF type of clothing please...

 

[Loach]

That’s kinda strange because I don’t think anybody ever really criticizes the work ethic or effort of the team.

People back DJ because he seems like an awesome guy, being liked will get you far in this world.

I’m excited to see a new coach come in once ownership arrives.

I know. Check post 3313

 

[Micklebot]

This is the issue with DJ I have. Talent improves. We play pretty much the same.

I mean, the goal differential is clearly a sv% issue, so idk that it's accurate to say we're playing the same way,

 

[Cosmix]

It's bizarre that someone can watch last year vs this year and not see a significant difference

We finished last year with 73 pts and are currently projecting to finish with around 87-90

We finished last year with a minus 40 goal differential and are pacing this year at about -5 or 6

They've achieved pretty much exactly what was expected of them prior to the season beginning, and far more than most thought possible after a disastrous first quarter of the season marred by a string of 1 goal loses.

Yes the team is improving as it should with another year of experience and the two major additions at forward prior to it (Debrincat and Giroux). I am hopeful that next season will see another step up with Norris back and Chychrun on the roster. Hopefully we will sign Formenton or get an equally skilled replacement. Holden, Watson, Gambrell and Brassard should be replaced with better players too; however, that is easily said but hard to accomplish. I suspect that Hamonic will sign elsewhere.

 

[BondraTime]

Yeah, I don’t consider these meaningful games late in the season.

We’re at the point now where we at just waiting to be mathematically eliminated with nearly 1/4 of the season left, while having the 2nd easiest schedule through the first 3/4 of the season. 3 losses basically does that.

 

[BonHoonLayneCornell]

I wouldn't want see either one shirtless.... So, I am OK as long as they keep their shirts on. And pants. No WWF type of clothing please...

View attachment 668986

Lol no shit eh.

 

[Alex1234]

And DJ would be a lock to win that battle imo.

More fair against BruceBuff Bigelow

 

[Burrowsaurus]

I mean, the goal differential is clearly a sv% issue, so idk that it's accurate to say we're playing the same way,

It is clearly only a save percentage issue

 

[DueDiligence]

Oh, so it's ok to cherry pick a date range from last year when it suits your narrative, gotcha.

You mean the last 3/4 of last season should have no bearing on what to expect this year? Just a dumb viewpoint on your part.