Proposal: Fire DJ Smith

[Micklebot]

Do you think after seeing the last 5 games this team has accomplished it’s goals?

They look terrible. Make excuses all about injuries you want but DJ has had these guys for 60 games and they look as lost as game 1. I don’t see progress, I just improved talent overcoming structureless play, and that’s not coaching that’s just Stutzle, Sanderson, Giroux and Tkachuk upping the talent level while the coaching has remained stagnant (to be friendly, in reality the HCing is poor)

Again, the point I was making was about what reasonable goals for the team were. You once again seem confused, or perhaps just want to vent about something else.

 

[HSF]

5 on 5 play is very concerning. We rode a hot PP and PK against a lot of weak teams. 5 on 5 has been consistently poor.

 

[HSF]

Seriously? What evidence have you gathered in the last 4 years to believe DJ is the only coach to guide this team?

You say injuries, I saw he can’t overcome injuries.

You saw Chabot is bad, I say a better coach makes Chabot a better player even an All Star

You say he met his goals, I say he has no real goals

You say the players have improved, I say Chabot, ADB, Pinto, Zub and others have looked terrible this year

agree completely with this

I wanna see Chabot under a different coach.


We have seen it happen time and time again where players take a new level under different coaches. Morrisey in WPG is an example

 

[BonHoonLayneCornell]

I think when we look back on it all after the season, he just won't have done enough to be kept around. Dorion will be the interesting one and I could see him getting an audition. DJ has actually exceeded my expectations in some ways, but it's time for this franchise to move in to the big boy club and get serious with their hires. No more Melnyk budget/micro-managing restricting their pool so much.

 

[Do Make Say Think]

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.

We had a few meaningful games twice this year (at the start and the recent stretch) and as soon as the pressure legitimatelly increased, everything fell apart.

The players start to feel good about themselves after 5 or 6 legit good games and they just can't keep it going. That's coaching.

 

[Tuna99]

Again, the point I was making was about what reasonable goals for the team were. You once again seem confused, or perhaps just want to vent about something else.

But after seeing them okay Chicago, Van, Calgary and Edm do you think they have even achieved the reasonable goal of being competitive in “meaningful games”

they look horrible this week in all must win games, structurless, undisciplined, casual. If they look like this in “meanginful games” how can you possibly hint they’ve achieved that goal?

 

[Mark Stones Spleen]

5 on 5 play is very concerning. We rode a hot PP and PK against a lot of weak teams. 5 on 5 has been consistently poor.

Our PP isn't top tier either.

 

[slamigo]

I'm honestly baffled as to why some posters feel that the coach has no impact on team performance. It's mind boggling.

 

[HSF]

The point I made was about team expectations and goals leading into seasons, you seem confused since your reply is all over the place.

he sure passed the goal of not having a slow start again for the 3rd time

 

[JackieDaytona]

I think this roster is capable of better consistent play and more success than it has shown this year. My opinion is that a different coaching staff would get more out of this set of players. I could absolutely be wrong.

Lots of things DJ is good at and clearly the players support him. But I agree with the sentiment that a new voice and approach is needed, there are lots of things this young group could learn and develop from another coach and a different perspective. Don’t need to shit all over DJ (not that I haven’t before) to think that a change would benefit the team.

 

[bert]

I'm honestly baffled as to why some posters feel that the coach has no impact on team performance. It's mind boggling.

I dont think thats it. They quite clearly do, but some posters blame everything on the coachs when its very obvious the players are at fault. It can be both. But its just easier to scape goat and just blame the coach. The most insane ones I have been reading lately are its DJ's fault Debrincat cant finish. Uhhh... That he is 'bad for his confidence'. Meanwhile Debrincat plays the 2nd most of any forward on the team 19 minutes a game. Its absurd takes like that where you see push back.

This team quite clearly lacks, attention to detail and accountability. I think they are directly tied to one another and thats on DJ. But when guys just flat out screw up thats on them.

 

[Micklebot]

I'm honestly baffled as to why some posters feel that the coach has no impact on team performance. It's mind boggling.

I don't think anyone actually believes that so I guess it's not surprising you'd find it mind boggling that people might.

Our PP isn't top tier either.

It's currently 9th in the league despite just going though a long cold streak and missing our top PP goal scorer from last year all season, we also currently have a top 5 PK despite everyone pretty much in agreement that our goalies are not great.



There's no doubt DJ has his faults, and I've said before imo it's time for a change, but he's also done some good. Hopefully when he's gone they can retain some of the positive lessons they learned along the way.

 

[Micklebot]

he sure passed the goal of not having a slow start again for the 3rd time

Technically we had a pretty strong start going 4-2 to start the year before losing both Norris and Zub and not being able to overcome it.

Bubble teams typically are going to be the ones that struggle in the face of adversity, that's why their bubble teams, their success is based more on things landing in place

 

[HSF]

I dont think thats it. They quite clearly do, but some posters blame everything on the coachs when its very obvious the players are at fault. It can be both. But its just easier to scape goat and just blame the coach. The most insane ones I have been reading lately are its DJ's fault Debrincat cant finish. Uhhh... That he is 'bad for his confidence'. Meanwhile Debrincat plays the 2nd most of any forward on the team 19 minutes a game. Its absurd takes like that where you see push back.

This team quite clearly lacks, attention to detail and accountability. I think they are directly tied to one another and thats on DJ. But when guys just flat out screw up thats on them.

coaching has a lot to do with players confidence and what buttons to push though. Why is that hard to believe?

We have seen countless players take a new step under different coaches. Morrisey and Debrusk are new players this year

If it was an isolated issue with one player struggling then maybe but there are a handful of guys who look awful on the Senators and are regressing. We have also seen other guys take a step forward once they left here. Paul has taken a step forward under Cooper


Changing the coach seems like the most obvious and least expensive move to make. DBC has been a big time scorer EVERY level he has played at. I don't think that changed at the age of 25.

 

[bert]

coaching has a lot to do with players confidence and what buttons to push though. Why is that hard to believe?

We have seen countless players take a new step under different coaches. Morrisey and Debrusk are new players this year

If it was an isolated issue with one player struggling then maybe but there are a handful of guys who look awful on the Senators and are regressing. We have also seen other guys take a step forward once they left here. Paul has taken a step forward under Cooper


Changing the coach seems like the most obvious and least expensive move to make. DBC has been a big time scorer EVERY level he has played at. I don't think that changed at the age of 25.

Sure it can be but what else do you want from him for Debrincat exactly? All players want is opportunity. I know because I have actually played and played with pros.

No player hates a coach for playing the shit out of him or blames the coach for their struggles if they do. If thats the case they are a loser not competitive and not accountable.

Missing instinctual plays like one timers and open nets while getting tons of ice time is not on the coach. Maybe you should watch some more games if you think DJ is the one missing the net.

 

[slamigo]

I blame DJ for this team's consistent:
a) lack of structure in their own end
b) slow starts and often not being ready to play
c) remarkable inability to score at even strength.

These are things that he has control over. On the flip side, the special teams have been good. So there are kudos to hand out there.

 

[trentmccleary]

The talent level on the team is currently equal to or better than any team that Jacques Martin coached and it's going to miss the playoffs. DJ is finished. He was finished in November, but this should lay to rest any lingering doubts.

 

[TonySoprano11]

I'd like to see Claude Julien behind the bench next year.

 

[Micklebot]

The talent level on the team is currently equal to or better than any team that Jacques Martin coached and it's going to miss the playoffs. DJ is finished. He was finished in November, but this should lay to rest any lingering doubts.

What....that just isn't true

2003-04
Hossa (HHoF)
Alfredsson (HHoF)
Chara ( HHoF)
Spezza (budding star playing on the third line)
Redden (had been getting the odd Norris votes for a few years at that point
Phillips (considered one of the top defensive Dmen in the league around that time)
Havlat (pts per game offensive winger at the tail of the dead puck era)
Fisher (Starting to get Selke votes at that stage in his career)

 

[BankStreetParade]

I'd like to see Claude Julien behind the bench next year.

Unless they have a plan for goaltending, Jesus Christ could sign a 3yr coaching deal and be fired by December.

 

[Micklebot]

I'd like to see Claude Julien behind the bench next year.

Don't think he's interested in coaching, I think he had a heart attack or something

 

[coladin]

very concerned that a lot of young players are not really improving their defensive game and if anything may have regressed. Chabot, Bath, DBC, Brady are strugglinggggg. Don't even know what Norris looks like

Also our constant slow start in games and in the season in general is concerning. 5 on 5 play is another huge red flag


Lets have a new voice

Who coached the Devils last year?

 

[KingAlfie11]

I'm honestly baffled as to why some posters feel that the coach has no impact on team performance. It's mind boggling.

I agree they need to take a good hard look around the league, Carolina was missing the playoffs before Brind'Amour, Tampa was not very good before Jon Cooper, for me a good coach will inplement a system that will maximize your chance of winning hockey game, it's all about puck control and spending more time in the offensive zone

 

[bert]

Who coached the Devils last year?

A coach with alot of experience that has gone to a SCF and been coaching in the league for close to 25 years. I think its time for a new coach here. DJ has done a great job building a terrific culture. Players that play for one another, work hard and care. But there is quite clearly a lack of accountability and an inability to implement a system that can win on the road. The sens are great at home because they are good when they play with alot of emotion. Something that is just not sustainable for 82 games. I think with the right staff DJ can get there when he reflects on his time here and learns from his experience.

However a veteran coach is what is needed at this point that can teach a team how to play more responsibly and overall better team defense.

 

[Mark Stones Spleen]

It's currently 9th in the league despite just going though a long cold streak and missing our top PP goal scorer from last year all season, we also currently have a top 5 PK despite everyone pretty much in agreement that our goalies are not great.



There's no doubt DJ has his faults, and I've said before imo it's time for a change, but he's also done some good. Hopefully when he's gone they can retain some of the positive lessons they learned along the way.

That's kind of cherry picking stats though. Long cold streak? We had a long hot streak then too right? I'm taking the season level stats. Norris wasn't really discussed when we were running a hot PP for half of the season, so we have the ability to function without Norris. We added a PP sniper and a PPG Giroux along with improvements to Stutzle.

Our net PP% is 13th. You should factor how many goals we allow during our PP. It's 19.4% vs last year at 17.7%. Nothing to write home about given that we suck 5on5.

Our net PK is dynamite, I'm not arguing that.