Proposal: Fire DJ Smith

[DueDiligence]

His entire body of work as a coach is one of the best ever.

So Keefe who inherited a playoff team but in the past 3 seasons never had his team win one playoff round has a body of work that is "one of the best ever"? You need to stop posting in the middle of the night.

 

[Union2017]

He hasn’t lost the room.
He can’t score for the forwards, nor play for his defence.

That is an odd post to say the least.

At least I didn't talk about his gum chewing abilities, right? Baby steps.

What? come on man that’s weak.

They traded away some dead weight because they didn’t think they make the playoffs after those losses. How is that accountability for the core players still there? We don’t have dead weight this year and we brought in Chych for the future.

You guys make shit up like systems and accountability and run with it all season long like you have a single clue what you’re talking about. Makes me laugh to see people operate on speculation like it’s fact.

Cup winning organization? And when was that last cup? And who in that organization is still there? They have also sucked for just as long as us though their rebuild.

You guys make me laugh. The wings and Sabres are better than us when you can use it as a hammer, but as soon as we catch up and get ahead they don’t matter and you grab a team that’s ahead of our rebuild schedule. We are on par with the other awesome young teams that are at similar points in the cycle as us. Deal with it.

Haters gonna hate.

OK, glad we talked about it. If they don't fix the bench, we will be talking about it again next year.

 

[bert]

So Keefe who inherited a playoff team but in the past 3 seasons never had his team win one playoff round has a body of work that is "one of the best ever"? You need to stop posting in the middle of the night.

If you look at his winning percentage at all levels its one of the best. He's won at every level. For people that say DJ has no structure then they should probably like Keefe. His teams have incredible structure and attention to detail. I think he gets alot out of what is a very poorly constructed roster. The leafs team after their top 4 forwards is terrible. No top pairing d man. Bottom of the barrel goalies. Awful depth, for the most part it's easy to play against. At the TDL alot of this was addressed but that's alot of turnover to get on the same page at the same time. I think Dubas is one of the worst GM'S in hockey. Why did it take so long to identify what they needed? It was blatantly obvious.

Agreed his teams need to win now. But I think they're losing due to individual player performance and roster construction. Only so much a coach can do. Did anyone think they'd beat Tampa last year? I sure didn't, wouldn't have mattered if prime Scott Bowman was behind the bench.

At least I didn't talk about his gum chewing abilities, right? Baby steps.



OK, glad we talked about it. If they don't fix the bench, we will be talking about it again next year.

I don't think anyone has an issue with this. I agree but you need to differentiat between what's his fault and what isn't.

 

[Micklebot]

DJ Smith into his 4th year. Let me know if Buffalo or Detroit has a -30 GD 5v5 in their 4th year of that coach.

Eakins is -71 in his 5th year, could be worse...

 

[Union2017]

If you look at his winning percentage at all levels its one of the best. He's won at every level. For people that say DJ has no structure then they should probably like Keefe. His teams have incredible structure and attention to detail. I think he gets alot out of what is a very poorly constructed roster. The leafs team after their top 4 forwards is terrible. No top pairing d man. Bottom of the barrel goalies. Awful depth, for the most part it's easy to play against. After the TDL alot of this was addressed but that's alot of turnover to get on the same page at the same time. I think Dubas is one of the worst GM'S in hockey. Why did it take so long to identify what they needed? It was blatantly obvious.

Agreed his teams need to win now. But I think they're losing due to individual player performance and roster construction. Only so much a coach can do. Did anyone think they'd beat Tampa last year? I sure didn't, wouldn't have mattered if prime Scott Bowman was behind the bench.


I don't think anyone has an issue with this. I agree but you need to differentiat between what's his fault and what isn't.

Not arguing just wondering - their top 4F would be Matthews. Marner, Tavares, Nylander, right? We should add ROR (I know he is injured now), and I don't necessarily think Bunting is terrible player. I don't think that's bad for 6F Anyways, their D was an issue, so I guess that will determine how far they go in the playoffs. I think they have enough of scoring power. But, who knows. We thought the same with Heather and Spezza and then they got wrecked in that SCF in 2007.

 

[Joeyjoejoe]

Like a number of people on here, I am on the fence on DJ Smith. I get the sense that he is not a tactical coach but can relate to the players and that the players like him and do play hard for him. I never get the sense that the players have quit on him but I do think that he is simply out of his element a lot of games.

With a new ownership group, I think that DJ and Dorion get replaced but I would not be totally upset if they were still here because it almost seems like they both have earned the right to hoist the Cup in '24!

Anyway that you slice it, DJ has put himself into second place in all time Wins for Sens coaches:

View attachment 673565

Loool choosing to look at 'wins’ instead of PTS% is certainly a choice.

 

[Union2017]

I don't think anyone has an issue with this. I agree but you need to differentiat between what's his fault and what isn't.

I don't blame everything on DJ, definitely not. The same way for example how I don't blame everything on Chabot. But he will not take us anywhere, so we need a good, experienced coach to grow and get into the playoffs. TBH my biggest issue with him is that we are constantly not ready at the beginning of the season. No matter who we have on our roster, it's always the same problem there. So, and I might be completely off my rocker here, I think that's a coaching issue/lack of accountability AND that makes us bottom team in the conference. And I am OK if people don't feel the same, it's just my (amateur-ish) perspective and lots of frustration speaking.

 

[Golden_Jet]

Not arguing just wondering - their top 4F would be Matthews. Marner, Tavares, Nylander, right? We should add ROR (I know he is injured now), and I don't necessarily think Bunting is terrible player. I don't think that's bad for 6F Anyways, their D was an issue, so I guess that will determine how far they go in the playoffs. I think they have enough of scoring power. But, who knows. We thought the same with Heather and Spezza and then they got wrecked in that SCF in 2007.

The 11-12 day break in 07 didn’t help the Sens

 

[DueDiligence]

The 11-12 day break in 07 didn’t help the Sens

Playing against one of the all time best defense tandems in Pronger and Niedermeyer didn't help either.

 

[Tuna99]

The 11-12 day break in 07 didn’t help the Sens

Corvo and Preissing refusing to go into the corners to battle for pucks was our biggest weakness.

 

[bert]

Not arguing just wondering - their top 4F would be Matthews. Marner, Tavares, Nylander, right? We should add ROR (I know he is injured now), and I don't necessarily think Bunting is terrible player. I don't think that's bad for 6F Anyways, their D was an issue, so I guess that will determine how far they go in the playoffs. I think they have enough of scoring power. But, who knows. We thought the same with Heather and Spezza and then they got wrecked in that SCF in 2007.

I think that these changes came too late. Way too much turnover mid season. They finally have a team that can win I just dont know if they have time to pull it together and get some chemistry. Injury to ROR wasnt good either.

2007 sens team had some playoff history to work off of alot of that team was around in 1999 until then. They also had really hard players to play against and a top shut down pair. Much better roster construction.

I don't blame everything on DJ, definitely not. The same way for example how I don't blame everything on Chabot. But he will not take us anywhere, so we need a good, experienced coach to grow and get into the playoffs. TBH my biggest issue with him is that we are constantly not ready at the beginning of the season. No matter who we have on our roster, it's always the same problem there. So, and I might be completely off my rocker here, I think that's a coaching issue/lack of accountability AND that makes us bottom team in the conference. And I am OK if people don't feel the same, it's just my (amateur-ish) perspective and lots of frustration speaking.

For the most part I agree. But when I see him getting blamed for Debrincat missing open look after open look we have an issue. Or ignoring the good he has done, special teams, and a willingness to compete and play for one another.

I think he was a good coach to build a good foundation from a culture perspective in the room but its time for someone else to take them the next step.

 

[Union2017]

I think that these changes came too late. Way too much turnover mid season. They finally have a team that can win I just dont know if they have time to pull it together and get some chemistry. Injury to ROR wasnt good either.

2007 sens team had some playoff history to work off of alot of that team was around in 1999 until then. They also had really hard players to play against and a top shut down pair. Much better roster construction.


For the most part I agree. But when I see him getting blamed for Debrincat missing open look after open look we have an issue. Or ignoring the good he has done, special teams, and a willingness to compete and play for one another.

I think he was a good coach to build a good foundation from a culture perspective in the room but its time for someone else to take them the next step.

Agree. And yes, he should not be blamed for #12 missing an open net, that's for sure.

 

[Micklebot]

Corvo and Preissing refusing to go into the corners to battle for pucks was our biggest weakness.

If our biggest weekness was our third pair playing 13 mins a night and who weren't scored against the entire series, then we'd probably have won the series...

 

[Golden_Jet]

If our biggest weekness was our third pair playing 13 mins a night and who weren't scored against the entire series, then we'd probably have won the series...

Nice with the facts

 

[Tuna99]

If our biggest weekness was our third pair playing 13 mins a night and who weren't scored against the entire series, then we'd probably have won the series...

I guess you watched the finals from Statsgeek website and not with your eyes and what the players were doing.

I guess Preissing was so good (despite being afraid of his own defensive corner) that’s why Bryan Murray’s first move as GM was to trade NHL’s +/- leader and then he went to L.A and busted

Only played NHL 99 games after the Cup finals and was out of the NHL. Preissing was great you’re right

Tom Preissing Looks To Make Impact with Colorado Avalanche

After undergoing offseason knee surgery, defenseman Tom Preissing has recovered and will soon finally be able to suit up in his first game for the Colorado Avalanche. The timing couldn't be better...

syndication.bleacherreport.com

 

[Gil Gunderson]

As I mentioned in another post , one big factor for the Leafs D was getting Giordano signed to a minimum contract. He is still a strong defensive Dman and probably better in his own end than any Senator D man.

I have zero reason to believe he'd be that type of player here. We'd probably be making threads about how he's been a disappointment.

 

[Golden_Jet]

I guess you watched the finals from Statsgeek website and not with your eyes and what the players were doing.

I guess Preissing was so good (despite being afraid of his own defensive corner) that’s why Bryan Murray’s first move as GM was to trade NHL’s +/- leader and then he went to L.A and busted

Only played NHL 99 games after the Cup finals and was out of the NHL. Preissing was great you’re right

Tom Preissing Looks To Make Impact with Colorado Avalanche

After undergoing offseason knee surgery, defenseman Tom Preissing has recovered and will soon finally be able to suit up in his first game for the Colorado Avalanche. The timing couldn't be better...

syndication.bleacherreport.com

Oh so he was playing with a bum knee you say, thanks for posting that.

 

[Micklebot]

I guess you watched the finals from Statsgeek website and not with your eyes and what the players were doing.

I guess Preissing was so good (despite being afraid of his own defensive corner) that’s why Bryan Murray’s first move as GM was to trade NHL’s +/- leader and then he went to L.A and busted

Only played NHL 99 games after the Cup finals and was out of the NHL. Preissing was great you’re right

Tom Preissing Looks To Make Impact with Colorado Avalanche

After undergoing offseason knee surgery, defenseman Tom Preissing has recovered and will soon finally be able to suit up in his first game for the Colorado Avalanche. The timing couldn't be better...

syndication.bleacherreport.com

No, I'm saying they weren't a factor, blaming the loss on the third pair is quite a take though, congrats cause that's a new one.

 

[Mark Stones Spleen]

Eakins is -71 in his 5th year, could be worse...

4th year with Anaheim. And an awful team embracing the tank. We're in two different places.

I guess I feel there's a difference between a team that trades their top picks for help and a team that is still trying to rebuild. Just like I'm not comparing DJ to Brindamour. If you're happy with that our team could just be doing worse, then fair play to you.

 

[Cosmix]

Just like Dorion and DJ, new ownership may not want to make rash decisions right away or they might.

However, major shakeup in GM and Coach coming at some point in 23-24 is my feeling unless we see a good playoff run.

This was in Dorions 5 year plan...lol

No one wants to make "rash" decisions, but many owners and managers want to make smart decisions quickly based on solid assessment and information.

 

[Gil Gunderson]

Finding a new coach after 4 years isn't a "rash" decision lmao. Have you seen what the average shelf life of an NHL coach is now? Even those that make the playoffs usually don't last 4 years.

 

[Tuna99]

No, I'm saying they weren't a factor, blaming the loss on the third pair is quite a take though, congrats cause that's a new one.

I mean the margins of lose and victory in that series especially in games 1 and 2 are hilariously close that for you think the 3rd pairing of an NHL team in the finals isn’t important is as bad a take as I’ve seen here in years. Especially when so many grinding players make their reputation in the playoffs and especially some guys who play D. Don’t hear very often or small soft Dman who did great in the playoffs

When you’re Head coach says that the lesson learned from losing in the finals was “size matters” and he becomes GM and replaces Preissing and Corvo with big Dman is you just not following the puck and Bryan Murray being defined as a hard nose hockey guy and here you are defending players Bryan Murray called out himself for being soft.

Preissing went to L.A. and I think we was demoted to the AHL that same season. Played less then 100 NHL games after that, went from +/- leader to outta the NHL quikcly

 

[Tuna99]

Oh so he was playing with a bum knee you say, thanks for posting that.

We could talk about Heatley’s injury early in the finals that effected his shot and he was quiet, Redden also started having trouble with his acceleration late that season that his career turned for the worse but Redden was still fearless and never gave an inch despite being hobbled - having a bum knee doesn’t make you scared, being scared of your opposition makes you scared

 

[Micklebot]

4th year with Anaheim. And an awful team embracing the tank. We're in two different places.

I guess I feel there's a difference between a team that trades their top picks for help and a team that is still trying to rebuild. Just like I'm not comparing DJ to Brindamour. If you're happy with that our team could just be doing worse, then fair play to you.

It was a joke but sure

I've been pretty consistent that I think it's time for a change, I wanted it done in the offseason, but i think it's important to keep the criticisms fair. To often every fault gets blamed on the coach when some things are out of his hands.

 

[Micklebot]

I mean the margins of lose and victory in that series especially in games 1 and 2 are hilariously close that for you think the 3rd pairing of an NHL team in the finals isn’t important is as bad a take as I’ve seen here in years. Especially when so many grinding players make their reputation in the playoffs and especially some guys who play D. Don’t hear very often or small soft Dman who did great in the playoffs

When you’re Head coach says that the lesson learned from losing in the finals was “size matters” and he becomes GM and replaces Preissing and Corvo with big Dman is you just not following the puck and Bryan Murray being defined as a hard nose hockey guy and here you are defending players Bryan Murray called out himself for being soft.

Preissing went to L.A. and I think we was demoted to the AHL that same season. Played less then 100 NHL games after that, went from +/- leader to outta the NHL quikcly

If the margins were so close, maybe our league best top line should have showed up, or our secondary scoring, but no, let's pin it on the third pair... What a joke.

How'd that big Dmen that replaced Priessing do, oh yeah we got swept in the first round the next year. Mike Commodore and Luke Richardson were such a great additions....

Just one of the worst takes I've seen in ages... We lost because of Preissing. Good grief that's the garbage take of the year