Proposal: Fire DJ Smith

[Sens of Anarchy]

I’d still like to see what DJ can do with a healthy foster and a sophomore Sanderson.

I think we should move on from both Dorion and DJ . DJ has reached his limits with this team

 

[Micklebot]

Highly doubtful him and his coaching staff survive the ownership change. Same with management. There will be a house cleaning coming as new owners will want their own people.

The question is how long will it take to bring in a new regime, if the sale doesn't close till Aug, they might ride out the year waiting for replacement options to become available.

I could see a new POHO, followed by a New GM prior to the trade deadline, followed by a coaching change sometime afterwards, but getting everything changed before the start of next season might not be feasible

 

[Race Dawg]

A wholesale change in all areas after the completion of the sale is highly recommended. Especially DJ Smith. He seems like a nice guy but this is a business and you must get results

 

[Ice-Tray]

Highly doubtful him and his coaching staff survive the ownership change. Same with management. There will be a house cleaning coming as new owners will want their own people.

Immediate change isn’t what usually happens though, but it’s possible!

 

[Senator Stanley]

I would be willing to bring back DJ if Dorion wasn't the GM anymore. I think most of our issues stem from Dorion. But realistically, I doubt DJ survives Dorion being replaced, and Dorion definitely should be replaced.

We've seen some very bad coaches come through the organization during the Murray/Dorion era. DJ isn't perfect, but he has some important things going for him and it could be a lot worse.

 

[Filatov2Kovalev2Bonk]

DJ as an assistant fine but as a head coach, lukewarm at best.
The new GM shouldn't have the complex Murray had where he wouldn't hire an experienced coach that he feared might supplant him or his experience. If Dorion is back well...we'll see I guess.

Alternatively, get him some high-end assistants and go from there if he must be kept.

 

[Tuna99]

I would be willing to bring back DJ if Dorion wasn't the GM anymore. I think most of our issues stem from Dorion. But realistically, I doubt DJ survives Dorion being replaced, and Dorion definitely should be replaced.

We've seen some very bad coaches come through the organization during the Murray/Dorion era. DJ isn't perfect, but he has some important things going for him and it could be a lot worse.

DJ should be credited for keeping a stable and focused rebuild and having the backs of all these young players.

But just to say to much baggage built up over the years to start a new season with him. He’s had so many poor starts and so many times this team has fallen off a cliff when they’ve needed a W

his late season collapse here sealed his fate - even his defenders now think he should go

 

[Senator Stanley]

DJ as an assistant fine but as a head coach, lukewarm at best.
The new GM shouldn't have the complex Murray had where he wouldn't hire an experienced coach that he feared might supplant him or his experience. If Dorion is back well...we'll see I guess.

Alternatively, get him some high-end assistants and go from there if he must be kept.

We literally have two ex-head coaches on the bench with him.

 

[Golden_Jet]

We literally have two ex-head coaches on the bench with him.

Ya Capauno can go.

 

[JD1]

Geezus, did DJ ever let in a lot of soft ones last night.

He probably should have had at least two more goals too

 

[Senator Stanley]

DJ should be credited for keeping a stable and focused rebuild and having the backs of all these young players.

But just to say to much baggage built up over the years to start a new season with him. He’s had so many poor starts and so many times this team has fallen off a cliff when they’ve needed a W

his late season collapse here sealed his fate - even his defenders now think he should go

I have my frustrations with DJ, like most people around here.

All I'm saying is that if Steve Yzerman (or name your preferred elite executive) came in as the new GM/POHO and decided to give DJ a chance, I'd give them the benefit of the doubt. We've seen truly awful coaches here and I don't think DJ is one of them.

 

[Burrowsaurus]

Not on him but I hate the idea is 1A 1B in net. I think both forsberg and Talbot suffered from that set up.

Geezus, did DJ ever let in a lot of soft ones last night.

He probably should have had at least two more goals too

Yeah 1 game is a crazy sample size. If only…there were more games to judge.

 

[Ice-Tray]

Not on him but I hate the idea is 1A 1B in net. I think both forsberg and Talbot suffered from that set up.


Yeah 1 game is a crazy sample size. If only…there were more games to judge.

They also suffered from long term injuries, so there is that.

 

[JD1]

Not on him but I hate the idea is 1A 1B in net. I think both forsberg and Talbot suffered from that set up.


Yeah 1 game is a crazy sample size. If only…there were more games to judge.

In the not too distant past, the games played floor for a starter was probably 60 or so games. There's maybe 6 guys going to hit that number this year.

1A 1B or two capable goalies is a pretty common model in today's NHL.

 

[bicboi64]

In the not too distant past, the games played floor for a starter was probably 60 or so games. There's maybe 6 guys going to hit that number this year.

1A 1B or two capable goalies is a pretty common model in today's NHL.

I just checked it out, currently 2 guys with 60, and 5 guys with 57 games played...Man it feels so weird to see that. I could've sworn it was yesterday that it was common for goalies to play 70 games lol, but that was legit almost 20 years ago

 

[Ice-Tray]

In the not too distant past, the games played floor for a starter was probably 60 or so games. There's maybe 6 guys going to hit that number this year.

1A 1B or two capable goalies is a pretty common model in today's NHL.

Some teams need 3!

 

[Burrowsaurus]

They also suffered from long term injuries, so there is that.

One guy got injured. Zub was on an off. Not enough for me to forget all the defensive breakdowns we’ve consistently seen for multiple years

In the not too distant past, the games played floor for a starter was probably 60 or so games. There's maybe 6 guys going to hit that number this year.

1A 1B or two capable goalies is a pretty common model in today's NHL.

It’s not about games played. It’s about psychologically maybe not feeling safe in the net. Most teams know who their number 1 is. We didn’t

 

[JD1]

I just checked it out, currently 2 guys with 60, and 5 guys with 57 games played...Man it feels so weird to see that. I could've sworn it was yesterday that it was common for goalies to play 70 games lol, but that was legit almost 20 years ago

And it drops off quickly from there.

Likely Vezina nominee Ulmark has only started 47.

And for all the Gus fans, I thought the 44/34 Fleury/Gus split was interesting

Some teams need 3!

Some teams need 7

 

[bicboi64]

And it drops off quickly from there.

Likely Vezina nominee Ulmark has only started 47.

And for all the Gus fans, I thought the 44/34 Fleury/Gus split was interesting

Boston has the least amount of goals allowed. Obviously their forwards and D are dope, but Swayman is a big part of that team as well. I was hoping the Sens could try getting him, but not sure if Boston will let him go. Having two goalies that can play 35+ games is so vital now. A guy can hope though.

 

[Tuna99]

I have my frustrations with DJ, like most people around here.

All I'm saying is that if Steve Yzerman (or name your preferred elite executive) came in as the new GM/POHO and decided to give DJ a chance, I'd give them the benefit of the doubt. We've seen truly awful coaches here and I don't think DJ is one of them.

I agree with this in the sense that yes - if a top experienced GM and POHO in the game comes to Ottawa (Yzerman, Dubas, BriseBois - the Montreal model has been great) who supports DJ and brings a ton of stability and credibility on and off the ice (gets a goalie and figured out the D once and for all, and sells out the building)

But it only works if DJ wins right out of the gate. Game 1 has to be a win and you have to maintain a winning record from that point on. That’s his margin of error and it’s portably not fair. I’m kinda sick of his message even if the players aren’t, I think the fanbase as a whole feels it’s gone stale. If they aren’t winning right out of the gate or at least right there after 4-6 games I think the fan bases patience with the “go hard, track, do it right” message will be razor thin.

 

[Sun God Nika]

I don't think anyone knows what ownership will do.

Here are some scenarios I see.

- Maybe they buy what Dorion is selling and let him continue his plan with DJ. 100% sold.

- They are critical of Dorions record and tell him he has the next season to make the playoffs or he is gone.

- They clean house right away.

- They promote Dorion to president of hockey ops, and bring in a new GM and a new coach.


Dorion and DJ Smith were not hired solely because of qualifications and merit. They were hired mainly because they were cheap and they can work with an abusive boss without making a scene. New owners need to also understand that when they are making their decision.


Me personally I would like to keep Dorion involved preferably as head of hockey opps just to protect the core from a GM who doesn't understand how every piece on the chess board moves exactly. Also think it is fair to him to be involved when the team he assembled wins the cup. But I want DJ gone 100%.

 

[ChurchOfAlfie]

 

[Golden_Jet]

85% of the poll, not all fans reside on HFB, he will be gone just don’t know when.

 

[Cosmix]

I don't think anyone knows what ownership will do.

Here are some scenarios I see.

- Maybe they buy what Dorion is selling and let him continue his plan with DJ. 100% sold.

- They are critical of Dorions record and tell him he has the next season to make the playoffs or he is gone.

- They clean house right away.

- They promote Dorion to president of hockey ops, and bring in a new GM and a new coach.


Dorion and DJ Smith were not hired solely because of qualifications and merit. They were hired mainly because they were cheap and they can work with an abusive boss without making a scene. New owners need to also understand that when they are making their decision.


Me personally I would like to keep Dorion involved preferably as head of hockey opps just to protect the core from a GM who doesn't understand how every piece on the chess board moves exactly. Also think it is fair to him to be involved when the team he assembled wins the cup. But I want DJ gone 100%.

If the new owners want to make meaningful and significant changes to the team to overcome the stench of the last few years, Dorion and DJ must go asap. Neither should have a place in the hockey operations of this team going forward.

 

[Loach]

If the new owners want to make meaningful and significant changes to the team to overcome the stench of the last few years, Dorion and DJ must go asap. Neither should have a place in the hockey operations of this team going forward.

We could put pictures of them somewhere in CTC...so we can remember and not repeat history.