Proposal: Fire DJ Smith

[Tuna99]

I'm not advocating for less skill & it's the mistakes that need to stop by the skilled players.

Just refuse to play Zaitsev. Zaitsev is the exact reason Smith still has a job, neither Dorion or Smith will admit he’s done, he sucks and is not improving.

But Dorion and Smith think their loyalty helps with some imaginary quality which doesn’t exists when winning is the reason you are here

 

[Burrowsaurus]

I have no doubt that Zaitsev is a "good pro". But he's a bad player. His decisions of where to be, where to play the puck, when to play the puck, etc create chaos.

Is he the sole reason they're losing? No. But there's enough of a sample size to confidently say he's not part of the solution. Both the eye test and analytics are overwhelming.

DJ has a blindspot, that much is obvious.

Well it’s just like more embarrassing to defend the player publicly and even for the player to hear lol. If I was Zaitsev I would be like man stfu I’m cool right now

 

[Gil Gunderson]

Dorion prides himself on loyalty; which is a masculine way of never admitting you made a mistake or need to make a change because you’re a man and you made a decision and that decision is final for all the wrong reasons. DJ Smith has put a spell on Dorion and Dorion thinks he’s Al Arbour

A vote of confidence doesn’t mean anything. He’s not going to berate the guy in front of the media or fire him on the spot because of a question.

 

[Tuna99]

One thing's for sure is that DJ is a disaster at evaluating talent.

Dorion and Smith think winning is a happy locker room because he has PTSD from EK and Stone leaving. He thinks if the players are happy, he’s doing it right. The fans hate it, but when you’re a small town mentality, this is what it is.

NHL hockey is the business of winning, and some teams do it better then others.

Nobody in coaching or management in Ottawa knows what winning is. They don’t understand it, they don’t know how to go to it, they don’t know how to trap the necessary qualities and make things winning.

 

[JimmySpaetzle]

A vote of confidence doesn’t mean anything. He’s not going to berate the guy in front of the media or fire him on the spot because of a question.

Agreed, he said Boucher was our coach to the media only a week or so before firing him lol

 

[Tuna99]

A vote of confidence doesn’t mean anything. He’s not going to berate the guy in front of the media or fire him on the spot because of a question.

He doesn’t have to do any of those things or explain anything, Just fire him, say thanks; and introduce Barry Trotz.

The fans don’t need an explanation as to why DJ got fired, we watch the games, we see it with our eyes every game. we see Zaitsev in the lineup in 2022 when his career should of been over in 2019.

 

[aragorn]

Just refuse to play Zaitsev. Zaitsev is the exact reason Smith still has a job, neither Dorion or Smith will admit he’s done, he sucks and is not improving.

But Dorion and Smith think their loyalty helps with some imaginary quality which doesn’t exists when winning is the reason you are here

They have sat him out & it's only when Zub went down that they got forced into using him. I expect that with JBD up Zaitsev will be the healthy scratch again. They tried to trade him, but it seems no one wants him without giving up a lot to take him.

Unfortunately, they don't seem all that confident in their other D & the D they have are shaky at best. They got real lucky with Sanderson & need to get lucky with JBD, Thomson & Kleven to improve this defence or make a trade to upgrade the D. While it's an area of weakness so is the fact that DeBrincat who they brought in to score goals isn't scoring, this is also a big problem given Norris is injured & was the goal scorer especially on the PP. DeBrincat has yet to fill his scoring loss.

 

[Tuna99]

They have sat him out & it's only when Zub went down that they got forced into using him. I expect that with JBD up Zaitsev will be the healthy scratch again. They tried to trade him, but it seems no one wants him without giving up a lot to take him.

Unfortunately, they don't seem all that confident in their other D & the D they have are shaky at best. They got real lucky with Sanderson & need to get lucky with JBD, Thomson & Kleven to improve this defence or make a trade to upgrade the D. While it's an area of weakness so is the fact that DeBrincat who they brought in to score goals isn't scoring, this is also a big problem given Norris is injured & was the goal scorer especially on the PP. DeBrincat has yet to fill his scoring loss.

I could score 20 goals playing with Patrick Kane - Debrincat doesn't want be here and the players are trying to keep him happy by getting his goals up so he can get paid.

A quality I don't like in Brady's leadership is his crew is playing to keep Debrincat happy and overpassing to him. The focus should be on winning, Debrincat is a distraction to the group because he wants a max contract and that stats at the end of the year to get that contract and his teammates are focused on that instead of paying winning hockey

no wonder everyone loves Brady in Ottawa, they are all getting huge contracts and that's what they are trying to do for Debrincat and it's just not working on any level

 

[coladin]

Of course you claim to know better you said 'he doesnt know what it takes to win in this league'.

He is a better coach than Cameron or Maclean in my opinion. His players arent excecuting right now. When you lose one goal games like they have been it means they are in them and they arent doing what it takes to get done. When you are outchancing other teams more games than you're not that means you arent excecuting when you keep losing.

To me Chabot is getting him fired. He has been beyond terrible this year, when your number 1 d man is playing this much this poorly its impossible to win. My complaint here is he isnt sitting him or getting the most out of him. I wonder and I think its worth considering do they need a new D core coach. DJ doesnt run the D core's icetime.

I won't let Thomas off the hook that easily. Everyone can say he is playing too much. But we have not had back to back games yet. And his gaffes are in the 1st, 2nd and 3rd period. The ones ins the 1st period aren't about minutes. Chabot may very well get him fired, but it won't be because of playing minutes. He just isn't good right now

 

[aragorn]

I could score 20 goals playing with Patrick Kane - Debrincat doesn't want be here and the players are trying to keep him happy by getting his goals up so he can get paid.

A quality I don't like in Brady's leadership is his crew is playing to keep Debrincat happy and overpassing to him. The focus should be on winning, Debrincat is a distraction to the group because he wants a max contract and that stats at the end of the year to get that contract and his teammates are focused on that instead of paying winning hockey

no wonder everyone loves Brady in Ottawa, they are all getting huge contracts and that's what they are trying to do for Debrincat and it's just not working on any level

Why doesn't he want to be here when we have been hearing the exact opposite? This is a conspiracy theory I can't get behind, but since we are discussing conspiracy theories, what do you think this pic is? I took this pic about a month ago on my street, zoom in if you can. There are no wings, no exhaust, no tail fin, no lights, no windows, no noise & flying quite quickly.

 

[The Devilish Buffoon]

DJ played 45 games in the NHL, never in the playoffs. He hasn't won at this level, as a player or coach.

And judging DJ Smith against a poster on an internet message board isn't what should be happening. He should be judged against the other coaches in the NHL. And I don't think he comes out looking good.

I said there are many people responsible for the losing. And DJ is one of them. But you can't get rid of all the players. You can get rid of DJ and his staff.

And I agree with you, Chabot's regression has been a major factor. Do you see him getting back on track with the current staff in place? I don't.

And do I think this team deserves a couple more W's? Yeah. Do I think we've played all that well? Not really. Game to game, and even period to period, it's been jekyll and hyde.

This (highlighted) is an absolutely wild claim to make.

 

[DaveMatthew]

I won't let Thomas off the hook that easily. Everyone can say he is playing too much. But we have not had back to back games yet. And his gaffes are in the 1st, 2nd and 3rd period. The ones ins the 1st period aren't about minutes. Chabot may very well get him fired, but it won't be because of playing minutes. He just isn't good right now

Chabot was handed a role as a "top-pairing" defenseman. He never had to earn it, and hasn't played like one since 18-19. But every year, the organization has told him he's great and he believes it.

He's certainly been played too much over the last few years. But he sucked in pre-season as well, and we're only 11 games in. There shouldn't be much fatigue.

He just thinks he's more talented than he is. Erik Karlsson could get by on pure talent, Chabot can't.

This (highlighted) is an absolutely wild claim to make.

Chabot has gotten worse since 18-19. His coach that season was Guy Boucher.

Bad habits have become a staple in his game.

Do you think he's gotten better under DJ Smith and this staff?

In 1.5 year, Chabot will be the same age that Karlsson was when we traded him. Isn't that crazy?

 

[Tuna99]

I won't let Thomas off the hook that easily. Everyone can say he is playing too much. But we have not had back to back games yet. And his gaffes are in the 1st, 2nd and 3rd period. The ones ins the 1st period aren't about minutes. Chabot may very well get him fired, but it won't be because of playing minutes. He just isn't good right now

I bet if you put Chabot

Why doesn't he want to be here when we have been hearing the exact opposite? This is a conspiracy theory I can't get behind, but since we are discussing conspiracy theories, what do you think this pic is? I took this pic about a month ago on my street, zoom in if you can. There are no wings, no exhaust, no tail fin, no lights, no windows, no noise & flying quite quickly. View attachment 604598

Looks like DJ Smiths NHL head coaching career nose diving from high altitude

 

[The Devilish Buffoon]

Chabot was handed a role as a "top-pairing" defenseman. He never had to earn it, and hasn't played like one since 18-19. But every year, the organization has told him he's great and he believes it.

He's certainly been played too much over the last few years. But he sucked in pre-season as well, and we're only 11 games in. There shouldn't be much fatigue.

He just thinks he's more talented than he is. Erik Karlsson could get by on pure talent, Chabot can't.

Chabot has gotten worse since 18-19. His coach that season was Guy Boucher.

Bad habits have become a staple in his game.

Do you think he's gotten better under DJ Smith and this staff?

I think this is a really bad, completely superficial analysis. No need to argue about it.

 

[armani]

Why doesn't he want to be here when we have been hearing the exact opposite? This is a conspiracy theory I can't get behind, but since we are discussing conspiracy theories, what do you think this pic is? I took this pic about a month ago on my street, zoom in if you can. There are no wings, no exhaust, no tail fin, no lights, no windows, no noise & flying quite quickly. View attachment 604598

Nice photo, hope you have video as well. Did you see it zigzag or did it move in consistent speed at a straight line? Looks too big and too sunny for it to be the International Space Station.

 

[aragorn]

Chabot was handed a role as a "top-pairing" defenseman. He never had to earn it, and hasn't played like one since 18-19. But every year, the organization has told him he's great and he believes it.

He's certainly been played too much over the last few years. But he sucked in pre-season as well, and we're only 11 games in. There shouldn't be much fatigue.

He just thinks he's more talented than he is. Erik Karlsson could get by on pure talent, Chabot can't.



Chabot has gotten worse since 18-19. His coach that season was Guy Boucher.

Do you think he's gotten better under DJ Smith and this staff?

Karlsson was equally terrible defensively for yrs, this is arguably the worse yr Chabot has had defensively, but he has never been great at it, he's paid to contribute offensively like Karlsson.

Did you see it zigzag or did it move in consistent speed at a straight line? Looks too big and too sunny for it to be the International Space Station.

Straight line, coming from the north east & moving rapidly south west.

 

[DaveMatthew]

Karlsson was equally terrible defensively for yrs, this is arguably the worse yr Chabot has had defensively, but he has never been great at it, he's paid to contribute offensively like Karlsson.

Karlsson had the skating ability to make up for many of his bad decisions, and while there were still many defensive deficiencies, his ability to generate offense more than made up for it.

The same cannot be said about Chabot.

Today, even in his diminished state, Karlsson is a better player than Chabot.

 

[aragorn]

I bet if you put Chabot


Looks like DJ Smiths NHL head coaching career nose diving from high altitude

 

[bert]

One thing's for sure is that DJ is a disaster at evaluating talent.

Thats not for sure on any level. He isnt the GM you know that right? He does know you have to be hard to play against and compete something most people that post on here dont know you are exhibit A. You love small players.

He plays the players that the GM has given him. They havent been good. They werent going to outskill anyone thats for sure so what is he supposed to do?

 

[aragorn]

Karlsson had the skating ability to make up for many of his bad decisions, and while there were still many defensive deficiencies, his ability to generate offense more than made up for it.

The same cannot be said about Chabot.

Today, even in his diminished state, Karlsson is a better player than Chabot.

Well Chabot isn't exactly a terrible skater & he has in the past also produced enough offence to make up for his defensive errors. He is having a bad season so far & is in a slump, but with his skillset he could make up for it quickly. IMO they need goals from DeBrincat the most to make up for the loss of Norris & his goal scoring ability.

 

[armani]

Karlsson was equally terrible defensively for yrs, this is arguably the worse yr Chabot has had defensively, but he has never been great at it, he's paid to contribute offensively like Karlsson.


Straight line, coming from the north east & moving rapidly south west.

That's Ironman..Phil Kessel! Or a low orbiting satellite. Definitely impressive.

 

[DaveMatthew]

Well Chabot isn't exactly a terrible skater & he has in the past also produced enough offence to make up for his defensive errors. He is having a bad season so far & is in a slump, but with his skillset he could make up for it quickly. IMO they need goals from DeBrincat the most to make up for the loss of Norris & his goal scoring ability.

Chabot is a very good skater. But he's not a threat to score and is slow to make decisions (especially on the PP).

Ideally, Sanderson keeps developing and by the end of the season Chabot can play on the 2nd pairing and be insulated from tougher matchups. He'd be more effective in that role.

 

[bert]

I won't let Thomas off the hook that easily. Everyone can say he is playing too much. But we have not had back to back games yet. And his gaffes are in the 1st, 2nd and 3rd period. The ones ins the 1st period aren't about minutes. Chabot may very well get him fired, but it won't be because of playing minutes. He just isn't good right now

So what do you do to a player that is not performing? There has been no accountability for him from what we are privy to see which is icetime.

My largest complaint by far with this coaching staff is not distributing the icetime on the D core based on merit.

Chabot is a very good skater. But he's not a threat to score and is slow to make decisions (especially on the PP).

Ideally, Sanderson keeps developing and by the end of the season Chabot can play on the 2nd pairing and be insulated from tougher matchups. He'd be more effective in that role.

Ideally Chabot plays like he is capable of. If he doesnt then his contract is a massive anchor and this team likely cant win with him in the organization.

You need an elite D core to win, they need both and Sanderson Chabot to be top pairing D men.

 

[Sting]

Chabot is a very good skater. But he's not a threat to score and is slow to make decisions (especially on the PP).

Ideally, Sanderson keeps developing and by the end of the season Chabot can play on the 2nd pairing and be insulated from tougher matchups. He'd be more effective in that role.

Chabot is a good skater who doesn't skate enough. That is the reality.

Anyone else remember his WJC performance? That was the single most dominant performance I've ever seen from a d-man in that tournament. He was phenomenal because he was SKATING with speed. He did that in his first year or two in the NHL then seemingly decided to slow things down on purpose. Maybe it's a consequence of his minutes played...not sure....but the reason he is not a threat is because of how slow he plays now.

 

[DaveMatthew]

Thats not for sure on any level. He isnt the GM you know that right? He does know you have to be hard to play against and compete something most people that post on here dont know you are exhibit A. You love small players.

He plays the players that the GM has given him. They havent been good. They werent going to outskill anyone thats for sure so what is he supposed to do?

The problem is the way we play is very easy to play against. We let the other team gain the zone and establish possession in our end easily, and then collapse down low. This leads to us being hemmed in, long shifts, and eventually, gaffes. How many times do both defenseman find themselves behind the net after a 45+ second shift?

We should be much more aggressive in the neutral zone and our own end, and focus on pressuring the puck carrier. We have to youth and speed to play that way.

The way that Granata has Buffalo playing is what I'd like to see.