Proposal: Fire DJ Smith

[Burrowsaurus]

DJ two great interviews now. Hard not to like him.

 

[ChickenDinner]

DJ two great interviews now. Hard not to like him.

Sure. Unless you like..you know...winning.

 

[Blotto71]

I think they’ve been learning those things.

I don't disagree, but have they been learning those things from DJ? When DJ suggests he is going to look at successful teams to get ideas I'm left feeling that he is not the guy to take the team to the next level

 

[SpezDispenser]

DJ two great interviews now. Hard not to like him.

There are issues though.

Firstly, our forwards don't defend well in our own zone. Some of it is on them, but alot of it is on Smith and co.

PP is fine, PK is fine. 5 on 5 not fine.

 

[The Devilish Buffoon]

I don't disagree, but have they been learning those things from DJ? When DJ suggests he is going to look at successful teams to get ideas I'm left feeling that he is not the guy to take the team to the next level

I think you misinterpreted that comment, as I explained above. Boston and Columbus practice very different, and the causal direction is roster quality -> practice structure, not the other way around.

That said, if they haven’t been learning those things from DJ… then where from?

 

[Burrowsaurus]

There are issues though.

Firstly, our forwards don't defend well in our own zone. Some of it is on them, but alot of it is on Smith and co.

PP is fine, PK is fine. 5 on 5 not fine.

Oh buddy. I know.

 

[SpezDispenser]

Oh buddy. I know.

I loled

 

[Blotto71]

I think you misinterpreted that comment, as I explained above. Boston and Columbus practice very different, and the causal direction is roster quality -> practice structure, not the other way around.

That said, if they haven’t been learning those things from DJ… then where from?

Hmm, perhaps, I cannot say that I know one way or the other (regarding roster -> practice). While I can see the value in keeping things simpler with a less talented roster, I don't see the value in the coach not having a sense of where they need to take their team to generate success. DJ's comment left me feeling that he has not been evolving himself, and that's concerning.

Guys like Giroux, Talbot, Holden all bring experience with how to prepare and play.

 

[Loach]

Hmm, perhaps, I cannot say that I know one way or the other (regarding roster -> practice). While I can see the value in keeping things simpler with a less talented roster, I don't see the value in the coach not having a sense of where they need to take their team to generate success. DJ's comment left me feeling that he has not been evolving himself, and that's concerning.

Guys like Giroux, Talbot, Holden all bring experience with how to prepare and play.

DJ having a meeting with Giroux and Debrincat at white board after a practice was curious to me.

 

[The Devilish Buffoon]

Hmm, perhaps, I cannot say that I know one way or the other (regarding roster -> practice). While I can see the value in keeping things simpler with a less talented roster, I don't see the value in the coach not having a sense of where they need to take their team to generate success. DJ's comment left me feeling that he has not been evolving himself, and that's concerning.

Guys like Giroux, Talbot, Holden all bring experience with how to prepare and play.

I would interpret that comment as him saying they are ready for the next step in the evolution. Just because he plans to focus in on how playoff teams practice over the summer, doesnt mean he is (or the staff are) completely blind to it. I kinda see it as akin to a GM switching their emphasis from one type of player (type could be age, developmental stage, quality, contract, play style, position, etc) to another.

Veterans absolutely help, but they can only cover up so much if the coach isn't getting through to the players. By no means am I suggesting he's perfect, that he's working miracles, or that he's solely responsible for any growth we've experienced. I just think he has done some things well and that his performance has tracked relatively evenly with the development of our players & improvements to our roster.

 

[Golden_Jet]

DJ having a meeting with Giroux and Debrincat at white board after a practice was curious to me.

DeBrincat was asked that yesterday, he said he was just listening , says this happens all the time with teams, it’s just usually not on the ice. Just discussing tactics he said, in certain situations.
He pretty much laughed it off as a nothing burger.

 

[Blotto71]

I would interpret that comment as him saying they are ready for the next step in the evolution. Just because he plans to focus in on how playoff teams practice over the summer, doesnt mean he is (or the staff are) completely blind to it. I kinda see it as akin to a GM switching their emphasis from one type of player (type could be age, developmental stage, quality, contract, play style, position, etc) to another.

Veterans absolutely help, but they can only cover up so much if the coach isn't getting through to the players. By no means am I suggesting he's perfect, that he's working miracles, or that he's solely responsible for any growth we've experienced. I just think he has done some things well and that his performance has tracked relatively evenly with the development of our players & improvements to our roster.

That's fairly put and not an unreasonable interpretation. I am not necessarily in agreement though, and I'd like to see a new coach next season.

 

[Sens of Anarchy]

DJ two great interviews now. Hard not to like him.

Nice guy. Communicates well. Or, do you mean as the head coach of the Ottawa Senators for the foreseeable future?

 

[Loach]

DeBrincat was asked that yesterday, he said he was just listening , says this happens all the time with teams, it’s just usually not on the ice. Just discussing tactics he said, in certain situations.
He pretty much laughed it off as a nothing burger.

I remember seeing the clip. Looked like G was doing most of the talking. Lol. Damn he was a good pickup. Bet he ends up in management after he finishes playing.

 

[The Devilish Buffoon]

That's fairly put and not an unreasonable interpretation. I am not necessarily in agreement though, and I'd like to see a new coach next season.

Fair on your end, and I would be happy with a new coach next season, too. But I can also see myself ending up pretty happy if we move forward with DJ.

I don't see him as the guy to get us a Cup, but I think he's a guy we can win a round or two with.

This actually puts it better and more accurately than I could:

Just to root for him. I think he comes across as a smart hockey guy too. I don’t want to be a sucker. But. I dono. I’m conflicted and I’ve ripped on DJ a long time. The way he talks it makes it sound like he does have a plan and some of these decisions have been calculated. Although I think we should have seen Sanderson zub a little sooner and I think he regrets it as well

 

[Burrowsaurus]

Nice guy. Communicates well. Or, do you mean as the head coach of the Ottawa Senators for the foreseeable future?

Just to root for him. I think he comes across as a smart hockey guy too. I don’t want to be a sucker. But. I dono. I’m conflicted and I’ve ripped on DJ a long time. The way he talks it makes it sound like he does have a plan and some of these decisions have been calculated. Although I think we should have seen Sanderson zub a little sooner and I think he regrets it as well

 

[Loach]

Just to root for him. I think he comes across as a smart hockey guy too. I don’t want to be a sucker. But. I dono. I’m conflicted and I’ve ripped on DJ a long time. The way he talks it makes it sound like he does have a plan and some of these decisions have been calculated. Although I think we should have seen Sanderson zub a little sooner and I think he regrets it as well

DJ needs a Giroux style assistant coach. The guys benefited from having G on the team. Bet DJ could use that kind of help on his staff.

 

[Sens of Anarchy]

Just to root for him. I think he comes across as a smart hockey guy too. I don’t want to be a sucker. But. I dono. I’m conflicted and I’ve ripped on DJ a long time. The way he talks it makes it sound like he does have a plan and some of these decisions have been calculated. Although I think we should have seen Sanderson zub a little sooner and I think he regrets it as well

He eats and sleeps hockey, and his team.. he has thought about a lot of things , alternatives, trying to win, trying to get the most out of individuals in more depth than anyone. He is learning on fly here too.. this is his 1st NHL HC gig and it was a tire fire for most of it.

There have been some common themes good and bad. I have no issues with him as a person from what I know of him, but I do think this team needs a change to grow even more.

 

[Cosmix]

DJ's team performance defensively is not showing much progress:

Season. Games GF. GF/G. GA. GA/G
2019-20. 71. 191. 2.69. 243. 3.42
2020-21. 56. 157. 2.80. 190. 3.39
2021-22. 82. 227. 2.77. 266. 3.24
2022-23. 82. 261. 3.18. 271. 3.30

 

[Butchy Dakkar]

I like DJ but am in the get a new (hopefully experienced) coach camp.

I think the new owners are going to want to make a statement to the fans. The way to make that statement is by changes at the top. That’s my prediction anyway.

 

[Loach]

DJ's team performance defensively is not showing much progress:

Season. Games GF. GF/G. GA. GA/G
2019-20. 71. 191. 2.69. 243. 3.42
2020-21. 56. 157. 2.80. 190. 3.39
2021-22. 82. 227. 2.77. 266. 3.24
2022-23. 82. 261. 3.18. 271. 3.30

Which is hilarious because......he was a fricken defenceman! Bahahaha.

 

[Sun God Nika]

Didn’t Patrick Kane cry when Denis Savard was fired at the start of the 2008 season or something? And then they brought in Joel Quenneville and won a bunch of cups.

If DJ is fired, the young superstars will need to find a way to cope with it for the greater good. His personality and rapport with the players shouldn’t trump how he deploys his system that has not worked for 4 years.

No team in the NHL puts up with such underachieving for this long…I wonder why…

It’s part of growing up, most of these players never went through a coaching change in their career. They need to understand it’s the NHL and results matter.

 

[Golden_Jet]

DJ's team performance defensively is not showing much progress:

Season. Games GF. GF/G. GA. GA/G
2019-20. 71. 191. 2.69. 243. 3.42
2020-21. 56. 157. 2.80. 190. 3.39
2021-22. 82. 227. 2.77. 266. 3.24
2022-23. 82. 261. 3.18. 271. 3.30

Goal differential
-52, -33, -39, -10

Gradual improvement

I like DJ but am in the get a new (hopefully experienced) coach camp.

I think the new owners are going to want to make a statement to the fans. The way to make that statement is by changes at the top. That’s my prediction anyway.

Depends on owner
One group might have people in mind and fire everyone immediately

Another group might evaluate for themselves over a year and not rush into changes.

 

[Tnuoc Alucard]

One group might have people in mind and fire everyone immediately

Another group might evaluate for themselves over a year and not rush into changes.

“ fire everyone immediately “ is unlikely to happen, can’t think of this happening, in thr NHL recently…. If you or anyone can, please inform me/us


”Elvaluate for themselvs” is the most likley scenario IMO.
this is what happened in Pittsburgh

PD has 2 more years left on Contract, and DJS has 1 more year, plus an option… so no need to “rush into changes “

 

[Cosmix]

“ fire everyone immediately “ is unlikely to happen, can’t think of this happening, in thr NHL recently…. If you or anyone can, please inform me/us


”Elvaluate for themselvs” is the most likley scenario IMO.
this is what happened in Pittsburgh

PD has 2 more years left on Contract, and DJS has 1 more year, plus an option… so no need to “rush into changes “

Pittsburgh's situation was different with a contending team and 2 ageing elite star players who desired another opportunity to win the SC.

We are a team out in the desert trying to find a Moses to lead us to the promised land.

My view is that Dorion has had sufficient years to put together a playoff team, given that he had some star players to start with and trading them. I do not have confidence in Dorion being the GM and the cost to pay him off is worth it to get a competent GM in place to manage hockey operations going forward. I would give the new GM the opportunity to decide if he wants to keep the scouting, development and coaching staff; he would have free reign to do what he thinks needs to be done to make the Senators a consistent playoff team and an SC contender within 5 years. There would be some constraints on trading star players (i.e., Tkachuk, Stutzle, Chabot and Sanderson).