Proposal: Fire DJ Smith

Should the Sens fire DJ Smith?


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Crosside

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Aug 1, 2018
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Michel Bergeron want Roy to be the Sens coach. Dorion was at one of Gatineau Olympique against Quebec Ramparts. Team that Roy coach and going to the LHJMQ final
 

Sens in Process

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Oct 1, 2012
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Eh, I want to see what DJ can do with a healthy lineup this season, not going to lie.

Old coaches are getting replaced because hey can’t reach and speak to the kids these days.

I’d rather find a way to be on the cutting edge than picking from the fired bin. I’d prefer DJ right now over any of the available, fired, head coaches.

Bring me another young assistant coach who is the next guy to break in, like DJ, and I’d listen.

But I think DJ has more to give this team, and I’m not a big grass is greener guy.

I think the push to get rid of DJ is misguided and rather unfortunate considering the following circumstances:
-Sexual Scandal involving two important players( enough to tear apart a room)
-Integration of several rookies
-Norris Injury
-Elevation of two rookie centers into 2nd and 3rd line duties.
-Erratic Goaltending - compounded with the injuries to Talbot and Forsberg
-Defense - for most of the season- was totally inadequate from a construction perspective. Hamonic played admirably, but had to play an elevated role
-Overall Injuries

Despite all these barriers:
- Team a plus 94 or so in odd man rushes (which to me demonstrates good structure)
-The development of young players - Stutzle, Tkachuk, Brannstrom, etc.
-Excellent PP and PK - although faded a bit toward the end of the season.
-Almost snuck into the playoffs.
-Never lost the room - team never quit

It is no brainer- lets see what he can do with a well constructed roster and the positive vibes of new ownership. If the team falters, fire him.
 

Random Comment

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Mar 5, 2018
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Not confirmed it was Michael Del Zotto, but I assume this is who posted their review on DJ:

« Cannot think or coach the game for himself. Copies other coaches systems and tactics. Unable to adjust in game. Tries to hard to be "one of the boys" instead of holding players accountable. »
 

Micklebot

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Apr 27, 2010
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Michel Bergeron want Roy to be the Sens coach. Dorion was at one of Gatineau Olympique against Quebec Ramparts. Team that Roy coach and going to the LHJMQ final
I can't imagine Roy would want to work under Dorion after he departed Colorado because he wanted more control than Sakic would allow.
 

Crosside

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Aug 1, 2018
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I heard both talk after the first interview. Both seem to have appreciate

I think Roy would be the perfect fit. He know how to work with new young generation. He know how to win the cup. People talk how DJ have no emotion behind the bench and how he never shit on the ref. Would be all the opposite with Roy. The rivalty with Habs would be high. Would help to marketing the francophones community
 

Micklebot

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Apr 27, 2010
56,993
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I’d take Roy. Very good technical coach.
Can't say I have a good recollection of Roy's coaching style in Colorado, I mean, I remember him being among the earliest adopters of pulling goalies early, but in terms of how structured his team played, what kind of forcheck he preferred to employ, how his teams played their DZC, how he adapted his system to the opposition, I really don't recall...

At the high level, I remember Varlamov being a monster for them, and some talented young forwards pushing to offense, but I can't really tie any of their success, or lack there off, to coaching.

Not saying I wouldn't be open to Roy as a coach, but he seems very much like a question mark to me.
 
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bert

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Nov 11, 2002
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Brannstrom is eligible for arbitration so yes he has some leverage

He's going to get a decent bump
He has no leverage. His season from a statistical standpoint as an offensive d man was brutal he is 4 years away from UFA. Arbitration won't help him.


This coward blocked me on Twitter. Haha what a trash thing to post too. Glad I don't have to see this terrible content. Imagine having the audacity to post this about someone but can't take any criticism of their own.
 

bert

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Nov 11, 2002
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I'd rather not, if he can't put up goals with a top 6 consisting of Panarin, Zibby, Kreider, Kane, Trochek, and Tarasenko, he won't be able to get any scoring out of our guys. Plus he stifles youth development
He went to the conference finals last year.

There’s a verification process and all the reviews are approved by the admins. I checked some coaches with good reputations (Keefe, Bednar, Evason) and the reviews are positive. Sutter has a terrible review which is to be expected.

It seems pretty legit…
Sutter has 2 cups.... Yeah this is so legit. People hiding behind aliases trashing you online with no skin in the game and 0 hockey experience.
 
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bert

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Nov 11, 2002
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I think the push to get rid of DJ is misguided and rather unfortunate considering the following circumstances:
-Sexual Scandal involving two important players( enough to tear apart a room)
-Integration of several rookies
-Norris Injury
-Elevation of two rookie centers into 2nd and 3rd line duties.
-Erratic Goaltending - compounded with the injuries to Talbot and Forsberg
-Defense - for most of the season- was totally inadequate from a construction perspective. Hamonic played admirably, but had to play an elevated role
-Overall Injuries

Despite all these barriers:
- Team a plus 94 or so in odd man rushes (which to me demonstrates good structure)
-The development of young players - Stutzle, Tkachuk, Brannstrom, etc.
-Excellent PP and PK - although faded a bit toward the end of the season.
-Almost snuck into the playoffs.
-Never lost the room - team never quit

It is no brainer- lets see what he can do with a well constructed roster and the positive vibes of new ownership. If the team falters, fire him.
The same posters that shit on DJ were probably the same posters calling into TSN1200 that were blaming Keefe for the leafs turnovers to start the 2nd period on Thursday night. No idea who to hold accountable. Players make decisions coach's can only guide them... Everyone wants a scape goat. Sens land has chosen DJ when it's quite clearly Dorion is at fault. He built the team he has has 6 years he has had 6 top 10 picks he traded a teams stars in their prime. He can't evaluate pro talent.
 
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JungleBeat

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Sep 10, 2016
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I can't imagine Roy would want to work under Dorion after he departed Colorado because he wanted more control than Sakic would allow.
Dorion would give Roy all the control that he wants. Dorion historically bends the knee to coaches that he hires.
 

BonHoonLayneCornell

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Oct 16, 2006
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Yukon


Sure there should be some contrxt because the team was rebuilding, but DJ staying would be almost unprecedented.

It's only his opinion, but when Treliving fired Sutter, he argued this 2-4 years tenures are just the lifespan of coaches nowadays and their message gets lost if they're around too long.

I was shocked DJ wasn't let go in November last year more than anything else that's happened. Hopefully his rope is more like a string this coming season. Get results, or lets throw some other shit at the wall.
 

Loach

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Jun 9, 2021
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It's only his opinion, but when Treliving fired Sutter, he argued this 2-4 years tenures are just the lifespan of coaches nowadays and their message gets lost if they're around too long.

I was shocked DJ wasn't let go in November last year more than anything else that's happened. Hopefully his rope is more like a string this coming season. Get results, or lets throw some other shit at the wall.
This seems to be a thought shared be a few people. If the team doesn't have a good start, fire DJ. Just fire him now than. No point in keeping him if he's in the cross hairs, finger on the trigger and every game it's...Do I pull the trigger or don't I? It's easier to find a coach in the off season too. Unless an assistant is brought in to be his replacement if he's let go. In that case just let him go. Keep him for the season or replace him now.
 

Ice-Tray

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Jan 31, 2006
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Victoria
It's only his opinion, but when Treliving fired Sutter, he argued this 2-4 years tenures are just the lifespan of coaches nowadays and their message gets lost if they're around too long.

I was shocked DJ wasn't let go in November last year more than anything else that's happened. Hopefully his rope is more like a string this coming season. Get results, or lets throw some other shit at the wall.
Kind of self serving though as an explanation on why you fired someone.

As with most things I think it comes down to situations. If the coach loses the room, and/or fails to meet expectations consistently then sure, replace them.

But if the coach has been consistently meeting expectations and still has a good hold on the room and the support from the leadership group, what’s the rush to replace them?

Just cause other coaches get replaced sooner?

Its pretty clear that the league, other coaches, and players have a much different view of DJ than some fans in here. The fact that he has now become a fixture on the national team is a positive sign :)
 

BonHoonLayneCornell

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Oct 16, 2006
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Kind of self serving though as an explanation on why you fired someone.

As with most things I think it comes down to situations. If the coach loses the room, and/or fails to meet expectations consistently then sure, replace them.

But if the coach has been consistently meeting expectations and still has a good hold on the room and the support from the leadership group, what’s the rush to replace them?

Just cause other coaches get replaced sooner?

Its pretty clear that the league, other coaches, and players have a much different view of DJ than some fans in here. The fact that he has now become a fixture on the national team is a positive sign :)
I'm not a pitchforks guy with DJ and it doesn't even really come from my own opinion of DJ or him specifically as much. He's obviously liked by the players. I'm not sure the importance of that in the hypothetical they struggle next year. I think none. Ultimately, we will want a guy that gets results as the priority. It's just often how pro sports works. If we finish outside the playoffs next year, and DJ is still here for the following season, I think that would be absurd, especially since we won't be hamstrung by Melnyk's cheap hiring requirements and will have a bigger pool available than the teams ever had. He's had ups and downs, like Dorion, and whatever direction the organization chooses to go is reasonable.

Its pretty simple imo, DJ needs his team to make the playoffs next year or we should move on. Doesn't seem out of line at all. Keep the leash short and I'd bet many "informed" people in the industry would agree that's both what's necessary and likely.

Same goes for the players. Next year is the "results" season.

All good if you don't agree with that. I'm confident those making decisions will install a new coach should the team struggle next year. Year 6, time for playoffs.

This seems to be a thought shared be a few people. If the team doesn't have a good start, fire DJ. Just fire him now than. No point in keeping him if he's in the cross hairs, finger on the trigger and every game it's...Do I pull the trigger or don't I? It's easier to find a coach in the off season too. Unless an assistant is brought in to be his replacement if he's let go. In that case just let him go. Keep him for the season or replace him now.
Well, lots of coaches go in to the season in similar situations. I don't look at it like he has a target on his back, he gets another chance and he just needs his team to perform and it would all be moot, or he'll be another in a very long line of coaches looking for work from a lack of results. I'd be fine with a replacement now instead too, but more so, I just hope the leash is short and we shouldn't screw around.
 
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Sens Vader

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Jan 23, 2016
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Gallant!!! Yes, let’s get him

Significantly better coach than DJ
 
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Tragedy

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Jan 10, 2013
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Regina, SK
Kind of self serving though as an explanation on why you fired someone.

As with most things I think it comes down to situations. If the coach loses the room, and/or fails to meet expectations consistently then sure, replace them.

But if the coach has been consistently meeting expectations and still has a good hold on the room and the support from the leadership group, what’s the rush to replace them?

Just cause other coaches get replaced sooner?

Its pretty clear that the league, other coaches, and players have a much different view of DJ than some fans in here. The fact that he has now become a fixture on the national team is a positive sign :)
For worlds, when the good coaches are busy with the playoffs 😅
 

Ice-Tray

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Jan 31, 2006
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I'm not a pitchforks guy with DJ and it doesn't even really come from my own opinion of DJ or him specifically as much. He's obviously liked by the players. I'm not sure the importance of that in the hypothetical they struggle next year. I think none. Ultimately, we will want a guy that gets results as the priority. It's just often how pro sports works. If we finish outside the playoffs next year, and DJ is still here for the following season, I think that would be absurd, especially since we won't be hamstrung by Melnyk's cheap hiring requirements and will have a bigger pool available than the teams ever had. He's had ups and downs, like Dorion, and whatever direction the organization chooses to go is reasonable.

Its pretty simple imo, DJ needs his team to make the playoffs next year or we should move on. Doesn't seem out of line at all. Keep the leash short and I'd bet many "informed" people in the industry would agree that's both what's necessary and likely.

Same goes for the players. Next year is the "results" season.

All good if you don't agree with that. I'm confident those making decisions will install a new coach should the team struggle next year. Year 6, time for playoffs.


Well, lots of coaches go in to the season in similar situations. I don't look at it like he has a target on his back, he gets another chance and he just needs his team to perform and it would all be moot, or he'll be another in a very long line of coaches looking for work from a lack of results. I'd be fine with a replacement now instead too, but more so, I just hope the leash is short and we shouldn't screw around.
I don’t necessarily disagree with anything you said, in fact I tend to agree :) I’d like to see him here next season with a healthy hungry squad. What happens will dictate things for the entire coaching staff and front office.

As usual I’ll roll with whatever the new owners do as I’m mostly about the team on the ice at the end of the day.
 
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