Proposal: Fire DJ Smith

[trentmccleary]

The team has been completely unprepared to play and bombed the first 20 games for 3 straight seasons. That's inexcusable and it's why DJ is a dead man walking. There isn't an executive in any industry that is going to sign off on that kind of failure for another year.

 

[Micklebot]

The team has been completely unprepared to play and bombed the first 20 games for 3 straight seasons. That's inexcusable and it's why DJ is a dead man walking. There isn't an executive in any industry that is going to sign off on that kind of failure for another year.

We've run into injury issues in the first 20 games both this year and last;

We had serious center depth issues with White and Pinto going down to start the year along with Murray getting hurt, then played through a covid outbreak last year that impacted a dozen guys. This year both Norris and Zub went down early and that started our big slide, then we lost Chabot for the final stretch of the first 20 games. The truth is we just aren't deep enough to deal with those types of injuries, that's all. Coaching may be an issue too, but not because we're unprepared heading into the season.

 

[trentmccleary]

We've run into injury issues in the first 20 games both this year and last;

We had serious center depth issues with White and Pinto going down to start the year along with Murray getting hurt, then played through a covid outbreak last year that impacted a dozen guys. This year both Norris and Zub went down early and that started our big slide, then we lost Chabot for the final stretch of the first 20 games. The truth is we just aren't deep enough to deal with those types of injuries, that's all. Coaching may be an issue too, but not because we're unprepared heading into the season.

They're posting a much better record now and are still without those players. They've had multiple late season stretches without key players and still posted better records than they did at the beginning of the season.
Jacques Martin had a fraction of the talent for the first half of his tenure and had a better record.

The Covid season is understandable. Didn't play for 8 months while other teams did. Short training camp. Turned over 50% of the roster. Heavy schedule to start without any practice time.

Last year, maybe. There were some obstacles, but don't make it a habit or it will be what's written on your tombstone when you're canned.

A third year... seriously? Is everything just going to be excuses all of the time?

Even 4 years ago, they started 4-9-1 under DJ before going on a small tear.

Out of 4 seasons, here is is 'first 20 games' per season record:
24-52-4, 0.65 points per game

and after:
71-66-22, 1.03 points per game

That's the difference between challenging for a wildcard spot or the 1st overall pick. We can't afford a coach who can't get his team ready to play before December.

 

[GCK]

They're posting a much better record now and are still without those players. They've had multiple late season stretches without key players and still posted better records than they did at the beginning of the season.
Jacques Martin had a fraction of the talent for the first half of his tenure and had a better record.

The Covid season is understandable. Didn't play for 8 months while other teams did. Short training camp. Turned over 50% of the roster. Heavy schedule to start without any practice time.

Last year, maybe. There were some obstacles, but don't make it a habit or it will be what's written on your tombstone when you're canned.

A third year... seriously? Is everything just going to be excuses all of the time?

Even 4 years ago, they started 4-9-1 under DJ before going on a small tear.

Out of 4 seasons, here is is 'first 20 games' per season record:
24-52-4, 0.65 points per game

and after:
71-66-22, 1.03 points per game

That's the difference between challenging for a wildcard spot or the 1st overall pick. We can't afford a coach who can't get his team ready to play before December.

Could have a little to do with the massive amount of new faces every year. Chemistry is real and it takes time. We all think about chemistry in terms of the 3 forwards or D pairs but defending as a 5 man unit requires communication and chemistry.

 

[Nac Mac Feegle]

I think our depth players haven't been just inadequate, they've been downright detrimental to the team. Almost all of the instances of this team getting caved in defensively are at the hands of Watson, Kelly, Joseph, Motte, Brassard, Zaitsev (has been better since his trip to Belleville), Holden, Kastelic, Brannstrom and company.

Maybe some of those players have better performances in them but have been limited by the true dead weight on this roster? That's kind of hard to quantify in a vacuum, I guess.

Especially this team's 4th line though, total momentum killer. I don't know where to find the stat, but I'm willing to wager they've been responsible for many of the longest shifts we've seen where the team has been hemmed in their own zone for 90+ seconds.

Pushing Pinto down when Norris and Stutzle are back should help. Joseph and Formenton pushing guys like Kelly and Watson out of the lineup would also help. All that to say, I don't know if alot of this is structure related or simply bad personnel performing poorly and that sticking out to us.

Likely equal parts of bad personnel and a system that needs tweaking.

 

[Tuna99]

We've run into injury issues in the first 20 games both this year and last;

We had serious center depth issues with White and Pinto going down to start the year along with Murray getting hurt, then played through a covid outbreak last year that impacted a dozen guys. This year both Norris and Zub went down early and that started our big slide, then we lost Chabot for the final stretch of the first 20 games. The truth is we just aren't deep enough to deal with those types of injuries, that's all. Coaching may be an issue too, but not because we're unprepared heading into the season.

Still think the team should be over .500. I think most fans recognize they are watching a better team this year, but the team to me is still underachieving. Should be better - should of started better and should be playing with better structure, they have improved but not enough IMO - and that’s on the coach. The PP is carrying the team now and good for them, but 5 on 5 we are are one of the worst teams in the league and that’s the metric that needs to change for the team to legit be able to stand with the playoff teams. Still hasn’t come together despite the team playing better

 

[JD1]

They're posting a much better record now and are still without those players. They've had multiple late season stretches without key players and still posted better records than they did at the beginning of the season.
Jacques Martin had a fraction of the talent for the first half of his tenure and had a better record.

The Covid season is understandable. Didn't play for 8 months while other teams did. Short training camp. Turned over 50% of the roster. Heavy schedule to start without any practice time.

Last year, maybe. There were some obstacles, but don't make it a habit or it will be what's written on your tombstone when you're canned.

A third year... seriously? Is everything just going to be excuses all of the time?

Even 4 years ago, they started 4-9-1 under DJ before going on a small tear.

Out of 4 seasons, here is is 'first 20 games' per season record:
24-52-4, 0.65 points per game

and after:
71-66-22, 1.03 points per game

That's the difference between challenging for a wildcard spot or the 1st overall pick. We can't afford a coach who can't get his team ready to play before December.

It takes time to adapt to losing those players when you aren't as deep as other teams. We're not just young, we're young in critical areas.

We started 4-2. Down goes Norris. Norris had established that he could play against other top C's on his half of the ice. So then what happens? You have Stuetzle and Pinto. They had maybe 60 games at C in the league between them? Name a team that made the playoffs with that limited experience at C. It just doesn't happen.

And, with Norris down we had to retool the powerplay. That took time. It worked out really well too, but it took time.

I haven't looked up man games lost to injury this year yet. In our case it's the significance of who we lost. I think we're close to being a dominant team...need to get healthy first

 

[Sens of Anarchy]

Lots of 411 on Smith's time here along with player comments.


A little bit fluffy but not bad.

Still don't expect Dorion and DJ to survive an ownership change.

 

[Micklebot]

Lots of 411 on Smith's time here along with player comments.


A little bit fluffy but not bad.

Still don't expect Dorion and DJ to survive an ownership change.

Lol,

Being on a list with Wayne Gretzky and Alex Delvecchio is usually a compliment, but that’s certainly not the case in this instance

 

[HSF]

sorry DJ?

 

[slamigo]

Meh I’m right back to wanting him gone.

 

[SensFactor]

Dj needs to go..now

 

[Sens Vader]

its his 4th season, 2nd in games coached for the franchise.

Cant say people weren't patient or he wasn't given enough time.

Trash coach, See ya! Fire him now

 

[Tuna99]

its his 4th season, 2nd in games coached for the franchise.

Cant say people weren't patient or he wasn't given enough time.

Trash coach, See ya! Fire him now

Jason York said everything is in a holding pattern for the Sens right now to keep their books even for the new owners (ie they won’t hire a new coach and add $2 million to the payroll right now). It’ll be DJ for the season apparently until the team is actually in the hands of new ownership

 

[Agent Zuuuub]

Spoiled young players who put up points on the power play so they all think they are playing great and don't need to play defense.

And a coach who wants to be best friends with all the young players so he lets them not play any defense and lets them cheat for offense.

Disgraceful environment Dorion has created.

 

[DylanSensFan]

Jason York said everything is in a holding pattern for the Sens right now to keep their books even for the new owners (ie they won’t hire a new coach and add $2 million to the payroll right now). It’ll be DJ for the season apparently until the team is actually in the hands of new ownership

So why the f*** did we get all these players and talk about making the playoffs? This is a goddamn joke. I am tired of this. I've been a fan since 1992. Since the Chris Phillips draft. I am tired of watching this team look like shit for seven years. Not worth it for me to watch these games on most nights this year.

 

[Bileur]

Get this fat f*** off this team.

There’s plenty to complain about with DJ without getting petty about his body.

 

[Sens Vader]

Jason York said everything is in a holding pattern for the Sens right now to keep their books even for the new owners (ie they won’t hire a new coach and add $2 million to the payroll right now). It’ll be DJ for the season apparently until the team is actually in the hands of new ownership

Yeah I kinda figured that, annoying but understandable.

 

[h2]

I know there's more issues than this, but I have a huge issue with DJ's reluctance to change goalies after bad starts.

That's a few times this season now when the goalies weren't ready but DJ let's it ride out. I think DJ's insistence on being a players coach and being one of the buds/supporting the player is a huge liability for his decision making. It's going to cost him his career eventually.

 

[Sens of Anarchy]

Jason York said everything is in a holding pattern for the Sens right now to keep their books even for the new owners (ie they won’t hire a new coach and add $2 million to the payroll right now). It’ll be DJ for the season apparently until the team is actually in the hands of new ownership

Lots of people thinking this.
I wonder if signing Zub will be hampered.

 

[LevelingSolo]

its his 4th season, 2nd in games coached for the franchise.

Cant say people weren't patient or he wasn't given enough time.

Trash coach, See ya! Fire him now

Damn that tells you something about the quality of coaches that have come through here though

 

[Ice-Tray]

Get this fat f*** off this team.

Body image shaming?

 

[Senator Stanley]

"Not hard enough". We hear it over and over.

 

[OD99]

There’s plenty to complain about with DJ without getting petty about his body.

Especially from someone who's handle is, "Super Cake" like some magical dessert.

 

[TonySoprano11]

Has everyone come to their senses again and gotten back on the Fire DJ train?