Management GM Pierre Dorion/Front Office Thread - Part IX [Mod Warning in post 1)

[Mingus Dew]

He has 2 more years, a good track record and a very attractive contract... DBC deal is different from a contractual perspective

His track record is mixed (especially with the injuries) but he's definitely a good player. Agreed that the situations are a bit different.

But if Jake comes in and is more of a Top 4 guy (rather than first pair) and the pick creeps up to 8 or 9 it'll sting a bit. That's all I'm saying.

 

[PlayItAgain]

There is zero semblance of system in the defensive end. Zilch.

In fact, one could argue there's no system period in any end.

I love that smith has enthusiasm, but it takes more than that in the top league in the world.

Edit: I'll edit this to say that if magically smith has turned the corner and the team stops panicking in their own zone, then I'm fine with him, but until that happens I don't see how anyone can watch them flail in their own zone and say, yes, this is great! Even if they've played better recently.

People keep saying stuff like this like if they say it enough times, it becomes reality. Care to explain to me how a team with “no system in either end” lucked into one of the best records in the nhl over the last 3 months?

 

[Senator Stanley]

Pierre has done a good job of understanding that once your core is in place, the picks don't matter so much given you're really just filling in bottom 6/ bottom 2 D spots.

I think the challenge for this group is going to be - is this a cup contender core? I don't think you could blame Pierre if its not. Part of it is drafting but a big part of it is luck (where you end up drafting, how players develop).

If you look at our core versus say, Toronto, Colorado, Tampa...we look pretty weak at the moment. I was doubtful before but I think Stu is a world-class player in the making. History has shown you probably need 2-3 of those guys. The only Cup winner in recent memory without 1-2 top 5 players in the game are the Blues.

So I'll remain cautiously optimistic. We're either going to be really happy or end up with a club similar to Winnipeg/NYI/Calgary etc where we're perennial lower end playoff teams.

At least the next few years will be fun to watch. Cheering for a draft pick gets old!

In any given year there are a handful of contenders who could legitimately win it all. That's the class you want to be in. Some of those teams are going to be built around a couple top 5 players (e.g. Pittsburgh, Toronto, Colorado) but they can't all be, and history has shown that teams built around "lesser" stars can be perennial contenders and win cups. I don't see why our core can't be on the level of the recent Boston, LA and Chicago cores, for example.

 

[Sens of Anarchy]

His track record is mixed (especially with the injuries) but he's definitely a good player. Agreed that the situations are a bit different.

But if Jake comes in and is more of a Top 4 guy (rather than first pair) and the pick creeps up to 8 or 9 it'll sting a bit. That's all I'm saying.

There is some risk for sure for that pick and how we finish the year.

I think he has that #1/2 D upside right now.. We will see over the next 20 games how he does . A good scenario this year is he solidifies the top 4 and adds 2 way strength. I am optimistic on that acquisition. As for the risk.. . Its there but I think its a good add longer term.

 

[FunkySeeFunkyDoo]

People keep saying stuff like this like if they say it enough times, it becomes reality. Care to explain to me how a team with “no system in either end” lucked into one of the best records in the nhl over the last 3 months?

Because the roster is actually very talented.

A team can be poorly coached, not play properly, lack system, etc... and still have a good record. It's just that that record could / should be better.

 

[PlayItAgain]

Because the roster is actually very talented.

A team can be poorly coached, not play properly, lack system, etc... and still have a good record. It's just that that record could / should be better.

The roster is also very young in most key positions. Getting adjusted to the NHL doesn’t happen overnight. You’re going to have ups and downs with this many young players. DJ has the team playing really really well right now. 3rd best record since mid January.

 

[SpezDispenser]

People keep saying stuff like this like if they say it enough times, it becomes reality. Care to explain to me how a team with “no system in either end” lucked into one of the best records in the nhl over the last 3 months?

Carried by the ridiculous core of forwards. It's getting better in our own end, but we can't afford a work in progress, nor can we afford to be beaten into submission by every team who is marginally better than we were.

Can you not remember being skated around in circles through long stretches? Do people here have such short memories?

I just want to WIN, I don't care if it's Smith or not. If he can do, then prove it against better teams. Nevermind the soft as shit Detroit teams, I want to win and I want to win soon. Don't you?

 

[Super Cake]

All that is left for him to do is fire Smith.

But if the Sens keep on rolling, i can unfortunately seem him getting another season.

 

[BoardsofCanada]

There is zero semblance of system in the defensive end. Zilch.

In fact, one could argue there's no system period in any end.

I love that smith has enthusiasm, but it takes more than that in the top league in the world.

Edit: I'll edit this to say that if magically smith has turned the corner and the team stops panicking in their own zone, then I'm fine with him, but until that happens I don't see how anyone can watch them flail in their own zone and say, yes, this is great! Even if they've played better recently.

We currently have the 14th best goals against in the league. Not elite, but pretty good for a team with, as you say, zero defensive systems.

 

[Sens of Anarchy]

Has Dorion saved his job?

 

[PlayItAgain]

Carried by the ridiculous core of forwards. It's getting better in our own end, but we can't afford a work in progress, nor can we afford to be beaten into submission by every team who is marginally better than we were.

Can you not remember being skated around in circles through long stretches? Do people here have such short memories?

I just want to WIN, I don't care if it's Smith or not. If he can do, then prove it against better teams. Nevermind the soft as shit Detroit teams, I want to win and I want to win soon. Don't you?

Again youre making these absolute statements which are not based on reality. Look at the Sens record over the last 3 months. They’ve been winning a lot and have beaten plenty of better teams.

 

[SpezDispenser]

We currently have the 14th best goals against in the league. Not elite, but pretty good for a team with, as you say, zero defensive systems.

Yes, "pretty good" is what we hope to achieve with this roster. Let's do it (pretty good-like)!

Again youre making these absolute statements which are not based on reality. Look at the Sens record over the last 3 months. They’ve been winning a lot and have beaten plenty of better teams.

You can win despite structure, it happens, what you can't do is sustain it. I'll take a year of playing well without literally running around like this and I'll be happy.

 

[BonHoonLayneCornell]

I think Dorion just bought himself an audition with new ownership. Maybe DJ too. Never thought I'd say that, but with the turnaround and Chychrun coming in, it's hard to see big flaws with the team. The summer will be very interesting either way. Makes me wonder what happens with Alfie if there's truth to the claims I've seen here that he and Dorion don't get along.

 

[GCK]

Carried by the ridiculous core of forwards. It's getting better in our own end, but we can't afford a work in progress, nor can we afford to be beaten into submission by every team who is marginally better than we were.

Can you not remember being skated around in circles through long stretches? Do people here have such short memories?

I just want to WIN, I don't care if it's Smith or not. If he can do, then prove it against better teams. Nevermind the soft as shit Detroit teams, I want to win and I want to win soon. Don't you?

We have given up 25 or less shots 11 times since Dec 1. That never happened before.

 

[SpezDispenser]

We have given up 25 or less shots 11 times since Dec 1. That never happened before.

Let's say he's turned the corner and can produce these results for a 82 game sample size instead of spurts, then you won't hear me say anything again. But don't act like this isn't one of the most important times in Sens' history coming up. Young core, salary cap manageable. This is it. Is Smith the one to lead us? I don't think so personally, but I hope to shit you're right if he's kept.

 

[GCK]

Yes, "pretty good" is what we hope to achieve with this roster. Let's do it (pretty good-like)!


You can win despite structure, it happens, what you can't do is sustain it. I'll take a year of playing well without literally running around like this and I'll be happy.

We have a ton of young players who are still maturing and learning what it takes to commit defensively. Improvement is obvious.

 

[FunkySeeFunkyDoo]

Has Dorion saved his job?

Depends entirely on their record from here to the end of the season.

 

[SpezDispenser]

We have a ton of young players who are still maturing and learning what it takes to commit defensively. Improvement is obvious.

I'll say it again: we need consistency and we need wins. If that's the case, then we're fine, if Smith falters, we can't afford to wait.

 

[GCK]

Let's say he's turned the corner and can produce these results for a 82 game sample size instead of spurts, then you won't hear me say anything again. But don't act like this isn't one of the most important times in Sens' history coming up. Young core, salary cap manageable. This is it. Is Smith the one to lead us? I don't think so personally, but I hope to shit you're right if he's kept.

I think Dorion and Smith will be replaced and I am fine with that. My defence of DJ is that he is not the worst coach the league has ever seen as some fans suggest and replacing him is not necessarily the panacea you think it is. If we can get a better coach I’m fully on board but it may be a grass is always greener situation.

 

[Super Cake]

Depends entirely on their record from here to the end of the season.

I don't think Dorion gets fired no matter what happens this season. I think the next one to go is Smith. Then based on what happens next season, then Dorion may go.

 

[SpezDispenser]

I think Dorion and Smith will be replaced and I am fine with that. My defence of DJ is that he is not the worst coach the league has ever seen as some fans suggest and replacing him is not necessarily the panacea you think it is. If we can get a better coach I’m fully on board but it may be a grass is always greener situation.

I'm on board with this exact line of thinking. I'm not advocating necessarily doing it just to do it, I just need (as a nobody) to see some frigging long term results. I want to compete, basically starting now, but for sure next season. I'm dreadfully tired of being mired in mediocrity.




EDIT: I had quoted a post that I had misread, so deleted. I agree with it, Dorion deserves to stay.

 

[Super Cake]

I'm on board with this exact line of thinking. I'm not advocating necessarily doing it just to do it, I just need (as a nobody) to see some frigging long term results. I want to compete, basically starting now, but for sure next season. I'm dreadfully tired of being mired in mediocrity.


You think Dorion is gone no matter what happens this season? I find that hard to believe. I've defended him before and then become exasperated with him and wanted him out at some points, but as of right now he's done what I think we all wanted him to do. He deserves a couple of years to see this through.

I think I may have structured my sentence wrong. Lol

I don't think he gets fired this season. It's what happens next season that may determine if he gets fired or not.

 

[SpezDispenser]

I think I may have structured my sentence wrong. Lol

I don't think he gets fired this season. It's what happens next season that may determine if he gets fired or not.

No, it was me. Sorry.

 

[Neil Patrick Harris]

Depends entirely on their record from here to the end of the season.

And the mindset of the new ownership, whoever they may be.

Unfortunate fact for Dorion is that he's not really in control of his fate at this point. Sens could be dynamite down the stretch, but he could still end up under a new owner who would prefer to have his guy in charge.

Still, he's certainly making a case for it.

 

[Super Cake]

And the mindset of the new ownership, whoever they may be.

Unfortunate fact for Dorion is that he's not really in control of his fate at this point. Sens could be dynamite down the stretch, but he could still end up under a new owner who would prefer to have his guy in charge.

Still, he's certainly making a case for it.

If i am the new ownership, i would give Dorion one more year just to see how this roster with Chychrun does. I think he deserves it.

But i would absolutely make him fire Smith. He doesn't deserve another season.