Management GM Pierre Dorion/Front Office Thread - Part VIII

[Ice-Tray]

Y'all are aware you're members of this message board too, right?

We’re all crazy in here, some of us just admit it!

 

[BankStreetParade]

Y'all are aware you're members of this message board too, right?

You really need me to point out why that doesn't actually make sense?

 

[slamigo]

Actually, who is on the board anyway? I think I saw the names in a Garrioch article but aside from that, there doesn't appear to be lots of easily obtained info. I'm especially interested to know to what extent the NHL is involved now. If it isn't very much, that needs to change. The team desperately needs a President of Hockey Operations.

 

[YouGotAStuGoing]

Actually, who is on the board anyway? I think I saw the names in a Garrioch article but aside from that, there doesn't appear to be lots of easily obtained info. I'm especially interested to know to what extent the NHL is involved now. If it isn't very much, that needs to change. The team desperately needs a President of Hockey Operations.

Board is comprised of Sheldon Plener, Lawrence Zeifman and John Miszuk. The former is a lawyer, latter two are “long-time business associates.” But you’re right, definitely doesn’t seem to be much effort to let the fanbase know any specifics.

 

[UglyPuckling]

Board is comprised of Sheldon Plener, Lawrence Zeifman and John Miszuk. The former is a lawyer, latter two are “long-time business associates.” But you’re right, definitely doesn’t seem to be much effort to let the fanbase know any specifics.

So, if the board/organization is being quiet, is that a good thing, or a bad thing? This is just speculation, but I'd think if they had good news, they'd want to release it to drive ticket sales. So, perhaps its still too early, and/or there isn't much in the way of good news to disseminate.

 

[senswon]

So, if the board/organization is being quiet, is that a good thing, or a bad thing? This is just speculation, but I'd think if they had good news, they'd want to release it to drive ticket sales. So, perhaps its still too early, and/or there isn't much in the way of good news to disseminate.

Gotta think we won't hear anything definitive until stanley cup is awarded.
Cant take away from the playoffs buds

 

[YouGotAStuGoing]

So, if the board/organization is being quiet, is that a good thing, or a bad thing? This is just speculation, but I'd think if they had good news, they'd want to release it to drive ticket sales. So, perhaps its still too early, and/or there isn't much in the way of good news to disseminate.

Yeah, I'm definitely struggling with the same question. On the one hand, you'd think a lack of prioritizing a "meet the new boss" might signal that it's not intended as a long-term approach. On the other hand, there's value in an organization obscuring where the power lies — less transparency also means less accountability. There's a temptation to lean on the latter explanation, but I don't know if I buy that there's anything malicious or deliberate here. I wouldn't be surprised if it just hadn't crossed anybody's mind in the organization that some fans may be interested. And the bulk of casual fans likely don't care that much anyway.

As far as anything concrete... seems to me based on past precedent that it would be released via statement first. The org's been doing this lately, presumably to avoid live press conferences and potential avenues for misspeaking. So not likely anything really to announce.

 

[Mingus Dew]

What ... his personal lawyer and two lackeys that got sanctioned by the OSC along with Melnyk as a "board" don't give you a lot of confidence that the team is in good hands? I can't imagine why.

Plener is a partner at a reputable law firm and I think he does sports M&A so I'm sure he's competent. I just mean I can't see these guys exercising any real authority. Kind of like an actual BOD except even more watered down.

 

[GCK]

I'm loving this "the board" stuff.

"The Board" is a complete joke. Everyone gets that, right?

The Board is just a financial oversight. As of today any hockey ops decisions are PD’s to make including hiring/firing.

 

[slamigo]

Plener is a partner at a reputable law firm and I think he does sports M&A so I'm sure he's competent. I just mean I can't see these guys exercising any real authority. Kind of like an actual BOD except even more watered down.

Which just screams to me that the org desperately requires a President of Hockey Ops. Dorion seems to be the face of the franchise. But the GM isn't the person in charge of hockey operations normally. It just seems to me like the structure is lacking.

The firing of Pierre McGuire is a perfect example. The move was a big splash last summer and then he was simply shuffled out somehow. Fan base is left wondering if it was merely Pierre Dorion consolidating power or what? I don't see this board as being the public face of the team or even the Melnyk family. Which is fine. But they really need a President or something equivalent.

 

[GCK]

Which just screams to me that the org desperately requires a President of Hockey Ops. Dorion seems to be the face of the franchise. But the GM isn't the person in charge of hockey operations normally. It just seems to me like the structure is lacking.

The firing of Pierre McGuire is a perfect example. The move was a big splash last summer and then he was simply shuffled out somehow. Fan base is left wondering if it was merely Pierre Dorion consolidating power or what? I don't see this board as being the public face of the team or even the Melnyk family. Which is fine. But they really need a President or something equivalent.

So many things need to get sorted out before any restructure of the Hockey Ops. Ownership, are the Melnyk’s keeping, selling, getting partners is the biggest.

 

[JungleBeat]

Dorion must be nervous that Hughes/Gorton got the #1 pick. Wouldn't be surprised if the Habs rebuild is further along next year and they started six months ago..

 

[Ice-Tray]

So many things need to get sorted out before any restructure of the Hockey Ops. Ownership, are the Melnyk’s keeping, selling, getting partners is the biggest.

Absolutely this. As long as there is someone to release funds, Dorion is fine to continue to build the team while more important issue are sorted out.

 

[Mingus Dew]

Which just screams to me that the org desperately requires a President of Hockey Ops. Dorion seems to be the face of the franchise. But the GM isn't the person in charge of hockey operations normally. It just seems to me like the structure is lacking.

The firing of Pierre McGuire is a perfect example. The move was a big splash last summer and then he was simply shuffled out somehow. Fan base is left wondering if it was merely Pierre Dorion consolidating power or what? I don't see this board as being the public face of the team or even the Melnyk family. Which is fine. But they really need a President or something equivalent.

I don't disagree.

Basically to bring this full circle "The Board" is a convenient scarecrow for Dorion to point to in order to create the semblance of a chain of command. He is 100% calling the shots.

 

[Tuna99]

Pierre Dorion doesn’t want anybody thinking he has a plan even though he has a 162 page plan, so he’s going to make his mind up later, this type of non-commitment is also good for Season ticket sales as a commitment to maybe do nothing but commuted to maybe I will, it’s called leadership with not 1, but 2 plans that go in exactly opposite directions:

 

[Burrowsaurus]

Hilarious how overblown every roster move and hiring/firing is. Any other team, a goalie coach being let go wouldn't even register with anyone outside the top 0.1% of the fanbase. Here though? A molehill suddenly becomes Mount Everest.

What on earth do you want our threads to be like lol. “Hmm interesting”
“Hmm too small to warrant discussion let’s lock this topic”

 

[Gil Gunderson]

Dorion must be nervous that Hughes/Gorton got the #1 pick. Wouldn't be surprised if the Habs rebuild is further along next year and they started six months ago..

Draft genius Pierre Dorion's 1st round pick in last year's draft was probably the only one in the top 15 that doesn't look like a great pick so far.

 

[UglyPuckling]

Pierre Dorion doesn’t want anybody thinking he has a plan even though he has a 162 page plan, so he’s going to make his mind up later, this type of non-commitment is also good for Season ticket sales as a commitment to maybe do nothing but commuted to maybe I will, it’s called leadership with not 1, but 2 plans that go in exactly opposite directions:

Oh boy.

I can get why players like Chabot and Tkachuk want to see some acquisitions. Maybe that's why it's important not to waste time acquiring crappy player (sometimes referred to as "mentor vets") like Stepan, Murray, etc. so that you can stick with your plan instead of being diverted by players who got frustrated and tired of waiting?

Now that PD has thrown chum into the water, the sharks are going to be circling.

 

[UglyPuckling]

What on earth do you want our threads to be like lol. “Hmm interesting”
“Hmm too small to warrant discussion let’s lock this topic”

I don't know, but maybe holding hands and singing Kumbaya is what some expect? Evidently having different opinions on a discussion board is not expected and is disconcerting.

 

[DaveMatthew]

Hilarious how overblown every roster move and hiring/firing is. Any other team, a goalie coach being let go wouldn't even register with anyone outside the top 0.1% of the fanbase. Here though? A molehill suddenly becomes Mount Everest.

You realize that by nature of being on an internet message board talking about the Ottawa Senators every day, we are 0.1% of the fanbase, right?

I mean, do you think a regular fan spends hours discussing the pros and cons of drafting Roby Jarventie over JJ Peterka!?

99% of fans in Ottawa don't care about a goalie coach, or Pierre McGuire, or Pierre Dorion, or the "162 page rebuild plan". Ask them "what do you think of the Senators?" and their likely response is, "Don't they still suck? Hopefully they're good again soon." All they want is a good team that makes the playoffs and a fun night out at a game once in a while.

You'd probably chastise them for being bad, cheap fans.

Care too much? Bad fan!
Care too little? Bad fan!

 

[FunkySeeFunkyDoo]

Pierre Dorion doesn’t want anybody thinking he has a plan even though he has a 162 page plan, so he’s going to make his mind up later, this type of non-commitment is also good for Season ticket sales as a commitment to maybe do nothing but commuted to maybe I will, it’s called leadership with not 1, but 2 plans that go in exactly opposite directions:

Tell me the words “The Sens will be open for business” aren’t the most exciting things 31 other guys have read this morning.

 

[Tuna99]

Tell me the words “The Sens will be open for business” aren’t the most exciting things 31 other guys have read this morning.

Sounds to me like the players are in control of this thing now. Dorion has so little good will with his losing record, terrible vet trades and incompetence in front of a microphone - sounds like the players are giving him ultimatums, which as a GM is always part of the plan.

Everyone wants to see a winning product and isn’t afraid to talk about it except the GM, he’s just lost in his own brilliance

 

[Sens of Anarchy]

Anyone else at least a little apprehensive on what Dorion calls help and who he'd trade the 7th for.

He's going to have to add to that 7th to get a really impactful established top 6 forward (Fiala, Keller). And I don't mean the guys you want off the team.
Start looking at lower end 2nd liners and higher end 3rd liners.

Guys like
Jason Dickenson
Connor Garland
Jonathan Marchessault
Sonny Milano
Andre Burakovsky


It will be interesting to see if Dorion can swing a decent deal for that pick or pick +
I am totally fine with hanging on to it but the pressure is on Dorion and he has left it until the players are starting to put additional pressure on him.,
The 2nd line at a bare bones minimum has to improve to be in the playoff conversation.

 

[Adele Dazeem]

If anyone thinks Dorion will use the 7th to draft, I'm sorry but you're not seeing the big pictute.

Big picture is very simple. Dorion has one more year (maybe 1/2 a season) to show that the team is ready to challenge for a Playoff spot.
If they're in the bottom-10 of the league come November/December - he's OUT.
He's most definitely going to move the 7th for a hot shot top-6 winger.

 

[Loach]

Matt D style trade incoming. Subtract and add at the same time equaling a net zero in team improvement, then say we did something. He will miss on this.