How much rope does DJ Smith have? [UPDATE: None]

[Answer]

I was fine with DJ during the rebuild but now I really wish we had Bruce Boudreau.

This team needs to start winning immediately or DJ is toast

When we let him go, I hope he picks up Zaitsev and puts him in his luggage and takes him along

 

[JD1]

I doubt DJ is let go unless the season start is a disaster which I do not expect

I'm sure that the world championships were a learning experience for him

And I believe having a couple extra respectable vets in Giroux and Talbot will give an extra voice to structural team D.

 

[Tuna99]

With have the team as up as is now, his rope has to be very short. Even if the the defense isn't fixed, there's no reason we aren't steamrolling teams, our top 6 is as good as anyone's.

Our goaltending is as good as anyones in the Atlantic’s besides Tampa/NYR. Our C position might be the best in the Atlantics 1-4. Add Chabot, Zub and Sanderson and the D is good enough already, add that top 4 guy and we can beat anyone in a 7 game series

Ottawa has really really good depth, best it’s been since we were choosing between Spezza and Vermette for the 3rd line C (Jacques Martin of course chose Vermette)

 

[pzeeman]

This might be like a Montoyo situation, where he’s a great stabilizer for a talented young roster, but not the guy to take that roster over the top.

Guess we’ll see.

 

[aragorn]

A coach is only as good as his players & when you have a young tean as DJ has had since he got here, they make plenty of mistakes, we see Stutzle make mistakes all the time along with great plays. As this team matures & learns the NHL game & structures they should learn to also protect their own end, it's preventing goals that this team needs to learn, they will score plenty of goals. It's also improving their defensive end that will help them in the playoffs in 1 goal games.

DJ obviously needs to get off to a good start, but that also means the goalies need to be good right out of the gate & the defence has to be good as well. I also don't think they are done, I think they still need to upgrade on several players & will as some of their better prospects graduate to the NHL in time. At the moment the most important piece they still need to acquire for this yr seems to be an upgrade in the top 4 at RD.

 

[Loach]

So in two preseason games did it look like DJ got better? The same? Most of those players have been to rookie camp, training camp before, and in Belleville. Thoughts.

 

[Boud]

So in two preseason games did it look like DJ got better? The same? Most of those players have been to rookie camp, training camp before, and in Belleville. Thoughts.

Too early.

First step will be to see the opening night lineup.

Then see how the team plays for the first 4-5 games and how DJ adjusts if things go south.

 

[SENATOR]

None!

 

[Wallet Inspector]

Maybe it's mean, but it should be a short rope with the offseason we've had.

If we're underperforming 2 months in, he should be replaced.

 

[SENATOR]

Should not use Holden or Hamonic in top four, but a limited role on a third pair with Brannstrom. Should play Chabot with JBD or Thompson. Sanderson - Zub. Sanderson will learn squat, playing with Holden or Hamonic. But knowing good old DJ and his idiotic love for veterans, the start of the season will be a disaster.

 

[bicboi64]

Our October games are against the Sabre, Leafs, Bruins, Caps, Yotes, Stars, Dallas, and the Panthers.

DJ needs a record about .500 and a positive goal differential. If he can't manage that, he needs to be fired. We cannot afford another slow start for the 3rd season in a row. A record of 5-3 is a lot to ask for considering we've never had that under Dj to start a season but we've never had a legit top 6 to ice either.

 

[Golden_Jet]

Should not use Holden or Hamonic in top four, but a limited role on a third pair with Brannstrom. Should play Chabot with JBD or Thompson. Sanderson - Zub. Sanderson will learn squat, playing with Holden or Hamonic. But knowing good old DJ and his idiotic love for veterans, the start of the season will be a disaster.

Sanderson learns less playing with Zub nyet / da

Also Sandy’s dad asked DJ to play him with a veteran., not that that should matter.

 

[Loach]

I only got to hear half of the first game, but from reading the gdt it seems like the defensive structure, forward and defence, is still terrible. I know it's the first 2 preseason games, but most of those players have been here/in the system long enough. Is it more than rust?

 

[Golden_Jet]

He’ll get to December,

Then the fans will freak when it becomes Jack Capuanos job. Me included probably.

It’s either him or Troy Mann, I’m guessing.

 

[cudi]

needs to be at least .500 by the 20 game mark. Even that might not be enough, really depends how the eye test looks.

 

[Golden_Jet]

I only got to hear half of the first game, but from reading the gdt it seems like the defensive structure, forward and defence, is still terrible. I know it's the first 2 preseason games, but most of those players have been here/in the system long enough. Is it more than rust?

Half the guys are junior or AHLers,
don’t read much into exhibition schedule, learned that long ago.

 

[Sens of Anarchy]

Should not use Holden or Hamonic in top four, but a limited role on a third pair with Brannstrom. Should play Chabot with JBD or Thompson. Sanderson - Zub. Sanderson will learn squat, playing with Holden or Hamonic. But knowing good old DJ and his idiotic love for veterans, the start of the season will be a disaster.

No Zaitsev No Cry.

 

[Loach]

Half the guys are junior or AHLers,
don’t read much into exhibition schedule, learned that long ago.

I agree. It just seems like defense structure for this team has been an issue for a bit. I thought the saying went something like "You can teach defence, offence you're born with."....or whatever, you know what I mean. Lol.

 

[Cosmix]

I only got to hear half of the first game, but from reading the gdt it seems like the defensive structure, forward and defence, is still terrible. I know it's the first 2 preseason games, but most of those players have been here/in the system long enough. Is it more than rust?

Yes, it is the quality of the roster players.

The amount of rope DJ has is less than the amount that Dorion has.

 

[KingAlfie11]

The first 10-15 games will be crucial, if the Sens have another bad start Dorion need to pull the trigger and let DJ go. There's no more f***** around this season. That's my take on it

 

[Silky Johnson]

about this much.

 

[sennysensen]

DJ has enough rope to hang himself (Zaitsev).

 

[bicboi64]

Barry Trotz announced he's feeling healthy and refereshed after spending the summer with his family. I hope DJ has a short rope given that such a dope coaching candidate is available.

 

[LevelingSolo]

Trotz would be awesome but this team does not have a history of paying top dollar for a coach, I would assume any replacement for DJ would be an assistant coach or from the AHL

 

[BonHoonLayneCornell]

Trotz would be awesome but this team does not have a history of paying top dollar for a coach, I would assume any replacement for DJ would be an assistant coach or from the AHL

Different times without Melnyk around hopefully. With the group they've put together and the money they've put up to do so already, we're well in to uncharted territory as it is.