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

[Billy Bridges]

I assume Staios believes they need a high end prospect with their 1st this year to complete the rebuild.

 

[Sens of Anarchy]

I assume Staios believes they need a high end prospect with their 1st this year to complete the rebuild.

Maybe he should start augmenting the Amateur scouting staff . Mann has not been replaced and the staff is still very thin

 

[Alf Silfversson]

The Oilers are going to fire Woodcroft and take their pick of the best available coaches, aren't they?

 

[Beech]

The Oilers are going to fire Woodcroft and take their pick of the best available coaches, aren't they?

they are in a similar position to Ottawa.

Their GM is on shaky ground. It is his last year. They are calling him a lame Duck. He is hanging in their because he wants to see if he can get his son to replace him!!!!

if they opt to replace Holland, then they have to wait on a new GM to hire a coach.. All that is this summer.

So.. interim coach in Edmonton.. then moves in the summer.

As for the best pick.. who.. Many are employed. Those not, have warts.

 

[Ice-Tray]

At this point I would can Payne, DJ, and Cap, bring up Bell as interim.

Add a hotshot up and comer to the assistant roll, and let Bowness hire for Belleville.

The new GM can then do as he wants when he is hired in the off season.

New voice, and a shake up is needed. This is the way to do it so that you get the change early, but also don’t handcuff the new guy later.

I like DJ, but I really think the players need to learn the meaning of consequences, and sometimes it hurts more when your actions cause consequences to other people that you respect.

 

[Ice-Tray]

I assume Staios believes they need a high end prospect with their 1st this year to complete the rebuild.

I think that they don’t mind either way to be honest.

They know they have the runway to have a bad season and got the ground running with another wave of positive changes this off season to truly make the team their own.

I don’t think they will rush any long term hires, and I think all of their moves will be big picture and long term. The new GM getting two first is a nice starting bonus to work from.

Having said that I think Staios needs to make some short term moves like bringing up Bell, and he of course also has to keep an eye on Kubalik and Tank in terms of deadline deals vs extensions.

 

[Beech]

I think that they don’t mind either way to be honest.

They know they have the runway to have a bad season and got the ground running with another wave of positive changes this off season to truly make the team their own.

I don’t think they will rush any long term hires, and I think all of their moves will be big picture and long term. The new GM getting two first is a nice starting bonus to work from.

Having said that I think Staios needs to make some short term moves like bringing up Bell, and he of course also has to keep an eye on Kubalik and Tank in terms of deadline deals vs extensions.

Chabot is proving that he is not a #1... and has accumulated injuries. In 2 years, he may be a #4.
Chyc.. may be priced out of this city.. Chabot's 8 M and Sanderson's 8 M and Zub's 5 M.. will make it difficult for a 6-8 M player to be added to the D-core. Plus, you have Kleven, who may mature onto a top 4 D. He too may want his 4-8 M.

And so on D, a quality pick can give them options.. Move Klevin, move Chyc. In 2-3 years their #1 slides in as a 20/21 year old and is there well into the 2030's.


Giroux has this year and next.. Tarasenko's spot..Batherson's spot.. Norris and his shoulder.. Pinto and his (Who knows what).. Greig and his salary demands.

in 2 years, 1 to 3 prime top 6 spots will open and 1 or 2, 3rd line player spots will open.. a #1 pick will be 20/21, step in and be with them into the 2030's.


Andlauer is no dummy. When he said a #1 pick is important to me.. he was staring at 2025/2026 or 2026/2027 through 2035.

Korchinski is playing in Chicago, Imagine him here! No Hamonic, no Brannstrom.. Trade Klevin for a haul.. and 8-10 years moving forward.

 

[Golden_Jet]

I think that they don’t mind either way to be honest.

They know they have the runway to have a bad season and got the ground running with another wave of positive changes this off season to truly make the team their own.

I don’t think they will rush any long term hires, and I think all of their moves will be big picture and long term. The new GM getting two first is a nice starting bonus to work from.

Having said that I think Staios needs to make some short term moves like bringing up Bell, and he of course also has to keep an eye on Kubalik and Tank in terms of deadline deals vs extensions.

Tank has a NTC so would need permission.

 

[Cosmix]

I mean, a Patrick Roy hire gives us a coach and a GM...

Did we not already have that before with the coach deciding who to pick up (players he previously coached).

We'll see. It wouldn't surprise me if he stays in the role for the remainder of the season & either finds someone in the off season after the draft & free agent day or stays in it himself. That might give him a great deal of insight on how this team operates, drafts or used to & how they select free agents which has been a complaint on here for a while. They could also have had someone in mind for a while & are just waiting for the right time to introduce them, who knows.

Doing the job could help him a lot to know what is required with this franchise, what is working & what is not, who is helpful & pulling their weight & who is not throughout the org. We'll see if they select someone during the season or after it, but my guess is afterwards.

That is my guess too. A key reason is it will give them a wider choice of GMs as some existing GMs will be let go in the summer.

 

[Cosmix]

Tank has a NTC so would need permission.

True but could still be traded.

I think that they don’t mind either way to be honest.

They know they have the runway to have a bad season and got the ground running with another wave of positive changes this off season to truly make the team their own.

I don’t think they will rush any long term hires, and I think all of their moves will be big picture and long term. The new GM getting two first is a nice starting bonus to work from.

Having said that I think Staios needs to make some short term moves like bringing up Bell, and he of course also has to keep an eye on Kubalik and Tank in terms of deadline deals vs extensions.

Yeah, DJ and his staff have not shown they can get the job done.

I assume Staios believes they need a high end prospect with their 1st this year to complete the rebuild.

So, does that mean he will cause the team to tank?

 

[Golden_Jet]

True but could still be traded.

Yep, that’s why I said permission would be needed.

 

[Ice-Tray]

Tank has a NTC so would need permission.

Yup, and don’t get me wrong I like him at his price point and have been really happy with his game. I’d like to see him playing with better players.

Right now I’d like to keep him.

 

[LiseL]

Another way to say it is that.

The players of their own free will and volition do not adhere to the system.

In yesterday's post-game show on TSN 1200, Jamie Baker referenced an interview DJ did where he stated that champion teams fall in love with details. Baker talked about Tampa Bay as an example where they would play well in the regular season but fall short in the playoffs until they embraced the details. So, DJ gets it but the missing ingredient was accountability from the beginning. Skilled players have always relied on their talent when playing, they have to be convinced to incorporate embracing the details if they want to become champions. Steve Yzerman comes to mind. The Red Wings started having playoff success when Stevie embraced playing the 200 ft game. I'd love to know why DJ doesn't hold any of his skilled players accountable. Is it that they're too fragile, don't have the IQ to change how they play, or he wants to remain their friend? Unfortunately, we need a new coach to find out how much of it is on the roster.

 

[Ice-Tray]

In yesterday's post-game show on TSN 1200, Smitty referenced an interview DJ did where he stated that champion teams fall in love with details. Smitty talked about Tampa Bay as an example where they would play well in the regular season but fall short in the playoffs until they embraced the details. So, DJ gets it but the missing ingredient was accountability from the beginning. Skilled players have always relied on their talent when playing, they have to be convinced to incorporate embracing the details if they want to become champions. Steve Yzerman comes to mind. The Red Wings started having playoff success when Stevie embraced playing the 200 ft game. I'd love to know why DJ doesn't hold any of his skilled players accountable. Is it that they're too fragile, don't have the IQ to change how they play, or he wants to remain their friend? Unfortunately, we need a new coach to find out how much of it is on the roster.

Much like with parents, he has shepherded most of these young players into the league, and protected them as they developed.

It may be that he simply can’t be as hard on this group as he could or otherwise would do. It reminds me of McLean here when he pulled an about face the following season and the players didn’t take it well and he was fired.

It may be that you get the development guy for that period and you get the discipline guy after wards. One coach may be able to be either on different teams, but may not be able to pull the switch with the same group.

Any parent know what it’s like teaching your own kid something, and then watching someone else do it. They behave a lot differently when they know that loving dad will have limits. Crude analogy I know, but essentially it may be time for DJ to send the team off into the world, so to speak.

 

[Oduyanow]

If Andlauer & Staios are truly intending to stick with DJ until the end of the season no matter what, shouldn't they come out and actually say that ?

"DJ will be our coach for the whole season, full stop. At the end of the season we will then determine what our next steps are with respect to management." Or something like that.

Then, as a fanbase we can either like it or hate it but at least we will understand the ground rules for this season. As it is, they've kinda/sort of given him a temporary vote of confidence it seems (delivered through Giroux to the fans), so we're left wondering what exactly is their plan for the season which breeds our current frustration. Do they want to try for the playoffs, is that important to them ? Or are they content to just burn this year whatever happens, and gather more information ? Who knows ?

 

[swiftwin]

In yesterday's post-game show on TSN 1200, Jamie Baker referenced an interview DJ did where he stated that champion teams fall in love with details. Baker talked about Tampa Bay as an example where they would play well in the regular season but fall short in the playoffs until they embraced the details. So, DJ gets it but the missing ingredient was accountability from the beginning. Skilled players have always relied on their talent when playing, they have to be convinced to incorporate embracing the details if they want to become champions. Steve Yzerman comes to mind. The Red Wings started having playoff success when Stevie embraced playing the 200 ft game. I'd love to know why DJ doesn't hold any of his skilled players accountable. Is it that they're too fragile, don't have the IQ to change how they play, or he wants to remain their friend? Unfortunately, we need a new coach to find out how much of it is on the roster.

It's none of those things. There's a fine line between holding a player accountable and shattering their confidence, and IMO DJ is struggling to find that balance.

 

[swiftwin]

If Andlauer & Staios are truly intending to stick with DJ until the end of the season no matter what, shouldn't they come out and actually say that ?

"DJ will be our coach for the whole season, full stop. At the end of the season we will then determine what our next steps are with respect to management." Or something like that.

Then, as a fanbase we can either like it or hate it but at least we will understand the ground rules for this season. As it is, they've kinda/sort of given him a temporary vote of confidence it seems (delivered through Giroux to the fans), so we're left wondering what exactly is their plan for the season which breeds our current frustration. Do they want to try for the playoffs, is that important to them ? Or are they content to just burn this year whatever happens, and gather more information ? Who knows ?

The problem with this is if the team goes through a horrific losing streak and DJ clearly loses the room (like Woodcroft in Edmonton), he reserves the right to fire him.

At the end of the day, it's clear they want to take their time do this right. DJ most likely safe for the rest of the season, barring an insane losing streak. But I think he's almost definitely gone at the end of the season when we land our new GM, and that GM can hire his own coach.

 

[ottawagm]

I assume Staios believes they need a high end prospect with their 1st this year to complete the rebuild.

How's Celebrini for LW? Or would we prefer Levshunov for RHD?

 

[Golden_Jet]

If Andlauer & Staios are truly intending to stick with DJ until the end of the season no matter what, shouldn't they come out and actually say that ?

"DJ will be our coach for the whole season, full stop. At the end of the season we will then determine what our next steps are with respect to management." Or something like that.

Then, as a fanbase we can either like it or hate it but at least we will understand the ground rules for this season. As it is, they've kinda/sort of given him a temporary vote of confidence it seems (delivered through Giroux to the fans), so we're left wondering what exactly is their plan for the season which breeds our current frustration. Do they want to try for the playoffs, is that important to them ? Or are they content to just burn this year whatever happens, and gather more information ? Who knows ?

I know it’s paywall, but Staois had a sit down with LeBrun and he basically said they have time with him being interim GM now. He said there is always more options available to you in the offseason,
Talks about spoke with the team
There was more detail in the article obviously.

LeBrun: Steve Staios' vision for the Senators, from the coach to the GM to how to finally create stability

From the coach to the GM role to player relations, Staios lays out his plan to add "stability and confidence to the group."

theathletic.com

 

[Tnuoc Alucard]

If Andlauer & Staios are truly intending to stick with DJ until the end of the season no matter what, shouldn't they come out and actually say that ?

"DJ will be our coach for the whole season, full stop. At the end of the season we will then determine what our next steps are with respect to management." Or something like that.

Then, as a fanbase we can either like it or hate it but at least we will understand the ground rules for this season. As it is, they've kinda/sort of given him a temporary vote of confidence it seems (delivered through Giroux to the fans), so we're left wondering what exactly is their plan for the season which breeds our current frustration. Do they want to try for the playoffs, is that important to them ? Or are they content to just burn this year whatever happens, and gather more information ? Who knows ?

Pretty sure MA and SS know where they stand on DJS. There is no good reason to make any type of announcement?
either way one segment of the fan base will have their noses out of joint, so why would they tie their hands so early in the season and just wait to see the season playout…. And when the time comes for a coaching change, SS will make it. There is no obligation to inform the fan base, and the entire NHL for that matter, about their inner workings of their organization…. It serves no positive purpose…. Why play poker with your cards face up?

 

[Oduyanow]

The problem with this is if the team goes through a horrific losing streak and DJ clearly loses the room (like Woodcroft in Edmonton), he reserves the right to fire him.

At the end of the day, it's clear they want to take their time do this right. DJ most likely safe for the rest of the season, barring an insane losing streak. But I think he's almost definitely gone at the end of the season when we land our new GM, and that GM can hire his own coach.

I do understand what you're saying but if DJ hasn't lost the room after 4 years of basically the same early season results (with quite a few of the same players), I honestly don't think that will happen now.

 

[Oduyanow]

Pretty sure MA and SS know where they stand on DJS. There is no good reason to make any type of announcement?
either way one segment of the fan base will have their noses out of joint, so why would they tie their hands so early in the season and just wait to see the season playout…. And when the time comes for a coaching change, SS will make it. There is no obligation to inform the fan base, and the entire NHL for that matter, about their inner workings of their organization…. It serves no positive purpose…. Why play poker with your cards face up?

Good points all. Maybe I'm just different in that I prefer to know where I stand versus the wishy washy middle.

 

[chipsens]

#Bums in seats at CTC were up 12% over last Oct for Sens sez soundofhockey.com, but will this +Trend continue w more sadsack coaching & losses? Unlike Leafs & Habs, Sens don't have regular sell-outs..

How many of the remaining home games will have attendance <15,000? Losing games= fewer paying customers
Will Sens be like Sabres, with half-empty barn on some nights? Will we drop to 10k this year if team tanks?

 

[Oduyanow]

I know it’s paywall, but Staois had a sit down with LeBrun and he basically said they have time with him being interim GM now. He said there is always more options available to you in the offseason,
Talks about spoke with the team
There was more detail in the article obviously.

LeBrun: Steve Staios' vision for the Senators, from the coach to the GM to how to finally create stability

From the coach to the GM role to player relations, Staios lays out his plan to add "stability and confidence to the group."

theathletic.com

Thanks, appreciate the link.

 

[Nac Mac Feegle]

It's none of those things. There's a fine line between holding a player accountable and shattering their confidence, and IMO DJ is struggling to find that balance.

Eh, I don't know about that. If it really is a fine line between honest correction and a player falling to pieces, then we've got the wrong players.

And if we're talking hard-ass coaches, even Torts isn't the same screaming lunatic he was a decade ago. Babcock is effectively out of the NHL. And we're never seeing Hartley or Keenan again. So it's not like it's a league of slave drivers behind the bench anymore. Even Paul MacLean isn't getting a sniff at the HC spots these days, and he wasn't even mean.