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

[Senscore]

They also won Woodcrofts last game.

I think subconsciously they knew the paperwork was already being processed.

 

[Loach]

So the pool of coaches available at this point of the season is pretty shallow…. Everyone knows the pool gets deeper as teams get eliminated from the playoffs and into the offseason.

So who is available right now, that would be a measurable upgrade on DJS, and who also accept the job knowing that they could be dismissed at anytime after new GM is in place? The pool gets shallower.

DJS is in his year of his current contract (team was an option for another season aI think)… so he is pretty much the interim coach now, and is keeping him until he can be properly replaced by a new GM, any better or worse than kicking him to the curb, bringing in someone who most likely is going to be replaced (at anytime) plus the disruption in the locker room?

I suggest, that unless the bottom of the team falls out, in the long run, replacing DJS, with a stop gap, is not worth it.

You mean the bottom hasn't fallen out yet? Lol

 

[JD1]

If they want to try to salvage the season, that's a potential rationale for hiring an interim coach. Could make a difference in attendance & revenue.

Just because you or I don't know who's available, doesn't mean there is no one available. That's Staois job.

Like I said, I made the post to identify that this is an option - that's all. I haven't any more to say on this subject. In some people's minds, Dorion wasn't going to be replaced until this summer. Odd coincidence that many of the same people that thought that are saying there's no alternatives until the new GM is hired. I don't really care one way or another.

Salvage the season? We're 6-7 with a positive goal differential and only two teams in the east going gang busters.

I think we are a bit away from talking about salvaging the season

 

[KingAlfie11]

I think he's saying that it will take time. There are problems to fix. The players will have to forget the bad and learn new things to add to their good hockey base. In Boston Julien set a foundation, Cassidy and now Monty have added to it. That's part of why they keep rolling along every year. The coaching situation mirrors the management side in Ottawa. Andlauer and Staios are doing a lot of work to unfck a decade of neglect in the offices. The same thing is probably going to be true on the ice for a new coaching staff to fix. A new coach is needed, but it will take time to see results.

Well said!! Thank you

I just want to temper expectations whenever a coaching change is made, I'm not saying don't fire DJ but don't expect the Sens to become this juggernaut overnight it will take time and also maybe the next coach won't be the right fit for this team, just like Vancouver and Edmonton how many coaches have they gone through in the last 8 seasons? Some fans have this fantasy that the second we have a new coach that all of our defensive deficiencies will just disappear and it's not how it works in the real world.

 

[HF Reader]

So the pool of coaches available at this point of the season is pretty shallow…. Everyone knows the pool gets deeper as teams get eliminated from the playoffs and into the offseason.

So who is available right now, that would be a measurable upgrade on DJS, and who also accept the job knowing that they could be dismissed at anytime after new GM is in place? The pool gets shallower.

DJS is in his year of his current contract (team was an option for another season aI think)… so he is pretty much the interim coach now, and is keeping him until he can be properly replaced by a new GM, any better or worse than kicking him to the curb, bringing in someone who most likely is going to be replaced (at anytime) plus the disruption in the locker room?

I suggest, that unless the bottom of the team falls out, in the long run, replacing DJS, with a stop gap, is not worth it.

I don't know the answer to your questions (likely few would accept an interim position) but I would ask Jacques Martin.

 

[Loach]

Well said!! Thank you

I just want to temper expectations whenever a coaching change is made, I'm not saying don't fire DJ but don't expect the Sens to become this juggernaut overnight it will take time and also maybe the next coach won't be the right fit for this team, just like Vancouver and Edmonton how many coaches have they gone through in the last 8 seasons? Some fans have this fantasy that the second we have a new coach that all of our defensive deficiencies will just disappear and it's not how it works in the real world.

It's not a fantasy, it's hope. Let keep it alive. Lol

 

[TheNewEra]

If we arent hiring a coach for the purposes of a new gm making a decision then can we hire a new defense coach

At least try and aim to improve

 

[Big Muddy]

Salvage the season? We're 6-7 with a positive goal differential and only two teams in the east going gang busters.

I think we are a bit away from talking about salvaging the season

Yes, it's still early in the season. What I am referring to is that we have to leap frog 7 teams to get into the last wild card spot. Things can change given the low amount of games played, and I hope that happens. Having said that, based on history, we have seen how hard this is to actually do.

 

[Mr Hat]

Yes, it's still early in the season. What I am referring to is that we have to leap frog 7 teams to get into the last wild card spot. Things can change given the low amount of games played, and I hope that happens. Having said that, based on history, we have seen how hard this is to actually do.

Division is so strong it's unrealistic to get in other than a wild card spot. 6-7 record doesn't sound like a mountain to climb until you look at who we need to beat to get in. All good teams, most have better coaching and call up depth.

 

[JD1]

Division is so strong it's unrealistic to get in other than a wild card spot. 6-7 record doesn't sound like a mountain to climb until you look at who we need to beat to get in. All good teams, most have better coaching and call up depth.

6-7 record. We've played less games than most. Win both in Sweden, we're 2 points behind the pace of 3rd and 4th in the division. Does that seem insurmountable?

 

[Loach]

6-7 record. We've played less games than most. Win both in Sweden, we're 2 points behind the pace of 3rd and 4th in the division. Does that seem insurmountable?

Have you watched the team play hockey? Lol. Jk.

 

[GCK]

Division is so strong it's unrealistic to get in other than a wild card spot. 6-7 record doesn't sound like a mountain to climb until you look at who we need to beat to get in. All good teams, most have better coaching and call up depth.

Who are the fire wagons in our division ? Boston is running away but that’s it

 

[stempniaksen]

Who are the fire wagons in our division ? Boston is running away but that’s it

We all probably underrated the Panthers (I know I did).

They haven't had the worlds toughest schedule and could easily fall back down to earth, but I think that's a team that will end up top-three in the division now. Whether the Sens can get there too is TBD, but as of now I'd have 2 of those 3 spots "locked".

 

[GCK]

We all probably underrated the Panthers (I know I did).

They haven't had the worlds toughest schedule and could easily fall back down to earth, but I think that's a team that will end up top-three in the division now. Whether the Sens can get there too is TBD, but as of now I'd have 2 of those 3 spots "locked".

That still leaves a top 3 spot.

 

[stempniaksen]

That still leaves a top 3 spot.

In this hypothetical scenario that leaves one spot for 6 teams, 5 of which are currently ahead of the Senators.

I don’t particularly love those odds either.

 

[Golden_Jet]

In this hypothetical scenario that leaves one spot for 6 teams, 5 of which are currently ahead of the Senators.

I don’t particularly love those odds either.

Leaves 3 spots, third place in east, and 2 potential wild card spots, unless you believe both wild card spots go the metro.

 

[Sens of Anarchy]

What Kris Knoblauch can, and can't, do to turn around the Oilers' season

Fix the goalies? Fix the defensive system? Fix the power play? When Kris Knoblauch took over the Oilers at 3-9-1 there was a lot going wrong. But what can a new coach really change in-season? Justin Bourne explores.

www.sportsnet.ca

 

[BonHoonLayneCornell]

What Kris Knoblauch can, and can't, do to turn around the Oilers' season

Fix the goalies? Fix the defensive system? Fix the power play? When Kris Knoblauch took over the Oilers at 3-9-1 there was a lot going wrong. But what can a new coach really change in-season? Justin Bourne explores.

www.sportsnet.ca

There must be some deep dives out there on the effects of a coaching change. I've always seen it as a reasonable hail mary since you have little to lose, but there is often a lot of opposition to the idea.

 

[Tnuoc Alucard]

In this hypothetical scenario that leaves one spot for 6 teams, 5 of which are currently ahead of the Senators.

I don’t particularly love those odds either.

Odds are better than I thought…. Let’s check again in two weeks.

 

[Big Muddy]

We all probably underrated the Panthers (I know I did).

They haven't had the worlds toughest schedule and could easily fall back down to earth, but I think that's a team that will end up top-three in the division now. Whether the Sens can get there too is TBD, but as of now I'd have 2 of those 3 spots "locked".

Toronto probably won't get much love either. Defense and goaltending aren't great though, but they can outscore opponents. I'm assuming that some are looking past Tampa and Detroit as well.

Outside of the top three teams that will nail down the Metro divisional seeds, I think there will likely be a couple of other Metro teams that will make it crowded and more difficult to grab a wild card seed.

 

[Sens of Anarchy]

Martin: I think he (Daniel Alfreddsson) brings a lot of assets to the organization

Senior Advisor for the Kingston Frontenacs Jacques Martin joins Graham and Matt to talk about the coaching change in Edmonton, Daniel Alfredsson's new role with the Senators, and his thoughts on the current Sens start to the season.

www.tsn.ca

Jacques talks about a coaching change mid season

 

[Samboni]

Odds are that DJ is next up to be shown the door.
NHL head coaching carousel: Odds suggest Senators next to make a change

 

[Gil Gunderson]

Odds are that DJ is next up to be shown the door.
NHL head coaching carousel: Odds suggest Senators next to make a change

I think Islanders and Sabres are way likelier to fire their coach than the Sens. I think they're going to do everything they can to keep DJ, unless our record gets too out of control.

 

[Norris4Norris]

I think Islanders and Sabres are way likelier to fire their coach than the Sens. I think they're going to do everything they can to keep DJ, unless our record gets too out of control.

I think the idea is that Andlauer will hire a new GM first and then allow the GM to help pick the coach.

 

[swiftwin]

I think the idea is that Andlauer will hire a new GM first and then allow the GM to help pick the coach.

Exactly this. We shouldn't jeopardize next season.

Just look at what happened in Vancouver. Benning got fired half way through the 21-22 season along with Travis Green. Rutherford comes in as the POHO and acting GM and hires Boudreau. Then a few months later he hires Allvin to be their GM. Boudreau goes on a tear to finish the season, so they have to keep him on board despite Allvin wanting Tocchet. This causes the turmoil to bleed into their 22-23 season, when Allvin finally fires Boudreau in the least graceful way possible, wasting another season.

Unless the new GM is hired before the end of the season, the only way DJ gets fired this season is if he loses the room and Capuano is made the interim for the rest of the season.

Get a new GM, and start next season with a fresh slate with a completely new coaching staff, hired by the new GM. No shortcuts.