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

[ColinM]

Tonight’s Dallas game should be an important one in the decision but I’m guessing it doesn’t matter.

They had every chance to make up their mind 4 weeks ago. At this point it's just academic.

 

[Sens of Anarchy]

“Would you say you were on your heels or your toes?”

- dj or Joseph redirects to an answer with more substance

“”So, heels or toes? Head, shoulders, heels or toes? Heels or toes?”

Ugh.

Maybe the problem isn’t coaching, it’s Dean’s asinine questions rattling around in their heads.

"A" post. Exhibit 1 your honor

 

[Sens of Anarchy]

Has he really been great for development? Every single one of our core players is, at best, plateauing in their individual play. No one seems to be improving. Most are regressing.

He was good at getting the players to like each other and likely him, but that is not the mandate of an NHL coach. He was bad as an assistant coach in Toronto and he's been flat out bad here. It was a bad hire and the time for management to admit that was more than a year ago.

Hopefully the next hire is done properly and we can get someone in place who can develop a winning team.

He probably was ok just he reached his limits some time ago, and I would argue that hanging on to him past the best before date has been to their detriment. Best before summer leading into 22-23 at the latest

I think he was ok with a fledgling team that had no hope of success but needed to get their young players to the next level entering the NHL.

2 other things.
1. Dorion never gave him a roster that could have assisted him in passing on valuable experience to the young players.
2. Dorion never gave him the quality veteran support to succeed

On the 2nd thing there is no evidence he could have coached that team to success.

 

[dumbdick]

I'm tired of these growing pains excuses that this is a "young group".

These were the excuses made for Chabot for a long time, but then our coaching and system ingrained a bunch of bad habits. Now that's just his game.

Change the coach and force accountability and better systems play. The blues showed us what good defence looks like last night.

Do that. Otherwise we're going to spoil all this talent.

The longer we wait the harder it's going to be to fix.

 

[Silencio]

Guys maybe the real Stanley Cup is all the friends DJ made along the way

 

[Ice-Tray]

In what way?

If that was true the young players would not be making some of these egregious mistakes that are costing us games.

I don’t really agree with this but that’s fine.

In the way that almost all of our top young picks developed into good to great players. I like how he insulated and protected them, taught them to work hard, and made the chemistry and the mental health of the young team a priority. I also like how he slowly increased their ice time and responsibility as they showed increased confidence.

I also think that like most mentorship situations, eventually the student out grows what the teacher has to give them and needs to move on to someone with more to offer.

That’s where I think this team is sitting at the moment.

I understand that other folks have a different and more blistering view of what DJ has done with this group.

Has he really been great for development? Every single one of our core players is, at best, plateauing in their individual play. No one seems to be improving. Most are regressing.

He was good at getting the players to like each other and likely him, but that is not the mandate of an NHL coach. He was bad as an assistant coach in Toronto and he's been flat out bad here. It was a bad hire and the time for management to admit that was more than a year ago.

Hopefully the next hire is done properly and we can get someone in place who can develop a winning team.

Yes I think he has, but the time has come for a different phase. It could be argued that the time came last season, or earlier this season, but I don’t think that has to mean that everything DJ has done while here has been a waste.

I agree that future hires need to be done properly, and all indications point to this as the way we are headed across the board.

 

[Ice-Tray]

I'm tired of these growing pains excuses that this is a "young group".

These were the excuses made for Chabot for a long time, but then our coaching and system ingrained a bunch of bad habits. Now that's just his game.

Change the coach and force accountability and better systems play. The blues showed us what good defence looks like last night.

Do that. Otherwise we're going to spoil all this talent.

The longer we wait the harder it's going to be to fix.

I don’t disagree in general, but I do think that people have been asking a lot from a 23 year old and a 21 year old.

Expecting young twenty somethings who play with emotion to exhibit a level of maturity that we don’t even see in here across the board is a bit much.

Yes Brady losses his cool when he is pissed, but he is 23 years old. He will harness it with time and experience. Stu whines and complains often, but he’s 21. He will also manage this behaviour as he gains experience. (Hell, Crosby used to bitch and whine all the time as well).

Most of our best players are young 20 somethings, from this era, I think some folks seem to forget this.

This is separate from their on ice play, which I think will settle with different coaching. The emotional stuff will work itself out with mentorship and experience.

 

[Ice-Tray]

You seem to struggle with basic stuff usually so just wanted to make sure you were ok with completely changing your opinion 360 from just couple of weeks ago and yeah, probably missed, judging by the likes my posts receive compared to ,let's say, yours as an example

I totally forgot about you in your ‘absence’, I’ll have to get used to this online resentment again.

To your post such as it was, I remember saying it was time for a change several times over the last several weeks, suggesting that an interim guy would be fine while they search for a GM. Not sure I ever argued the point that DJ was still a good fit over the last several weeks.

As for changing opinions on things, yes I do understand that you’d struggle with the concept, it’s not for everyone. I had high hopes for the team this season like most people, but clearly it isn’t working despite all of the changes within the organization. First person to go is the coach, as I believe the team on the ice has the skill and character to be much better. I’m not sure if the owner and POHO are as concerned with the timeline in terms of change as we are though, so I am also expecting a continued bumpy ride.

Anyways, I’m glad that you find value in the number of likes and smiles you get in here, it’s a good way to consider your posts valuable when it doesn’t come from inside.

 

[Masked]

This team under DJ has demonstrated to be abysmal when there's any sort of pressure or expectations on them. As soon as there is nothing to play for or no expectations, they look like a top team. Is this team one of the most mentally fragile in league history?

 

[Flamingo]

"A" post. Exhibit 1 your honor

Thanks, Chibs!

 

[Alex1234]

I totally forgot about you in your ‘absence’, I’ll have to get used to this online resentment again.

To your post such as it was, I remember saying it was time for a change several times over the last several weeks, suggesting that an interim guy would be fine while they search for a GM. Not sure I ever argued the point that DJ was still a good fit over the last several weeks.

As for changing opinions on things, yes I do understand that you’d struggle with the concept, it’s not for everyone. I had high hopes for the team this season like most people, but clearly it isn’t working despite all of the changes within the organization. First person to go is the coach, as I believe the team on the ice has the skill and character to be much better. I’m not sure if the owner and POHO are as concerned with the timeline in terms of change as we are though, so I am also expecting a continued bumpy ride.

Anyways, I’m glad that you find value in the number of likes and smiles you get in here, it’s a good way to consider your posts valuable when it doesn’t come from inside.

Nice spin
Your figure skating is on point
Stop crying over the likes
Im sure one or two Leafs fans like you and vice-versa

 

[Wondercarrot]

I'm tired of these growing pains excuses that this is a "young group".

These were the excuses made for Chabot for a long time, but then our coaching and system ingrained a bunch of bad habits. Now that's just his game.

Change the coach and force accountability and better systems play. The blues showed us what good defence looks like last night.

Do that. Otherwise we're going to spoil all this talent.

The longer we wait the harder it's going to be to fix.

The amazing part of “growing pains” or “not a talented enough core” over the early years of building the roster is that the ONE THING he (DJ) could control is having a group of players that knew exactly what they should be doing defensively and where to be at all times.
There is just no excuse for what’s happening in the ice.

You don’t wait until the talent is there and start talking about accountability and discipline.
As far as I’m concerned it’s almost been 5 wasted years.
He taught them to work hard for a few years but even that isn’t really very evident anymore.

 

[scout20]

how about trying:

Tarasenko Stützle Batherson
Tkachuk Greig Joseph
Kubalik Norris Giroux

 

[Bileur]

how about trying:

Tarasenko Stützle Batherson
Tkachuk Greig Joseph
Kubalik Norris Giroux

I don’t think it’s beneficial to overload our jam/hard workers on a single line and have two other softer lines.

They need more size and sandpaper. A guy Crouse or Marchment would make a huge difference.

 

[TonySoprano11]

And give his paycheque for the rest of his contract?

If he’s fired, he still gets paid for the remainder of the season.

Yes, hence the self respect part. He knows he's bad at his job, he knows he's failed these kids, he knows an entire fanbase is on the verge of losing another season because of this. Yet he sticks around for the paycheck.

If he had any self respect, he would resign.

 

[Ice-Tray]

Nice spin
Your figure skating is on point
Stop crying over the likes
Im sure one or two Leafs fans like you and vice-versa

No spin, just a bit beyond your usual tripe.

Get it all in before your next ban homeboy.

Yes, hence the self respect part. He knows he's bad at his job, he knows he's failed these kids, he knows an entire fanbase is on the verge of losing another season because of this. Yet he sticks around for the paycheck.

If he had any self respect, he would resign.

No sure anyone would walk from the pay cheque though, he does have a family and financial obligations.

 

[HoweHullOrr]

He was great for development, and now things appear to have stalled.

Being able to constantly consider new information, and adjust your opinions on things based on new information, is pretty basic stuff.

When a young team stalls in its development, you can’t fire the team, and you really don’t want to make large player moves until you try a new coach. That’s what I think.

Welcome back, I'm sure you were missed

LOL. Or alternatively, you were wrong before, backed the authority figure like you always do, and now need to find a way of reversing and rationalizing your opinion which was wrong all along.

 

[Back in Black]

1 1/2 Hours to gO

 

[Alex1234]

No spin, just a bit beyond your usual tripe.

Get it all in before your next ban homeboy.


No sure anyone would walk from the pay cheque though, he does have a family and financial obligations.

Wasn't banned biggybooboo

 

[mianjo]

come home from this road trip with zero points HE HAS TO GO

 

[GCK]

come home from this road trip with zero points HE HAS TO GO

You would think but ….. stability.

 

[Sens of Anarchy]

come home from this road trip with zero points HE HAS TO GO

how 'bout 1 point? or 2 points? or 3 points?

You would think but ….. stability.

they have to move off that concept

Wasn't banned biggybooboo

serious question. why even bother?

 

[Alex1234]

how 'bout 1 point? or 2 points? or 3 points?


they have to move off that concept


serious question. why even bother?

I know
My bad for getting drawn in
He's such a pu..y

 

[Ice-Tray]

LOL. Or alternatively, you were wrong before, backed the authority figure like you always do, and now need to find a way of reversing and rationalizing your opinion which was wrong all along.

Wrong about what? How I felt about the coach and team? You crack me up.

I liked DJ as the coach of this team for several years, and liked how he developed the kids.

Now I feel like the team isn’t taking the next step, after DJ getting a chance to coach a good team, and a change is needed.

Can’t fire the team, but you can fire the coach, and with this team the players need a new voice before they should be moved out.

My position has been consistent to how I feel the whole time.

I’m surprised that folks seem to struggle with idea that opinions can change over time, but then there are folks in here that are willing to die on every hill, and who feel that they are experts in every field, so I suppose it makes sense.

It’s the same circle jerk of dudes making posts like yours, and ‘liking’ posts like yours. Y’all need to be right, need to know best, and see everything through shit coloured lenses. Not my tribe so I have no shits to give.

Wasn't banned biggybooboo

Yeaaah you were, that or you did us all a favour….

 

[Alex1234]

Wrong about what? How I felt about the coach and team? You crack me up.

I liked DJ as the coach of this team for several years, and liked how he developed the kids.

Now I feel like the team isn’t taking the next step, after DJ getting a chance to coach a good team, and a change is needed.

Can’t fire the team, but you can fire the coach, and with this team the players need a new voice before they should be moved out.

My position has been consistent to how I feel the whole time.

I’m surprised that folks seem to struggle with idea that opinions can change over time, but then there are folks in here that are willing to die on every hill, and who feel that they are experts in every field, so I suppose it makes sense.

It’s the same circle jerk of dudes making posts like yours, and ‘liking’ posts like yours. Y’all need to be right, need to know best, and see everything through shit coloured lenses. Not my tribe so I have no shits to give.


Yeaaah you were, that or you did us all a favour….

Always late to the party hey
Everybody is in the know except you