I watch mainly the visiting team feed. To learn about the other teams better and to hear outside perspectives of the senators.


A common theme i have heard from them in about 80% of the games. Stutzle has been compared to soccer players, falls down way too easy.
Just saying thats the perception out there across the league .
- spazzbot

LA is a puck possession team and positionally sound so foot speed is not important. We don't need LA guys to tell us Stutzle falls down easily. He's not a C, he should be on the W flying the D zone taking stretch passes and creating odd man rushes.

consolation prize of last night's injury riddled game was the play of Korpisalo. He looks good.

Talbot suddenly making saves for the Kings. Nice. There were back and forth stretches of that game last night that was FAST hockey. We just came up short. I like Klevin.
- Octavarium

Kind of funny, the Sens get the goaltending they wanted and the rest of the team doesn't show up.

He's been much better recently and being the goalie the Sens wanted him to be. Just need him to stay healthy.,

I felt the effort last night was very uninspired. Not a lot of push. I feel the team is just waiting for the DJ Smith domino to fall. Injuries suck but they happen. You have to make due one way or another. You are never going to be fully healthy for 82 games.

Stu needs to clean up his play. While drawing some penalties is nice, it looks like he gives ups on plays just hoping for a penalty. Super stars don’t do that.

Batherson seems to have lost a step ever since his knee injury. He has good stretches and then seems to disappear.

Brady, Giroux, and Sanderson seem to stir the drink. Chychrun is there as well.

Really hope the GM situation is addressed quickly or else we might have another wasted season.

Batherson had an absolutely brutal give away that directly led to the second goal that really illustrated why he continues to be a minus player. Tried to do too much, got too fancy, and when he lost control of the puck, had no awareness of where the opponents or his own teammates were on the ice. Slow to back check, LA swoops in on an odd man rush and buries it. Just a brutal play. As another comment noted - Stutzle stays down too long looking for draws. I don't care if you're a flopper - flop all you want, but get the F back up and keep playing. Injuries aren't doing this team any favours, but poor habits creeping in need to be coached away. If we let our goalies down when they show up, this team is in for a bumpy ride.

OTT needs to go on a 5+ game winning streak, playing .500 is n ot good enough and should lead to Dj getting firing

awfully weak goal by korpisalo....

Drake Batherson had 1 goal and 4 points in 9 games, he should have at least 5-6 goals and 12 points the way he plays. Coach will be gone soon - they need a coach that can get the best out of Norris Batherson chabot (when he comes back) and Chychrun

OTT needs to go on a 5+ game winning streak, playing .500 is n ot good enough and should lead to Dj getting firing
- Mithos

They should fire him as soon as they get another coach.

I’m good with Gerard Gallant
If Sens let a late goal here in 2nd I’ll be angry dj didn’t take a timeout after hamonic block

WTF !!!!!!!!!! That play should’ve been blown dead

This (frank)ing team

These goalies... Shaky. Can't buy a save. They both need to figure things out yesterday.

So...do u have to hire a gm first and let him fire DJ and hire the new guy? Asking for a friend...

So...do u have to hire a gm first and let him fire DJ and hire the new guy? Asking for a friend...
- GrimmdaGoalie

No. Staios is interim GM. He can do everything a regular GM can do provided he has the owner's blessing. DJ can be fired whenever they so choose.

Part of the problem has been the schedule. Too many days off between games regularly. Its hard to build momentum and keep a machine finely tuned ...now stupid sweden.
But that is up to the coaching staff to be able to do that, keep them up and running.

The players ... lots of flybys,not much engagement. Brady was a stand up stand out.......until the post game interview. Calling the fans bs for the fire dj chants. Thats not the fight to pick...ever....anywhere. take your frustrations out on the player millionaires that are not getting the job done. They deserve to be called bs. Not very stewardly of the C.

Imo, i would take all their xboxes,playstations away from them until the players start doing their job right.

Here we go again. Off to another slow and debilitating start where by the end of November we are no longer in the playoff race. But miraculously, once the games are meaningless we will somehow put little mini-streaks together to look competitive. This team plays well when there is no pressure on them. Again, it is the same issues:
1) Goaltending letting in leaky goals at inopportune times.
2) Lack of team defence. Forwards have a responsibility to help out and to stop cheating on the offensive side.
3) A seemingly lack of ability to adapt in game.
4) And the big one, another slow start. And slow starts to games where we are down after several periods yet make it a game in the 3rd. But again, we play better when there is no pressure. At 4-1, no one expects the Sens to win with 1 period left.
Same old, same old.
People can look to blame the injuries we have. But let’s face facts, on defence I could give this excuse some credibility with Chabot and Zub both out (although Chabot’s game is running hot and cold this year). But Brannstrom … at best a 5th or 6th d-man who isn’t really built to play defence. So his being out is not really an issue IMO. Hamonic will block shocks and add some toughness but he is slow and never should have been signed for 2 more years (1 more after this season ….. but at least his contract numbers are manageable). Forwards Pinto, Greig, and Kastelik are out with injury. At best these are 3rd and 4rth liners at this point but missing them affects our depth (although Kastelik is not having a good year and would be demoted to Belleville if he didn’t have to clear waivers).
But quite frankly, our best players are not giving us a fair balanced attack/defence. The top 2 lines seem to be getting their points (still a + on goal differential). Either this team can’t or won’t play sound defensive hockey. They can do it in small stretches but consistency evades them. The goaltending is also very leaky. We need someone to seize the reins here. Make a save when it counts. Maybe its time to bring up Sogaard (0.934 in Belleville) and give him a run. Who cares if that means one of the other 2 ride the pines for that stretch. Maybe a threat to some job security is a good thing.

Finally, we are starting to here potential GM names leak out.
1) John Ferguson … really?!!!!! Can we NOT bring in some old failed Toronto GM and dinosaur in the league. Maybe as an assistant GM, but as GM.
2) Peter Chiarelli …. Had a decent stint with Boston at the beginning then blew it, and sucked in Edmonton. Again … maybe as an assistant GM
3) Spezza …. Really!!! Absolutely no experience. Maybe in 3-4 years
The reality is that we need to get a GM sooner rather then later. Staios needs to get back to fleshing this team’s front office out and not doing the GM job. There are some good young talent out there that are ready to make the jump to GM ….. Mathieu Darche. I just think we need a GM who is not some old recycled guy but someone who is more in touch with being equipped to deal with today’s athlete and today’s game.
As for coaches, this team’s coaches has passed their “best before date”. Time to bring in some new blood …. For example, time to bring in a coach who will bench Stutzle the next time he takes a dive and waits to see if the refs will make the call. Enough is enough. The answer to getting out of our slump can’t simply be to give Chychrun and Sanderson 28 minutes of ice time per game, each. Nor can it be to run the top 4 to 6 forwards out there for 20+ minutes a game. DJ Smith et al seemingly have no concept on how to get more creative and alter their game plan to suit the team they have.

Brady whining about fans booing... I know DJ is your buddy, but I think that's the problem.

Brady whining about fans booing... I know DJ is your buddy, but I think that's the problem.
- PogBoi

Exactly.

DJ may be a great guy and I don't like how fans are putting it ALL on him (because it's not) but the fact remains, he isn't the coach to be here. I knew it 4 years ago TBH and I'm fed up and frustrated with this stuff. This is competition, this is the hunger games, only ONE mafackkkking team wins the cup each year. 31 cities won't. That means now Ottawa has about a 3.2% of winning the cup each year - and with coaching like this, it's much worse.

Brady Tkachuk standing up against a segment of the fan base and the commentariat is significant. It is being picked up and reported in other NHL cities.

It takes an incredibly strong leader to do what he is doing. He is making it about himself. He is saying you are either with me/us or you are against me/us.

He might be entirely wrong and the whole things will blow up in his face. But, make no mistake, Tkachuk has put at risk his relationship with the city and the team over this issue. It will be curios to see how it unfolds during the next few weeks.

It can get a lot worse. Quickly.

I love Brady.

He kinda has to do something. Mostly the fans were boo'ing the refs. The fire DJ was consistent throughout the night. And usually followed another lack luster shift by some new line or group vomitted out on the ice.

People who know hockey see ZERO structure in this team's game. That is our issue with DJ...this year....last year.......the year before that. He's a junior A coach. You can get away with that crap in junior. There is so much parity in this league, from minute to minute John Cooper is making in game adjustments and bozo is over their chomping his gum and throwing his fourth line out after a goal...any goal....by any team....last change or not. LIKE MAN!!! What are you doing!?!?!. But, here's the kicker on a GM or a coach. Who's it gonna be? Who is even available? You're gonna just make changes to make changes? You can't seriously put Cappuano in charge. He needs to go too.

The anthem lady was AMAZING. Bring her back. The inhouse entertainment was atrocious. DJ Prosper should seek life elsewhere. Another career. Who knows. The only thing good about in-house noise is the organ player who's an absolute wizard.

Brady Tkachuk standing up against a segment of the fan base and the commentariat is significant. It is being picked up and reported in other NHL cities.

It takes an incredibly strong leader to do what he is doing. He is making it about himself. He is saying you are either with me/us or you are against me/us.

He might be entirely wrong and the whole things will blow up in his face. But, make no mistake, Tkachuk has put at risk his relationship with the city and the team over this issue. It will be curios to see how it unfolds during the next few weeks.

It can get a lot worse. Quickly.
- spatso

Agreed on all points.

DJ Smith’s record in his first 10 games the last 4 seasons:

2019/2020 – 2-7-1
2020/2021 – 1-8-1
2021/2022 – 3-6-1
2022/2023 – 4-6-0

These slow starts are notorious and show virtually no improvement. Fans are tired of knowing the playoffs are a long shot as soon as the calendar turns to November. It’s well known that if you are not in a playoff spot by American Thanksgiving, the odds are severely against you of making it.

Brady’s comments were interesting. I didn’t expect him to put it back on the fans as much as he did. It will be interesting to see how it plays out. The group could have shown some accountability but chose a different route. It takes guts.

This season was supposed to be different. A step in the right direction. However, it’s been the same old song and dance. If Brady and co are tired of the negativity from the outside, the team needs to start producing results to get positivity going. You can’t really spin on pace to miss the playoffs yet again as a positive.

Watching the presser, part of me felt that this showed that the losing culture has officially set in. Group seems complacent and blaming outside factors (puck luck, injuries, fan support, etc) instead of looking at themselves.

While booing likely won’t accomplish anything, it certainly shows that people are taking notice. A DJ Smith dismissal would likely rattle some cages. Remember, a lot of these players have only ever known DJ Smith as their NHL coach. They don’t necessarily know that better options might be out there.

DJ Smith’s record in his first 10 games the last 4 seasons:

2019/2020 – 2-7-1
2020/2021 – 1-8-1
2021/2022 – 3-6-1
2022/2023 – 4-6-0

These slow starts are notorious and show virtually no improvement. Fans are tired of knowing the playoffs are a long shot as soon as the calendar turns to November. It’s well known that if you are not in a playoff spot by American Thanksgiving, the odds are severely against you of making it.

Brady’s comments were interesting. I didn’t expect him to put it back on the fans as much as he did. It will be interesting to see how it plays out. The group could have shown some accountability but chose a different route. It takes guts.

This season was supposed to be different. A step in the right direction. However, it’s been the same old song and dance. If Brady and co are tired of the negativity from the outside, the team needs to start producing results to get positivity going. You can’t really spin on pace to miss the playoffs yet again as a positive.

Watching the presser, part of me felt that this showed that the losing culture has officially set in. Group seems complacent and blaming outside factors (puck luck, injuries, fan support, etc) instead of looking at themselves.

While booing likely won’t accomplish anything, it certainly shows that people are taking notice. A DJ Smith dismissal would likely rattle some cages. Remember, a lot of these players have only ever known DJ Smith as their NHL coach. They don’t necessarily know that better options might be out there.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

The Brady thing is partly cultural.

American fans cheer to incentivize their team. A cheer is an encouragement to do better. Get them going when they are down and struggling.

Canadian fans are more like European football fans, we cheer to reward good play or good effort.

It is not that big a deal when Canadian fans boo the home team when they fail to perform. It means you need to try harder.

But, when American kids hear boos it translates more into the message that we don't love you anymore.

Let's hope that they start winning and we can move beyond this awkward moment.

Brady Tkachuk standing up against a segment of the fan base and the commentariat is significant. It is being picked up and reported in other NHL cities.

It takes an incredibly strong leader to do what he is doing. He is making it about himself. He is saying you are either with me/us or you are against me/us.

He might be entirely wrong and the whole things will blow up in his face. But, make no mistake, Tkachuk has put at risk his relationship with the city and the team over this issue. It will be curios to see how it unfolds during the next few weeks.

It can get a lot worse. Quickly.
- spatso

I love brady too
And i realize that comments were made while frustated emotions were high.
He did say a few bounces go our way and we win.
Thats not the case.they have been thorougly out played in all aspects.
Commenting that the paying fans have basically have no right to boo. Doesnt fly , everyone is there because they love the sens. Many people work hard and save up to goto 1 or 2 games a year. And its looking like we have been sold another boat of bs, that this team is better this year. Fans are tired of losing and are not dumb. they see when the sens are thorougly out played consistently.

Imo ,and i dont hold it against him those comments. But they reak of entitlement, and of a young person that doesn't know better...ditto that for stutzle saying he doesnt understand why fans are booing and fire dj chants... astonishing really, i guess what they are saying is we just are bs players, and coaching accept it and like it.

The Brady thing is partly cultural.

American fans cheer to incentivize their team. A cheer is an encouragement to do better. Get them going when they are down and struggling.

Canadian fans are more like European football fans, we cheer to reward good play or good effort.

It is not that big a deal when Canadian fans boo the home team when they fail to perform. It means you need to try harder.

But, when American kids hear boos it translates more into the message that we don't love you anymore.

Let's hope that they start winning and we can move beyond this awkward moment.
- spatso

I’ve seen American sports fans boo as well, so I don’t know. However, fans of Canadian hockey teams will always be more passionate than their American counterparts. Part of the reason a good chunk of them will never play for Canadian teams. I get the argument to be in the team’s corner during tough times, but everyone has a breaking point. Every season start is Groundhog Day. If the team itself can’t see that, there is an issue.

I didn’t hate or love the comments by Brady. I mostly found them interesting in a ‘huh’ way. It was one of the few athlete interviews where you couldn’t predict the stereotypical answer. Sens fans sometimes get a bad rap as being timid, quiet, not showing up, etc. When they are noticed, the captain slams them a bit. It’s an interesting tactic.

I get the sense that DJ is a Ted Lasso style coach. Nice guy, out of his element, but people like him, and like to play for him. I get it's a TV show, but the thing about Ted Lasso is that despite his lack of knowledge and bumbling about, he started winning games because of his coaching style. The players might like the room, but it isn't showing out on the ice. This just isn't panning out in Ottawa for DJ - you can call injury or money issues or poor goaltending, but at some point if you're watching from above, you have to fix/try out anything you can to get things on track. Since we can't move players eventually something has to give.