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.
- Bartacus

I think this is a good analogy. In the end, it’s all about winning. DJ Smith hasn’t proven a winning formula at the NHL level. He’s almost done the exact opposite.

I’ve said it during his entire tenure, he’s a place holder coach. A lot of rebuilding teams in sports start with a guy at the beginning of the rebuild and ultimately need to get a new voice in there to take the next step once the players/team are at a place to do so. It would be a nice story to have the whole crew win it all who were there from day one, but it just doesn’t happen like that normally.

The Vegas Knights won the cup and much was made about winning it with a bunch of misfits from the expansion draft, where in actuality, the majority of the team and coaching staff was brought in after that time.

I don’t doubt Staios has recognized the need for a coaching change (even if he won’t say publicly) but he also recognizes the need to have the GM and coach on the exact same page. These are the tandems that at successful. The trouble is, as you have to do your due diligence in hiring, you are also losing time to salvage any chance of a successful season the longer it gets dragged out. These moves likely should of have been summer moves once ownership was finalized. However, that process was dragged out and here we are.

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

This. 100%. You have to look no further than Vancouver to see what a change in coach can do for a young team.

Patrick Roy have be seeing at a restaurant in Kanata today. Woohouuuu

Patrick Roy have be seeing at a restaurant in Kanata today. Woohouuuu
- Crosside

Please no.
He's not the answer.
He's another junior coach who barks.
He did not learn his lesson.

Andrew Brunette please.

Please no.
He's not the answer.
He's another junior coach who barks.
He did not learn his lesson.

Andrew Brunette please.
- Octavarium

16 season of coaching, just two bellow 500. This year was amazing what he do in playoff. Just 3 lost. Know how to deal with new generation player. He said himself he s not the same coach that coach in Colorado. I see Ottawa like the Rempart of Quebec, perfect fit, plus help for the marketing aspect. If we are out of playoff spot,people will come to the ctc to see Roy

thinks its kinda obvious this team needs a vet to lead them when going through some adversity. barking at the fans who pay your salaries is prob not the best move, especially for g who cant find the 2nd rd of the playoffs with a rd map.

3 years as an NHL coach.
more or less a .500 coach.
The season he was successful the team was gift wrapped for him when he arrived. He wins the Jack Adams because of who he was not for what he did.

He is a very VERY good junior coach.
We already have a Junior coach.

We need a guy who can get it done here.

If Roy had gone and been an assistant in the NHL for past 8 seasons MAYBE. But instead, he pouted, took his ball and went home. Back to what he knows he's good at. And that's fine. I don't want him here.

Saw a post talking future trades that raised the possibility of Brady Tkachuk being traded if he becomes unhappy with the fragile Ottawa fans.

This is a young team. We are talking youthful egos.

Fans and media need to be more careful in their choice of language.

I have no difficulty with folks being analytical and critical. I do have a problem when the criticism is made personal and disrespectful of the character of the player. NHL players in US markets are not subjected to this kind of fan abuse.

I believe it is a small minority of fans and amateur commentators. But when fans make it personal, we run the risk of it becoming ever more nasty.

The fact Giroux stepped up yesterday and spoke for the team in the face of increased criticism tells us this may already be a far bigger noise than some of us want to believe.

The fact Giroux stepped up yesterday and spoke for the team in the face of increased criticism tells us this may already be a far bigger noise than some of us want to believe.
- spatso

Giroux's comments do give pause, he said DJ isn't going anywhere. His input as a homegrown vet likely does give ownership pause before pushing any buttons.

Shouting/yelling 'fire DJ' is base and crass. In general, shouting/jeering at any sports event should be saved for the officials, not the players or bench. But I can see where it germinates - people pay good money, real good money, to see these games. If the team *really* likes DJ and want to keep him around, do him a favour and win him some games. Because whether the guys on the ice like it or not, he's the easy scapegoat. Losing a Battle of Ontario against the shaky Leafs, in particular, will not help his case.

Giroux's comments do give pause, he said DJ isn't going anywhere. His input as a homegrown vet likely does give ownership pause before pushing any buttons.

Shouting/yelling 'fire DJ' is base and crass. In general, shouting/jeering at any sports event should be saved for the officials, not the players. But I can see where it germinates - people pay good money, real good money, to see these games. If the team *really* likes DJ and want to keep him around, do him a favour and win him some games. Because whether the guys on the ice like it or not, he's the easy scapegoat. Losing a Battle of Ontario against the shaky Leafs, in particular, will not help his case.
- Bartacus

frankly if the players will go to such lenghts for DJ, trade em all and rebuild, they will most likely not perform under a new coach and are "ruined" and will crash on other teams, trade em while they have value and rebuild with players that wont suck off their coach like this group seems to do

Unless you want a retread coach .... Boudreau, Gallant, etc. .... then you are going to get a coach out of the AHL, Juniors or College. I would prefer a younger coach who can also grow with this team. I don't want the old well travelled coaches. New ideas, new ways is what Ottawa needs.
Is Roy the right guy? Who knows, but I hope they at least chat with him to explore all the possibilities.

But quite frankly, I think they hire a GM first so he can be in on the coaching choice.

I don't have any issues with players backing DJ Smith. I just thank god that fans don't run the team otherwise we'd be out of business by know. If the players want DJ to stay then it is simple ...........
1) Play the team defence style we caught a glimpse of in preseaon.
2) Quick cheating offensively and play a 5 man defence style of hockey. Far too many players are looking to pad their stats.
3) Support the goaltending. 40 shot against nights will not win games.
4) The coaching staff has to distribute ice time better. Giving 28 minutes to Chychrun and Sanderson is just a recipe for injuries to them as they wear down.

Buck the F up Sens fans.

Stop booing your team and coach and get on board.

I'm tired of all the talk about what Brady said. Team Captain sticking up for the team, which includes his coach, doing Captain things amd saying Captain things and moving on.

The game tonight:
- speed kills in the new NHL. Joseph has it and it is a spark for his line and this team
-Javarite looks good. Hope he stays up
- Kubalik looks better. I can see it now
- Chychrun might be more valuable to this team than Chabot right now
- they are gonna burn Sanderson out

I'm tired of all the talk about what Brady said. Team Captain sticking up for the team, which includes his coach, doing Captain things amd saying Captain things and moving on.

The game tonight:
- speed kills in the new NHL. Joseph has it and it is a spark for his line and this team
-Javarite looks good. Hope he stays up
- Kubalik looks better. I can see it now
- Chychrun might be more valuable to this team than Chabot right now
- they are gonna burn Sanderson out
- GrimmdaGoalie

the problem with a chabot trade is what team has the space and assets to get him, not many, but ya chabot is now 3rd best LD in OTT

the problem with a chabot trade is what team has the space and assets to get him, not many, but ya chabot is now 3rd best LD in OTT
- Mithos

Chabot is 3rd best. That's great news, because you can never have enough d-men ....... so say the Ottawa Senators.

Giroux! Was all him this game !!!

I'm tired of all the talk about what Brady said. Team Captain sticking up for the team, which includes his coach, doing Captain things amd saying Captain things and moving on.

The game tonight:
- speed kills in the new NHL. Joseph has it and it is a spark for his line and this team
-Javarite looks good. Hope he stays up
- Kubalik looks better. I can see it now
- Chychrun might be more valuable to this team than Chabot right now
- they are gonna burn Sanderson out
- GrimmdaGoalie

Sanderson is 21. Sens are down 3 DMen. He needs to play those big minutes. Chychrun played 31:06.

Great response game against division rival. Love to see it. Let's hope this continues in the next games before heading to Sweden!

Great response game against division rival. Love to see it. Let's hope this continues in the next games before heading to Sweden!
- PogBoi

It was a good game.

I don't like the emerging story line where the players appear to be taking the side of the coach against some of the fans and the self appointed commentariat.

Creating that kind of critical bubble can be very uncomfortable. Players drift towards committing to playing for each other and agree to shut off all the outside noise. I don't want to see that happen with the Sens. I want them to play for us and I want them to know I am pulling for them on every shift.

Apparently, Andlauer showed up in the dressing room and gave DJ a big hug at the end of the game. I like that.

It is easy to be a critic. Harder to stand tough when the wind is blowing against us. I know there are lots of other folks out there who want to stand with the players against the boo birds. Hang tough. This is a very good young team. We have hit hard time within our defensive core. Stay strong, this too shall pass.

good win vs a struggling leafs team, but the guy at the pre-game said it best when he said he has no idea what defensive system the sens use if any at all and this is why the sens will never take the next step with this coaching staff.

this win means nothing in the who fans want smith gone, remember leafs win vs Tampa and they lost again, leafs have lost 5 of their last 6 just like the sens had.

sens will be a bottom 10 team this again, and waste another year on the players team friendly contracts. no playoffs this year again.

Gravy's hot take: Sens are my sleeper pick to win the cup. Team looks good, lots of good pieces.

It was a good game.

I don't like the emerging story line where the players appear to be taking the side of the coach against some of the fans and the self appointed commentariat.

Creating that kind of critical bubble can be very uncomfortable. Players drift towards committing to playing for each other and agree to shut off all the outside noise. I don't want to see that happen with the Sens. I want them to play for us and I want them to know I am pulling for them on every shift.

Apparently, Andlauer showed up in the dressing room and gave DJ a big hug at the end of the game. I like that.

It is easy to be a critic. Harder to stand tough when the wind is blowing against us. I know there are lots of other folks out there who want to stand with the players against the boo birds. Hang tough. This is a very good young team. We have hit hard time within our defensive core. Stay strong, this too shall pass.
- spatso

Spatso, if players commit to playing for each other and shutting out outside noise. That tends to lead to better and more cohesive team play. Which can lead to more wins. Which in effect, benefits the fans.

Good game last night as the Sens took advantage of a rather lacklustre Toronto team defence.
Everybody just needs to get over the booing issue and the Sens player responses to the booing. It truly is a non-issue. It happens everywhere ..... take a bow New Jersey. The main issue with defence is that the Sens players can't seem to stick to an overall defensive style. Because of cap issues, and now injuries, it is very difficult to sit someone to make a point. But at some point it is up to the players to decide how they will actually play on the ice. No more offensively cheating, they need to commit to defensive play. DJ Smith et al cannot do it for them. So we are 11 games in .... I figure we probably lose to Vancouver tonight, but if we can beat Calgary on the weekend then we are in decent shape heading over to Sweden. It will continue to be a struggle. But we will soon get Zub back, then Greig, then Chabot, Brannstrom and then Pinto. Kastelik also at some point. Each of these guys will improve the roster, like making a trade.

good win vs a struggling leafs team, but the guy at the pre-game said it best when he said he has no idea what defensive system the sens use if any at all and this is why the sens will never take the next step with this coaching staff.

this win means nothing in the who fans want smith gone, remember leafs win vs Tampa and they lost again, leafs have lost 5 of their last 6 just like the sens had.

sens will be a bottom 10 team this again, and waste another year on the players team friendly contracts. no playoffs this year again.
- Mithos

Defensive zone exits were still problematic last night especially. Often times they are slow or sloppy in what could be easy exits, leading to turn overers.


Korpisalo made some big saves to keep them in it which is nice. You can hope tram d improves as players come back from Injury, but this looks structural more than anything.

There is talent on this team, which is why I think they'll be too good for a bottom 10 finish, but playoffs are highly unlikely.