I keep hearing talk about Alfie in some kind of management role and I gotta say - I was there at the Centre when they raised his number and watched the man speak at length - he has all the personality of a wet sponge. Dull, boring, stilted communicator, quiet. As much as he has given to this team and community, he's better off in an ownership or figurehead position - he's not the front facing inspiring personality IMO this team needs.

A new Owner everything else will fall in line later 🤙
- sens4life1971

Should have made it more of a Sophies Choice by saying you can get rid of one of them in 6 months but you have to keep the other 2 for at least a year.

Which decision then would have more long term effects?

My thinking is coaching has more of an effect on younger players. EM has kept his mouth mostly shut lately. Along with his wallet...

Not a fan of DJ, but this team just isn't that good. The prospects are there and they are going to be in the game in the next 2-3 years, but people (not helped by Dorion's stupid statement) really jumped the gun on a 15 game strong run when nothing was on the line. The Sens' strength is the youth defense pool of prospects who should be integrated in the next 2-3 years.

I too would prefer them to run the youth and let the chips fall as they may, but what forward prospect can actually make a difference? That's the major problem I see right now. They need a Wright/Lekkermaki/Savoie/Kemell and develop them.

Patience. Appears players like playing for DJ. There will not changes in coaching or GM until we see a change in ownership.

Patience. Appears players like playing for DJ. There will not changes in coaching or GM until we see a change in ownership.
- spatso

Agree, and I believe it has a lot to do with how much they get paid. You can fantasize about bringing in more experience (like a Boudreau, whose daughter lives in Ottawa), but that costs real money. I read an article about the Sens searching for a new coach in 2016. Guy Boucher is listed as 'the dark horse candidate' alongside a number of known, experienced names. In Melnyk parlance, 'dark horse' means 'the one who hasn't head coached in the league in awhile/ever, is grateful to get a shot anywhere, and will do the job for a pittance'. Ditto for DJ - if we get somebody new, dollars to donuts it'll be a name you've never heard before.

Patience. Appears players like playing for DJ. There will not changes in coaching or GM until we see a change in ownership.
- spatso

"Apparantly".....well I can tell you if they like playing for him, would they quit on him at home when Vancouver was in town?! No team quits on their coach unless they want him gone!

Lets take it a step further and see what young player likes playing for DJ.
Brannstrom.....not a chance!

JBD.....I've been told he doesn't....that he actually couldn't believe what happened to him last year after he turns pro, leaves N.Dakota....gets here and only because of a last minute injury does he make his debut.....and how many times he should've played down the stretch but DJ wanted to win when they were a bottom 5 team at the time. His development took a backseat to DJ wanting to win, when fans just wanted hope and to see the youth!

Formenton....he cant stand him.....anyone close to the team will tell you that.

Stutzle....I wish I could write what I've been told....Tim doesn't like playing for him....but like Alex these 2 young kids have been jerked around by DJ....double standard for these 2.....let them play through their mistakes....I have wrote about it before....Dorion and Boucher started at each other throats when Guy wanted Alex to play a full season and develop...he said his speed alone would allow him to adjust to the NHL level.....Dorion didn't even let Alex get the 9 game trial and then send him back to junior for goodness sakes. Dorion made the personnel move, Boucher was told to shut up and that is straight from Boucher himself!!

Dorion gives DJ an extension because Brady likes him.....is what was reported....so the GM is allowing one player control things. DJ is afraid to piss off Brady, Drake or Josh....that I've been told and for those of you who know me that read the blog, you know exactly where I got that from. So that isn't a sign that players like playing for him, they know they control him!
I could go on....and on.....

Agree, and I believe it has a lot to do with how much they get paid. You can fantasize about bringing in more experience (like a Boudreau, whose daughter lives in Ottawa), but that costs real money. I read an article about the Sens searching for a new coach in 2016. Guy Boucher is listed as 'the dark horse candidate' alongside a number of known, experienced names. In Melnyk parlance, 'dark horse' means 'the one who hasn't head coached in the league in awhile/ever, is grateful to get a shot anywhere, and will do the job for a pittance'. Ditto for DJ - if we get somebody new, dollars to donuts it'll be a name you've never heard before.
- Bartacus

You you nailed it, a coach desperate to get back into the NHL, will take the cheap deal to get back into the NHL ranks. That is why when "crosside" posted Hartley earlier in the comments, that is a guy who wants back into the NHL, he might take less! But you are so correct, Ottawa probably has the lowest paid HC and GM! They have a skeleton scouting staff both on the pro and amateur side compared to other teams but that has been well documented and talked about for years.

Rebuilding teams generally go through some growing pains with coaches. I am generalizing, but I feel think not a lot of coaches stick around for an entire rebuild from rock bottom to contender. A guy is brought in at the start, a team identity starts to form and a new coach that better fits is brought in. Honestly always thought and felt DJ was a stopgap coach. Cheap option. If it worked out long term, great, if not, no foul.

Ottawa can’t really pay top dollar for coaches but now with more exciting future than they did have 2 years ago when DJ was brought in, maybe they can entice a more established coach. The team keeps trying to bring in unestablished coaches hoping they become a legendary coach and it just isn’t happening.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

Exactly, "trying" to find a coach that has no experience and they never pan out!

Lets take a quick look back at former head coaches here in Ottawa under our wonderful Eugene and how many went on to have a head coaching gig in the NHL again.....
Guy Boucher - no
Dave Cameron - no
Paul Maclean - no
Cory Clouston - no
Craig Hartsburg - no
John Paddock - no

Enough said.....

Not a fan of DJ, but this team just isn't that good. The prospects are there and they are going to be in the game in the next 2-3 years, but people (not helped by Dorion's stupid statement) really jumped the gun on a 15 game strong run when nothing was on the line. The Sens' strength is the youth defense pool of prospects who should be integrated in the next 2-3 years.

I too would prefer them to run the youth and let the chips fall as they may, but what forward prospect can actually make a difference? That's the major problem I see right now. They need a Wright/Lekkermaki/Savoie/Kemell and develop them.
- AdamFrench

Fools good as Pierre McGuire repeated for weeks last year on TSN 1200 radio about how Ottawa ended the last 15 games of the season. They had nothing to play for, no pressure, you name it.....and McGuire was soooo correct!

They really need high end skill in this coming draft.....that should be the only thing they shoot for.....use picks to trade up and get as much high end talent as possible.

Should have made it more of a Sophies Choice by saying you can get rid of one of them in 6 months but you have to keep the other 2 for at least a year.

Which decision then would have more long term effects?

My thinking is coaching has more of an effect on younger players. EM has kept his mouth mostly shut lately. Along with his wallet...
- GrimmdaGoalie

I agree coaching has the biggest influence on this roster. As for your comment regarding Eugene, although he may not be on record talking to anyone, you can be sure he's as loud as always with management, he cant himself!

Fools good as Pierre McGuire repeated for weeks last year on TSN 1200 radio about how Ottawa ended the last 15 games of the season. They had nothing to play for, no pressure, you name it.....and McGuire was soooo correct!

They really need high end skill in this coming draft.....that should be the only thing they shoot for.....use picks to trade up and get as much high end talent as possible.
- Kevin Francis

that is what everyone said last season, including annalists and what does dorion do, draft a 4th line plug if not a career AHLer (if he is lucky) at 10th OA....

I agree coaching has the biggest influence on this roster. As for your comment regarding Eugene, although he may not be on record talking to anyone, you can be sure he's as loud as always with management, he cant himself!
- Kevin Francis

coaching and GM can fixed, 53 games isnt going to irreversibly damaged the prospects, a new owner will fix stuff up real fast even with a new coach or GM, you still have Mr. Cheapo as owner screwing everything up again.

that is what everyone said last season, including annalists and what does dorion do, draft a 4th line plug if not a career AHLer (if he is lucky) at 10th OA....
- Mithos

Yaaa...that one looks a bit weird.

"Apparantly".....well I can tell you if they like playing for him, would they quit on him at home when Vancouver was in town?! No team quits on their coach unless they want him gone!

Lets take it a step further and see what young player likes playing for DJ.
Brannstrom.....not a chance!

JBD.....I've been told he doesn't....that he actually couldn't believe what happened to him last year after he turns pro, leaves N.Dakota....gets here and only because of a last minute injury does he make his debut.....and how many times he should've played down the stretch but DJ wanted to win when they were a bottom 5 team at the time. His development took a backseat to DJ wanting to win, when fans just wanted hope and to see the youth!

Formenton....he cant stand him.....anyone close to the team will tell you that.

Stutzle....I wish I could write what I've been told....Tim doesn't like playing for him....but like Alex these 2 young kids have been jerked around by DJ....double standard for these 2.....let them play through their mistakes....I have wrote about it before....Dorion and Boucher started at each other throats when Guy wanted Alex to play a full season and develop...he said his speed alone would allow him to adjust to the NHL level.....Dorion didn't even let Alex get the 9 game trial and then send him back to junior for goodness sakes. Dorion made the personnel move, Boucher was told to shut up and that is straight from Boucher himself!!

Dorion gives DJ an extension because Brady likes him.....is what was reported....so the GM is allowing one player control things. DJ is afraid to piss off Brady, Drake or Josh....that I've been told and for those of you who know me that read the blog, you know exactly where I got that from. So that isn't a sign that players like playing for him, they know they control him!
I could go on....and on.....
- Kevin Francis

It confirms my suspicions but I didn't have your sources just a gut feeling. Especially last year when DJ selected Norris and cut L. Brown. He was already a friend Tkachuk's and sharing a house with him. It also makes DJ's 2 year extension look like an incentive for Tkachuk to sign especially with DJ's terrible record.

So PD talking to Kuznenko agent
If he comes as good as Zub I’m all in on grabbing him 😁🤙

coaching and GM can fixed, 53 games isnt going to irreversibly damaged the prospects, a new owner will fix stuff up real fast even with a new coach or GM, you still have Mr. Cheapo as owner screwing everything up again.
- Mithos

A lot stems from the fact that the Senators are our owner's principal source of income. Owning a sports team is often a losing venture, a passion project for the ludicrously wealthy. I think a new owner brings in a total overhaul of the office... But just for speculation, could you imagine replacing EM but keeping Dorion there with a mandate to spend to the cap? Now that is a terrifying prospect.

A lot stems from the fact that the Senators are our owner's principal source of income. Owning a sports team is often a losing venture, a passion project for the ludicrously wealthy. I think a new owner brings in a total overhaul of the office... But just for speculation, could you imagine replacing EM but keeping Dorion there with a mandate to spend to the cap? Now that is a terrifying prospect.
- Bartacus

owning a small market teams is about prestige and bragging rights for the multi-billionaires, small market teams are happy to break even but most often lose money, most sports teams are money losers or break even with revenue sharing and such, it is why MTL and Leaf's are worth a billion+ and OTT is worth 450M. Bigger the market bigger the fan base the most crap you can sell them (jerseys, hats etc..).

Doing lines and drinking Heinies all day with PM in His suite at the Laurier. He's getting prepped to go and disturb Melnyk and Dorions 8 p.m. dinner at Harmons Steakhouse. Man there will be fireworks.

A lot stems from the fact that the Senators are our owner's principal source of income. Owning a sports team is often a losing venture, a passion project for the ludicrously wealthy. I think a new owner brings in a total overhaul of the office... But just for speculation, could you imagine replacing EM but keeping Dorion there with a mandate to spend to the cap? Now that is a terrifying prospect.
- Bartacus

A new owner would mean sweeping changes! In Eugene's case the problem is, the team has kept him afloat personally, but these high interest loans that he takes out each year.....man.....anyways.....lots I could say on that, but some stuff I just cant post. Others in have before and there is a fair amount of it online with people who posted solid info that is true about Eugene and the financial issues.

owning a small market teams is about prestige and bragging rights for the multi-billionaires, small market teams are happy to break even but most often lose money, most sports teams are money losers or break even with revenue sharing and such, it is why MTL and Leaf's are worth a billion+ and OTT is worth 450M. Bigger the market bigger the fan base the most crap you can sell them (jerseys, hats etc..).
- Mithos

So true! Eugene has managed to alienate pretty much every small to medium sized business in this city and these businesses will never drop a cent into the team on any level until he sells. Jerseys, you name it, they will never spend a dollar on the team.

So PD talking to Kuznenko agent
If he comes as good as Zub I’m all in on grabbing him 😁🤙
- sens4life1971

I heard him talking about that today on TSN1200.
Could the TSN hosts have given Dorion easier softball questions?! Nope, it was a ridiculous interview almost like they were told by the Sens Communications dept. that they could only ask him certain things. This way, the team can say, see PD spoke to the media and made himself available. Trouble is, had he of gone on the Morning Show, JR and Simmer would have hit him with REAL questions.....or if he had a real presser, other media in this town would never have let him off the hook the way the Steve Lloyd and Graham Creech did this morning. Sad sad questions from them.

It confirms my suspicions but I didn't have your sources just a gut feeling. Especially last year when DJ selected Norris and cut L. Brown. He was already a friend Tkachuk's and sharing a house with him. It also makes DJ's 2 year extension look like an incentive for Tkachuk to sign especially with DJ's terrible record.
- granpa

Oh the stuff that has gone on behind the scenes with DJ is sickening with some players.....just awful to be honest! They told fans last month that it would be youth movement time, then a week later when they started winning PD goes on TSN TV on Dec. 16th saying if you win you are in! Like what is it going to be???? There are no expectations for this team now, the biggest most important thing should be getting the more and more of the prospects into games and gaining valuable experience!

I keep hearing talk about Alfie in some kind of management role and I gotta say - I was there at the Centre when they raised his number and watched the man speak at length - he has all the personality of a wet sponge. Dull, boring, stilted communicator, quiet. As much as he has given to this team and community, he's better off in an ownership or figurehead position - he's not the front facing inspiring personality IMO this team needs.
- Bartacus

Beyond agreed!

Berube's comments on Monday, about L. Brown and why he's on the team. Maybe DJ should tell us why L. Brown is not on the Sens especially a team that's in 30th place with a .345 winning %.

“He’s playing a certain style,” Blues coach Craig Berube said, “which we’ve talked to him about and he needs to play. I think he’s playing a pretty strong game with the puck. He’s hanging on to pucks in the offensive zone, he’s taking pucks to the net and getting some scoring opportunities. And then defensively he’s being fairly responsible overall. I think he understands about the work ethic that’s needed without the puck and being strong with the puck and not turning it over, and making good puck decisions. So that’s really what he’s doing well right now, and he’s got to continue to do that.”
“Listen, he’s got a lot of talent,” Berube said. “I think he’s got good hands. He’s got a good mind for the game. So offensively, I don’t think there’s a limit to him. I think that he got a couple of nice chances (the other) night to score. It didn’t go in, but I think as long as he is getting the scoring opportunities, the goals will come.”
- granpa

There is NO way Brown should've started the year in the AHL in his 5th training camp, you need to do whatever it takes to make that asset either into the player you want or to be able to trade him for what he is worth. When a prospect needs reps in practice with NHL players, but isn't even assigned to the NHL taxi squad, says a personal matter was allowed to takeover from properly assessing a prospect in your system like DJ did, is beyond inexcusable! At least he should've been on the taxi squad last year as they knew AHL would be weeks away from starting. Instead he was left in Ottawa.....it served no purpose. But the vendetta against Brown is all due to DJ and I'm told it goes back to Brown's junior time in Windsor, the hometown of none other than DJ Smith himself! Something happened with Brown which prompted the trade to Kitchener. DJ has a connection with the staff there from that time, plus is best friends with Boughner who owned the Spitfires at the time too. Whenever SJ is town in Ottawa, Boughner is over at DJ's house for dinner! If others on here do some digging and make the proper connections with the staff at the time in Windsor, as well as other times that DJ has done this to other players I'm told all the way back to junior in Oshawa, you will see how he takes care of his loyal players....Josh Brown from junior, Hainsey and Zaitsev....from his Leafs days...the list goes on and on I am told. Anyways, I said all I can, but there is more to this story and it will eventually get leaked out by others and the more it does the more it shows DJ isn't capable of giving each player an honest assessment at the NHL level.

Agree, and I believe it has a lot to do with how much they get paid. You can fantasize about bringing in more experience (like a Boudreau, whose daughter lives in Ottawa), but that costs real money. I read an article about the Sens searching for a new coach in 2016. Guy Boucher is listed as 'the dark horse candidate' alongside a number of known, experienced names. In Melnyk parlance, 'dark horse' means 'the one who hasn't head coached in the league in awhile/ever, is grateful to get a shot anywhere, and will do the job for a pittance'. Ditto for DJ - if we get somebody new, dollars to donuts it'll be a name you've never heard before.
- Bartacus

Boudreau is in Vancouver.