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.
- Kevin Francis

If any of this stuff is true he should be fired for that alone.

Instead we're going to see him play Chabot 30 plus minutes a game for the rest of the year or until he gets injured badly.

Boudreau is in Vancouver.
- henny1953

All assurances I am aware of that fact - I was referring to when we signed Guy Boucher. Boudreau was available then, not to mention for a long time this year. Ottawa could've called, but we've got the hand we've been dealt.

If any of this stuff is true he should be fired for that alone.

Instead we're going to see him play Chabot 30 plus minutes a game for the rest of the year or until he gets injured badly.
- Whatisavailable

That's nothing compared to how kept screwing Colin White.....so much to that story.
The thing is, Jamie Baker on TSN1200 a month ago on the postgame show said how he was so close with Jeff Brown from their days of playing together in minor hockey in Ottawa....he stated on air that night that there was so much to the Logan Brown story and how he knew what had happened but that he couldn't talk about it on air! That's when I started digging, like I said there is still way more to the story. If anyone on here can piece it together from what I posted, I hope they post their findings on here.

Should DJ be fired, coaches do far worse and I mean far worse.....but never get held accountable....this is nothing new sadly.....when it comes to coaches having it in for certain players. But when it comes out after the fact like Babcock and the stories from players about he treated them and went after certain players only or Quennville and the sad cover up on Beach, we all know how that went down after the fact, other coaches too still in the league getting away with crap, actually I am still so surprised that Crawford got away with the kicking incident from years ago, how he survived that and didn't get fired, look at the Peters thing.....Calgary fired him right away when the news came out.....everyone then goes off because the story leaked after the fact....its sad but the old boys network in hockey still exists.

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.
- Kevin Francis

Thanks for the reply. I had no clue it went back to Windsor. DJ should've found a spot for him last year either at C or W. He's been playing on the W in St-Louis and I believe that's where he'll play. Smith could've done the same in Ottawa. Who's next Brannstrom.

Thanks for the reply. I had no clue it went back to Windsor. DJ should've found a spot for him last year either at C or W. He's been playing on the W in St-Louis and I believe that's where he'll play. Smith could've done the same in Ottawa. Who's next Brannstrom.
- granpa

Brannstrom already has been jerked around for over 2 years now! Erik changed agents hoping a new agent would help him get through to management, but nothing changed this year, he started the year in the AHL. How many more good prospects are going to get sandbagged by this coach? What blows me away is DJ was a defenseman but he has really screwed a bunch of the young prospects on D, like I wrote about...Wolanin, Lajoie, Jarros, the list keeps going. I'm telling you, the amount of people stunned by what DJ did with JBD last year had many fuming.

Just last month, he had JBD practice for a week with the team when he could've played 3 games in Belleville during that timespan, then he finally played in Philly on the last game of that 3 game road trip because they lost in TB. That was the only reason he got into the lineup! Go figure man.....he continues to pull this crap and gets away with it.

Thanks for the reply. I had no clue it went back to Windsor. DJ should've found a spot for him last year either at C or W. He's been playing on the W in St-Louis and I believe that's where he'll play. Smith could've done the same in Ottawa. Who's next Brannstrom.
- granpa

Everyone said the coaching staff should've put Brown on the wing last year with so many guys at center because PD went out and brought in Paquette and Stepan, leaving no room for Brown to get minutes. Those 2 players at the end of their careers getting minutes over a 1st round pick that was in his 5th NHL training camp and no preseason games due to covid. None of it made sense! Like you said, he plays the wing in STL, but hey, the coaching staff in STL didn't have a pre-determined evaluation of Logan Brown like DJ did!

All assurances I am aware of that fact - I was referring to when we signed Guy Boucher. Boudreau was available then, not to mention for a long time this year. Ottawa could've called, but we've got the hand we've been dealt.
- Bartacus

10-4.

Dorion and Smith will start with the team next year. When putting the season in context, ownership still believes in the direction and the process. They were dealt a bad hand this season. They’ve made the decision of development first and results be what they may. Heat is on next season.

Good write up Kev.
Couldn't say much more than what you covered.


Perhaps another blog or a follow up would be to cover or discuss what (From an Ottawa perspective) may be happening with the Olympics. Quite a bit of talk about that.

Sadly our Sens the way they're being managed and coached are kinda dull.
- Octavarium

Thanks for the kind words.
As for blog ideas, I got 2 blogs I'm working now so I can post one on Friday and another during the road trip. Right now from a Sens perspective only Sanderson seems to be going to the Olympics. I will take a look around to see if other prospects are being invited. Nobody in the AHL or NHL will be going to the Olympics.

Dorion and Smith will start with the team next year. When putting the season in context, ownership still believes in the direction and the process. They were dealt a bad hand this season. They’ve made the decision of development first and results be what they may. Heat is on next season.
- Cup 06

Have they made the decision of development first? It's an honest question to you. Last year, ever radio host on TSN1200 said that entire covid season should've been used for prospects to get experience as there were ZERO expectations, instead they did the opposite, allowing vets to take icetime from the prospects. The same has happened this year too from Game 1.

Good Blog, I've thought DJ is out of his depth for a long time and Dorion is only GM because he was cheap as Melnyk did want to spend on a real GM.

I'm really concerned that the young talent on this team will not develop.

I'd like to see Paul Maurice as potential coach he as he has azreputation as a teacher in Carolina and Winnipeg
- Nimm

I hear you on why DJ and PD are employed here, cheap deals, might be the cheapest of any HC or GM in the league. You should be concerned about the prospects being developed properly. They have failed far too many of them! Maurice would be fantastic but our beloved owner wouldn't dare pay a coach more than 1 or 2 million and we all know Paul would command 4-5 million, maybe more?

Ownership issues have plagued this franchise for almost the entire modern existance.
The most stablity we've scene was with Melynk when he frist came in.

I guess I'm just wondering if there's a billionaire out there that can own this team and provide the consistant stability we've always wanted.

I still day dream about Shopify buying them.
- david22

Very well said, this last decade in particular has been a train wreck for the most part, outside of a few playoff round wins.....but hey, a billionaire is looking at buying this team.....so keep your fingers crossed!!!

Have they made the decision of development first? It's an honest question to you. Last year, ever radio host on TSN1200 said that entire covid season should've been used for prospects to get experience as there were ZERO expectations, instead they did the opposite, allowing vets to take icetime from the prospects. The same has happened this year too from Game 1.
- Kevin Francis

They acquired some placeholders (one year deal vets)because coming out of Covid they didn’t know where a lot of their prospects were at. Many proved they were ready and they shifted gears to develop them at the NHL level.
This season they were very close to acquiring a Center and a defenceman (DelZotto was plan c)but pulled the chute. Pinto and White injuries nuked their plan. Covid has hurt the SNES worse than any team with maybe the exception of the Isles. Goals have been shifted. Unfortunately fans just have to be patient.

They acquired some placeholders (one year deal vets)because coming out of Covid they didn’t know where a lot of their prospects were at. Many proved they were ready and they shifted gears to develop them at the NHL level.
This season they were very close to acquiring a Center and a defenceman (DelZotto was plan c)but pulled the chute. Pinto and White injuries nuked their plan. Covid has hurt the SNES worse than any team with maybe the exception of the Isles. Goals have been shifted. Unfortunately fans just have to be patient.
- Cup 06

Or the Habs too, they have been crushed by covid. But are you truly happy with how the defense has been handled for the 2nd straight season? How didn't they learn their lesson from last season with the vets?! There was no need to give Mete that qualifying offer when they had Brannstrom, similar in all ways and younger. MDZ, there was no reason to sign him, no team was willing to give him 2 years, heck he was on a PTO with CLB last year! We only saw Thomson because of injury to Brown. Otherwise he would be buried in the AHL still. JBD still being jerked around. Brannstrom losing his mind with this coaching staff. Heatherington is getting minutes over JBD and Thomson....last year the Gudbranson/Cobourn show, ugh, heck still playing Josh Brown this year, he was never a healthy scratch this season, only when he got injured was he out of the lineup. How the coaching staff continue to roll him out there over Brannstrom, JBD and Thomson is head scratching to say the least!

Or the Habs too, they have been crushed by covid. But are you truly happy with how the defense has been handled for the 2nd straight season? How didn't they learn their lesson from last season with the vets?! There was no need to give Mete that qualifying offer when they had Brannstrom, similar in all ways and younger. MDZ, there was no reason to sign him, no team was willing to give him 2 years, heck he was on a PTO with CLB last year! We only saw Thomson because of injury to Brown. Otherwise he would be buried in the AHL still. JBD still being jerked around. Brannstrom losing his mind with this coaching staff. Heatherington is getting minutes over JBD and Thomson....last year the Gudbranson/Cobourn show, ugh, heck still playing Josh Brown this year, he was never a healthy scratch this season, only when he got injured was he out of the lineup. How the coaching staff continue to roll him out there over Brannstrom, JBD and Thomson is head scratchign to say the least!
- Kevin Francis

This is the direction the team is taking, not my endorsement of specific decisions made. No matter who was dressing on defence, the results would likely turnout the same this year. Thomson/JBD are not regular NHL defencemen yet. Hopefully they get there but their development would be progressed better with more Belleville time. Brannstrom needs NHL time. Hopefully down the stretch he can stay healthy and consistently show what he has. Brown is a low end role player whose value is only relevant in certain matchup scenarios. With Holden and Zaitsev already dressed combined with Watson upfront(physicality/fighting), there is little room for him IMO.

This is the direction the team is taking, not my endorsement of specific decisions made. No matter who was dressing on defence, the results would likely turnout the same this year. Thomson/JBD are not regular NHL defencemen yet. Hopefully they get there but their development would be progressed better with more Belleville time. Brannstrom needs NHL time. Hopefully down the stretch he can stay healthy and consistently show what he has. Brown is a low end role player whose value is only relevant in certain matchup scenarios. With Holden and Zaitsev already dressed combined with Watson upfront(physicality/fighting), there is little room for him IMO.
- Cup 06

But that's fine if the results were the same if the kids were playing, who cares about the wins and losses if the prospects are being given the NHL experience! So if results didn't matter, they should've had the 3 young kids playing as much as possible over MDZ, Mete, or Brown or Heatherington of late....etc....

Yes well said on the muscle aspect, no need for Brown at all. He isn't a top 6 defenseman with this team but DJ keeps rolling him out there. Although JBD and Thomson might be better off in the AHL, in the final third of the season, they should be given as many games as possible at the NHL level so they are NHL ready for next year, getting used to the NHL pace. Enough of dressing Heatherington over the kids. Brannstrom has missed far too many games this season at the NHL level, not just because of injury but because he was a casualty of the numbers game being waiver exempt. This team needs to know if they are qualifying him this summer or moving him at the deadline March 21st....by giving him top 4 minutes for the next 2 months to know exactly what they have with this prospect.

Thanks for the kind words.
As for blog ideas, I got 2 blogs I'm working now so I can post one on Friday and another during the road trip. Right now from a Sens perspective only Sanderson seems to be going to the Olympics. I will take a look around to see if other prospects are being invited. Nobody in the AHL or NHL will be going to the Olympics.
- Kevin Francis

No Spooners going eh?
I just think it'll be neat if we send a sort of World Junior, Spengler hybrid team over there.

Good blog - the extra research/analysis makes for an interesting read, whether you agree with the conclusions or not.

Taking a step back, it seems pretty clear there was never any real intention for this team to be competitive until the young 1st-round d-man start cracking the NHL roster. The drafting record implies a design from the blue line out, yet they've provided virtually no functional veteran support to that position. And while Dorion was given a bit of a leash to spend UFA $$$ when cap space was a major advantage in order to show he could improve the team, it led directly to the Murray, Dadonov, Stepan, and Gudbranson fiasco. So it's maybe not surprising that Dorion is relegated to Value Village shopping at this point, unless he's re-signing young core talent.

Given that context, DJ was likely regarded as a placeholder coach from the start... and afforded the opportunity to start developing the young talent without any particular expectation in terms of wins/losses. So if he's in trouble, it has nothing to do with their record, but rather concerns about young player development. And how you evaluate that has a lot to do with your perspective. It's easy, for instance, to fixate on what's happened with guys like Brannstrom, Chlapik, Wolanin, or L. Brown, but it's not like there haven't been legitimate issues with how those players have performed. And while attendance is very low, that's to be expected if you're going to persistently fail to surround young players with decent veteran support.

Conversely, it would be hard to argue that Tkachuk-Norris-Batherson haven't emerged as a legitimate #1 NHL line, that Chabot isn't a top-pairing NHL D-man, that Stutzle and Formenton aren't settling into promising 2nd line roles, that smart & hard-working players like Zub and Pinto haven't thrived, that Thomson/JBD aren't getting well-deserved NHL looks, or that Gustavsson isn't rapidly emerging as the future G starter. In fact, several of those players are exceeding the consensus expectations they'd had as prospects.

Personally, I'd argue that Dorion is in more trouble than DJ Smith, especially with McGuire in the fray. The question is, at what point does some kind of resolution present itself? The easy answer is with the sale of the team, but if new expectations of better attendance and win/loss performance begin to present themselves in the interim, a change may be required before any sale can even be considered.

Right now from a Sens perspective only Sanderson seems to be going to the Olympics. I will take a look around to see if other prospects are being invited. Nobody in the AHL or NHL will be going to the Olympics.
- Kevin Francis

That really would be an amazing opportunity for Sanderson... especially after losing the chance to captain the USA team at the WJC. Good to see Boucher getting a different opportunity in the OHL as well... whatever problems he was having in the NCAA were really starting to impact his development. Having read a number of articles and interviews since that decision, it sounds like he's in a good head space about the transition, so maybe this will get things back on the rails for him.

Apparently an extremely drunk patron was arrested last night at Harmon's Restaurant for attacking 2 Hockey Executives with a 50 oz $220.00 Tomahawk Steak. Staff described the man as distraught, high and drooling. Some staff, who would not go on the record, stated they recognized the man who'd been removed from Harmon's many times for allegedly trying to sniff butts.

Dark times in Ottawa

Good blog - the extra research/analysis makes for an interesting read, whether you agree with the conclusions or not.

Taking a step back, it seems pretty clear there was never any real intention for this team to be competitive until the young 1st-round d-man start cracking the NHL roster. The drafting record implies a design from the blue line out, yet they've provided virtually no functional veteran support to that position. And while Dorion was given a bit of a leash to spend UFA $$$ when cap space was a major advantage in order to show he could improve the team, it led directly to the Murray, Dadonov, Stepan, and Gudbranson fiasco. So it's maybe not surprising that Dorion is relegated to Value Village shopping at this point, unless he's re-signing young core talent.

Given that context, DJ was likely regarded as a placeholder coach from the start... and afforded the opportunity to start developing the young talent without any particular expectation in terms of wins/losses. So if he's in trouble, it has nothing to do with their record, but rather concerns about young player development. And how you evaluate that has a lot to do with your perspective. It's easy, for instance, to fixate on what's happened with guys like Brannstrom, Chlapik, Wolanin, or L. Brown, but it's not like there haven't been legitimate issues with how those players have performed. And while attendance is very low, that's to be expected if you're going to persistently fail to surround young players with decent veteran support.

Conversely, it would be hard to argue that Tkachuk-Norris-Batherson haven't emerged as a legitimate #1 NHL line, that Chabot isn't a top-pairing NHL D-man, that Stutzle and Formenton aren't settling into promising 2nd line roles, that smart & hard-working players like Zub and Pinto haven't thrived, that Thomson/JBD aren't getting well-deserved NHL looks, or that Gustavsson isn't rapidly emerging as the future G starter. In fact, several of those players are exceeding the consensus expectations they'd had as prospects.

Personally, I'd argue that Dorion is in more trouble than DJ Smith, especially with McGuire in the fray. The question is, at what point does some kind of resolution present itself? The easy answer is with the sale of the team, but if new expectations of better attendance and win/loss performance begin to present themselves in the interim, a change may be required before any sale can even be considered.
- khawk

Get rid of the rose coloured glasses. Chabot is a #4D on a top team because he's very average defensively. The Tkachuk, Norris, Batherson line is 2/3 of a #1 line. They look like a legitimate #1 line against bad teams or backup goalies and teams that don't take them seriously and don't play them hard. Stutzle is a highly skilled perimeter entertainer and Formenton's game is all about foot speed. It's possible that things could change in the future but right now that's what I see and the coaching staff that's in place will surely not change anything.

derek stepan scored his 4 goal last night - he has 8 points in 25 games and is +4

But that's fine if the results were the same if the kids were playing, who cares about the wins and losses if the prospects are being given the NHL experience! So if results didn't matter, they should've had the 3 young kids playing as much as possible over MDZ, Mete, or Brown or Heatherington of late....etc....

Yes well said on the muscle aspect, no need for Brown at all. He isn't a top 6 defenseman with this team but DJ keeps rolling him out there. Although JBD and Thomson might be better off in the AHL, in the final third of the season, they should be given as many games as possible at the NHL level so they are NHL ready for next year, getting used to the NHL pace. Enough of dressing Heatherington over the kids. Brannstrom has missed far too many games this season at the NHL level, not just because of injury but because he was a casualty of the numbers game being waiver exempt. This team needs to know if they are qualifying him this summer or moving him at the deadline March 21st....by giving him top 4 minutes for the next 2 months to know exactly what they have with this prospect.
- Kevin Francis

I actually like Heatherington don’t know why everyone is down on him
Unlike Thomson JBD Brannstrom Mete ,Heatherington can breakup plays move people from front of net
And considering he’s only has 20games he has good numbers 🤷‍♂️
Our Defence isn’t gonna change if we don’t get sandpaper back there to break up players .
Chabot
JBD
Zub
Heatherington
Sanderson
Thomson
Then when Zietsev gone bring in another big guy who can play the defence who can break up plays box out and pass puck out to play with Chabby

I understand how everyone wants to see a better immediate result, However, making moves to accelerate team success is not the best option.

Look, revenue is being crushed again. The salary cap will take another huge hit again this year as well as next. These kids are going to need to be paid. They just can't risk another Murray the contract.

I understand how everyone wants to see a better immediate result, However, making moves to accelerate team success is not the best option.

Look, revenue is being crushed again. The salary cap will take another huge hit again this year as well as next. These kids are going to need to be paid. They just can't risk another Murray the contract.
- spatso

Revenue getting crushed actually plays into Sens fan's hands quite well when you think about it.