I missed the second period but I didn't see any trace of offense from this lineup other than the Stutzle goal, which was just a quick stretch pass as opposed to offensive pressure, - and the power play. Sanderson played well from what I saw so that's good. Watson was OK. I think Guenette made an effort.

Toronto on the other hand dominated with guys like Marner, Nylander and Malgin looking good and dangerous throughout.
- Whatisavailable

Stutzle and Sanderson stood out for me....Guenette I guess was decent....but yes the Leafs dominated, very one sided. Naturally no defensive zone structure...fire drill for the defensive zone breakout.

Stutzle and Sanderson stood out for me....Guenette I guess was decent....but yes the Leafs dominated, very one sided. Naturally no defensive zone structure...fire drill for the defensive zone breakout.
- Kevin Francis

The biggest need the Sens didn't address this summer for me was not getting rid of DJ Smith and hiring a decent coach. Even if they add Chychrun, i still think they would have some struggles because of DJ. They might win some games that they would lose last season because of the additions they made to the offense along with some improvement from young players but you need good systems and a coach that can make adjustments if you want to be able to consistently win games.

The biggest need the Sens didn't address this summer for me was not getting rid of DJ Smith and hiring a decent coach. Even if they add Chychrun, i still think they would have some struggles because of DJ. They might win some games that they would lose last season because of the additions they made to the offense along with some improvement from young players but you need good systems and a coach that can make adjustments if you want to be able to consistently win games.
- dcz28

Yup so true! I got this text from an NHL player personnel director during the game today. He said, he was watching it on the NHL Network in the US this afternoon.......and I quote....How is DJ Smith still employed by any NHL team? Other teams with any speed like the Leafs showed today at the forward position, will feast off the Sens turnovers in the defensive zone as long as it remains status quo with his so-called system.

Yup so true! I got this text from an NHL player personnel director during the game today. He said, he was watching it on the NHL Network in the US this afternoon.......and I quote....How is DJ Smith still employed by any NHL team? Other teams with any speed like the Leafs showed today at the forward position, will feast off the Sens turnovers in the defensive zone as long as it remains status quo with his so-called system.
- Kevin Francis

I know that all too well given Blashill had the same stupid defensive system as the Sens do with DJ. Thank god Yzerman got rid of Blashill and now Lalonde is implementing all new systems with more focus on defense from the forwards too but also use the speed of the forwards to create more offense. Sucks that the Wings have to wait until Tuesday for their first pre-season game but it should give them more time to practice their new systems. Even though it's only pre-season and there will be plenty of players that won't be on the opening roster, i'm curious to see those new systems as much as i am seeing some of the new players and prospects play.

Yup so true! I got this text from an NHL player personnel director during the game today. He said, he was watching it on the NHL Network in the US this afternoon.......and I quote....How is DJ Smith still employed by any NHL team? Other teams with any speed like the Leafs showed today at the forward position, will feast off the Sens turnovers in the defensive zone as long as it remains status quo with his so-called system.
- Kevin Francis

That was part of it but Leaf’s were coming through the neutral zone with speed, driving back Ottawa defenders and maintaining control into the offensive zone. Nylander and the Malgun were insane but even guys like Steeves and Minden and Kampala were controlling play.

I know that all too well given Blashill had the same stupid defensive system as the Sens do with DJ. Thank god Yzerman got rid of Blashill and now Lalonde is implementing all new systems with more focus on defense from the forwards too but also use the speed of the forwards to create more offense. Sucks that the Wings have to wait until Tuesday for their first pre-season game but it should give them more time to practice their new systems. Even though it's only pre-season and there will be plenty of players that won't be on the opening roster, i'm curious to see those new systems as much as i am seeing some of the new players and prospects play.
- dcz28

Well said!!!

That was part of it but Leaf’s were coming through the neutral zone with speed, driving back Ottawa defenders and maintaining control into the offensive zone. Nylander and the Malgun were insane but even guys like Steeves and Minden and Kampala were controlling play.
- Canada Cup

Oh I agree, their speed was huge today....that's what that NHL personnel director was getting at when he texted me....he said Ottawa is in huge trouble with the way the D and structure are.....teams with skill and speed will hurt Ottawa!

I just tweeted this!

@CJ_Stevenson
good on you for calling out Zaitsev's play just now on the pre-game show....but the moment Gord Wilson defended Zaitsev....I kid you not, I turned off the radio!
@tsn1200
what a joke....
@TSNJR
can you tell Gord to stop with being a homer and be objective for once!

The perfect dman for the yotes
- Mithos

I just tweeted this!

@CJ_Stevenson
good on you for calling out Zaitsev's play just now on the pre-game show....but the moment Gord Wilson defended Zaitsev....I kid you not, I turned off the radio!
@tsn1200
what a joke....
@TSNJR
can you tell Gord to stop with being a homer and be objective for once!
- Kevin Francis

Yup so true! I got this text from an NHL player personnel director during the game today. He said, he was watching it on the NHL Network in the US this afternoon.......and I quote....How is DJ Smith still employed by any NHL team? Other teams with any speed like the Leafs showed today at the forward position, will feast off the Sens turnovers in the defensive zone as long as it remains status quo with his so-called system.
- Kevin Francis

The pressure will be on DJ Smith, eventually he will be replaced -- but to be a great GM you need to be proactive and this team needs to (and can) take some significant strides !

Stutzle and Sanderson stood out for me....Guenette I guess was decent....but yes the Leafs dominated, very one sided. Naturally no defensive zone structure...fire drill for the defensive zone breakout.
- Kevin Francis

I'm not a coach and not nearly smart enough to know what the Sens are doing wrong but I know there are guys who are smart enough and this team needs one of those guys in the coaching position. Toronto looks organized and seem to know what to do. Ottawa is chaos.

Yup so true! I got this text from an NHL player personnel director during the game today. He said, he was watching it on the NHL Network in the US this afternoon.......and I quote....How is DJ Smith still employed by any NHL team? Other teams with any speed like the Leafs showed today at the forward position, will feast off the Sens turnovers in the defensive zone as long as it remains status quo with his so-called system.
- Kevin Francis

Barry Trotz just sitting there....

If DJ doesn't get fired if they get off to another slow start.....

Yup so true! I got this text from an NHL player personnel director during the game today. He said, he was watching it on the NHL Network in the US this afternoon.......and I quote....How is DJ Smith still employed by any NHL team? Other teams with any speed like the Leafs showed today at the forward position, will feast off the Sens turnovers in the defensive zone as long as it remains status quo with his so-called system.
- Kevin Francis

Barry Trotz just sitting there....

If DJ doesn't get fired if they get off to another slow start.....

I will be disappointed if Kestellec does not make the team.

Size matters and I feel really good about the possibility Kestellec, Watson and Kelly creating some mayhem.

Really impressed with Pinto tonight. I though his game looked really solid.

Chabot was flying.

I still would've given Antron Stralman a PTO. Zaitsev needs to be gone - we have Holden AND Hamonic - this is too much

I still would've given Antron Stralman a PTO. Zaitsev needs to be gone - we have Holden AND Hamonic - this is too much
- AlfieisKing

\
Stralman would have just blocked the youth from getting playing time. But agreed Zaistev should never have been to even start training camp.

I will be disappointed if Kestellec does not make the team.

Size matters and I feel really good about the possibility Kestellec, Watson and Kelly creating some mayhem.

Really impressed with Pinto tonight. I though his game looked really solid.

Chabot was flying.
- spatso

I am with you on Kastelic! Pinto was very solid. Postgame blog on the 2 games will be up tomorrow.

Barry Trotz just sitting there....

If DJ doesn't get fired if they get off to another slow start.....
- GrimmdaGoalie

Or Claude Julien living right here in Ottawa!

I'm not a coach and not nearly smart enough to know what the Sens are doing wrong but I know there are guys who are smart enough and this team needs one of those guys in the coaching position. Toronto looks organized and seem to know what to do. Ottawa is chaos.
- Whatisavailable

I couldn't have said it any better!

Only saw the third period of the second game. Top line looked like a top line. Chabot stands head and shoulders above everybody else on the ice. I like Crookshank (if only he was bigger) and Kastelec.

Both Sogaard and Mandolese have looked good. In the first game when Sanderson looked a bit like he caught an edge but was able to recover and catch Marner really impressed me. Sanderson looks more than ready.

Anyway, early days.

\
Stralman would have just blocked the youth from getting playing time. But agreed Zaistev should never have been to even start training camp.
- Kevin Francis

Right but that's what I wish happened --- Zaitsev gone and Stralman coming in here. He played with Chychrun last year and is a good sweedish vet for Erik Brannstrom -- just seems like a much better fit than NZ

Or Claude Julien living right here in Ottawa!
- Kevin Francis

Yes great idea. Claude Julien, Barry Trotz, Alain Vigneault, Joel Quenneville.... there's many

I would get ALL over Trotz!! Past 7 Jack Adams handed out, 2 of them have gone to him - on 2 different teams!

Yes great idea. Claude Julien, Barry Trotz, Alain Vigneault, Joel Quenneville.... there's many

I would get ALL over Trotz!! Past 7 Jack Adams handed out, 2 of them have gone to him - on 2 different teams!
- AlfieisKing

I doubt the league allows Quenville to coach again considering how awful he was with the Kyle Beach story plus your team already has enough going on with two players and the hockey Canada scandal.

Smith is not going anywhere in the short term if Ottawa stays above .500.

The players appear to love and respect him and in today's NHL almost everything (other than winning) is secondary to having the players' confidence.