This consistent overplaying of Chabot in particular is a very tired true tactic this coach continually employs that gets routinely criticized by everyone with a brain. It only serves to amplify how imperfect a player Chabot himself is. Chabot is not panacea to all our problems on the blue line, but this coach seems to think it's in both the team's best interest and the best move for his job security to run the kid out for 30+ minutes a night. He's the most played player in the league for each season DJ has been behind the bench, and the results are plain as day.

The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.
Albert Einstein
- Bartacus

I’m not defending smith in anyway because he needs to go..but who do you plan on putting out there if it’s not Chabot? Now, this season he’s been avg at best, but there’s nobody else who could do what he does.

Look at the pens and how many minutes they’re playing Letang and they have a better dcore then us.

The team lacks elite dmen and lack structure when they get smashed in their own zone.

They struggle getting the puck out, they turn the puck over a lot, and they can’t seem to bury their opportunities.

I thought the offense was supposed to carry us but it hasn’t.

Zaitsev and Hellberg put on waivers.

Zaitsev ain't going anywhere but message to players, DJ?
- GrimmdaGoalie

Waiving Zaitsev was a message to DJ.
DJ played Zaitsev instead of JBD the first time JBD brought in.
DJ played Zaitsev instead of Holden when JBD brought in second time despite Brannstrom-Holden pairing in practice.
Zaitsev toy now taken away from DJ.

All that says to me is that Dorion didn't want Zaitsev to play but also didn't want to waive him. So Dorion had to be pissed with DJ in order to do this but not so pissed as to fire DJ... too bad!

I’m not defending smith in anyway because he needs to go..but who do you plan on putting out there if it’s not Chabot? Now, this season he’s been avg at best, but there’s nobody else who could do what he does.

Look at the pens and how many minutes they’re playing Letang and they have a better dcore then us.

The team lacks elite dmen and lack structure when they get smashed in their own zone.

They struggle getting the puck out, they turn the puck over a lot, and they can’t seem to bury their opportunities.

I thought the offense was supposed to carry us but it hasn’t.
- Trilla

Agreed, for somebody in DJ's shoes it's scary to put other D-men out there, but when you do the same thing over and over - for years at that - and it isn't working, and when the numbers show Chabot *might* perform better with more limited deployment, I just don't get it. What's the worst thing that could happen? We lose more? We seem to lose a lot with the current scenario. Inversely, who is to say some of these underplayed players wouldn't perform better with more deployment? Certainly the coach has given Zaitsev every opportunity to prove narratives wrong, why isn't that privilege extended to others? Experimentation requires courage and tenacity, and it seems like our GM has to play too much of a role micromanaging the roster, like waiving Zaitsev, in order to force the on ice experimentation a dynamic coach *should* be trying.

I think the following from Marc Methot hits directly at my fundamental concerns with the Sens defence. I think it is incredibly simplistic for folks to think that getting rid of Zaitsev will make it better. With Zub going down it is even more apparent the Sens do not have the horses on the back end.

It was the clearly stated first priority of this summer to add a top 4 Dman. It did not happen.

Marc Methot

@MarcMethot3
·
9h
Hi, Sens twitter. I have an assignment for everybody today. Go to http://NHL.com and watch the first 5 Vancouver goals, then report back here.
91
16
207

Marc Methot

@MarcMethot3
·
9h
When you do decide to report back, tell me what you see. Put your feelings aside and try to watch those goals without bias. I’ll tell you exactly what I’m seeing, even if it may go against the grain a little.
7
3
81

Marc Methot

@MarcMethot3
·
9h
Pay attention to:
1st- (Zaitsev/Brannstrom)
2nd- (Hamonic)
3rd- (Hamonic)
4th-(Hamonic)
5th-(Brannstrom)

I think the following from Marc Methot hits directly at my fundamental concerns with the Sens defence. I think it is incredibly simplistic for folks to think that getting rid of Zaitsev will make it better. With Zub going down it is even more apparent the Sens do not have the horses on the back end.

It was the clearly stated first priority of this summer to add a top 4 Dman. It did not happen.

Marc Methot

@MarcMethot3
·
9h
Hi, Sens twitter. I have an assignment for everybody today. Go to http://NHL.com and watch the first 5 Vancouver goals, then report back here.
91
16
207

Marc Methot

@MarcMethot3
·
9h
When you do decide to report back, tell me what you see. Put your feelings aside and try to watch those goals without bias. I’ll tell you exactly what I’m seeing, even if it may go against the grain a little.
7
3
81

Marc Methot

@MarcMethot3
·
9h
Pay attention to:
1st- (Zaitsev/Brannstrom)
2nd- (Hamonic)
3rd- (Hamonic)
4th-(Hamonic)
5th-(Brannstrom)
- spatso

I was pointing this stuff out during the game and you can see that I was posting it here near the bottom of page 2 and the top of page 3.

If you listen to the talking heads on TSN they look at this and conclude that Chabot is the problem and really needs to play better and that nonsense gets repeated by the people calling in on the post game show. I couldn't even force myself to listen to their shows yesterday morning. What crap!

Anyway I'm looking forward to seeing how JBD looks alongside Chabot in NJ which is a much better team than Vancouver. Chabot was really helping JBD out a lot on the ice last game and I expect that to continue but poor Sanderson is stuck with Hamonic until Zub is back.

I say this with the understanding that with this coach you never know what he'll do.

MTL by all accounts has a worst forward group, worst D and G than OTT and beat VAN 5-2, OTT woes are not because of their D, hell Panthers had a worst D than OTT and still won, Vegas has their top 2 G out with injuries and yet they are dominating, Boston did not have Marchand or Mcavoy and still win.

Michael Andlauer is the name insiders are whispering as the guy with the inside lane to purchase the Sens. Interesting story. Self made. Huge hockey fan, part owner of Canadiens.

Will not disclose how much of the Canadiens he actually owns. But it is enough that he is named as the alternate governor behind Molson. Best I can see is that he put $28m of hard cash into the Canadiens purchase. A lot of real money when most people are buying and selling paper as opposed to cash.

Partnership paid around $550m to buy the Canadiens, now valued at $1.8b.

If Sens sell for $800m he should be able to cover a large portion of the purchase through the sale of his interest in the Canadiens.

He is reportedly a favourite of Bettman and has supposedly made huge windfall profits over the last couple of years due to his pivotal role in the logistics and transportation of covid vaccine distribution.

Will not disclose how much of the Canadiens he actually owns. But it is enough that he is named as the alternate governor behind Molson. Best I can see is that he put $28m of hard cash into the Canadiens purchase. A lot of real money when most people are buying and selling paper as opposed to cash.

- spatso

I have read that he owns 20% of the Canadiens.

Removing Zaitsev is addition by subtraction. However, this is not magically fixing the defence. The summer goal was to acquire a legitimate top 4 d-man. While internally, Sanderson has played well, you’d have to think one’s solution could not be a 20-year-old rookie?

The Sens are now not dealing from a position of strength. The entire league knows the team needs more competent defence. This will make trading hard. Addressing this internally via JBD or Thompson is possible but also not an ideal scenario.

Not sure why PD is scouting the Jets and the Habs, both teams are playing well. Usually you don't mess with that, unless you're DJ smith on a four game winning streak.


Anyone think maybe the Ducks might give us Shattenkirk for a deal? RD, knows what he's doing. He doesn't play heavy hockey but he's a skilled defenseman.

Not sure why PD is scouting the Jets and the Habs, both teams are playing well. Usually you don't mess with that, unless you're DJ smith on a four game winning streak.


Anyone think maybe the Ducks might give us Shattenkirk for a deal? RD, knows what he's doing. He doesn't play heavy hockey but he's a skilled defenseman.
- Octavarium

MTL was at WPG last Friday that he scouted, then scouted MTL again last night. Shattenkirk would solid.

Waiving Zaitsev was a message to DJ.
DJ played Zaitsev instead of JBD the first time JBD brought in.
DJ played Zaitsev instead of Holden when JBD brought in second time despite Brannstrom-Holden pairing in practice.
Zaitsev toy now taken away from DJ.

All that says to me is that Dorion didn't want Zaitsev to play but also didn't want to waive him. So Dorion had to be pissed with DJ in order to do this but not so pissed as to fire DJ... too bad!
- SensFan25

I was told there was a heated exchanged between the 2 after the Flyers game, so this move comes as no surprise as PD feels like DJ showed him up yet again.

Removing Zaitsev is addition by subtraction. However, this is not magically fixing the defence. The summer goal was to acquire a legitimate top 4 d-man. While internally, Sanderson has played well, you’d have to think one’s solution could not be a 20-year-old rookie?

The Sens are now not dealing from a position of strength. The entire league knows the team needs more competent defence. This will make trading hard. Addressing this internally via JBD or Thompson is possible but also not an ideal scenario.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

To listen to DJ defend Zaitsev again the other day was just sickening. All you had to do was look at the faces of some of the media that day after his response. It was Ian Mendes that asked him the question, I was told everyone in the room was stunned in silence after his response.

Like you said, it will have to come internally now, as I doubt a trade happens anytime soon. Thomson or Heatherington should get a look.

I was pointing this stuff out during the game and you can see that I was posting it here near the bottom of page 2 and the top of page 3.

If you listen to the talking heads on TSN they look at this and conclude that Chabot is the problem and really needs to play better and that nonsense gets repeated by the people calling in on the post game show. I couldn't even force myself to listen to their shows yesterday morning. What crap!

Anyway I'm looking forward to seeing how JBD looks alongside Chabot in NJ which is a much better team than Vancouver. Chabot was really helping JBD out a lot on the ice last game and I expect that to continue but poor Sanderson is stuck with Hamonic until Zub is back.

I say this with the understanding that with this coach you never know what he'll do.
- Whatisavailable

You just have to listen to him lately in his pressers, he sounds defeated. His body language says it all. So you are correct, you don't know what to think with this coach, he is desperate. The fact that Joseph will be a scratch tonight says a lot. Mind you, I said it at the time, horrible deal to give a guy that you still had control of for another year! No hockey IQ, every scout said that about Joseph, yet PD gives him that big deal because he knew of the issues with Formenton. Unreal!

MTL by all accounts has a worst forward group, worst D and G than OTT and beat VAN 5-2, OTT woes are not because of their D, hell Panthers had a worst D than OTT and still won, Vegas has their top 2 G out with injuries and yet they are dominating, Boston did not have Marchand or Mcavoy and still win.
- Mithos

Sens beat the Caps with 5 of their top 9 forwards out! Sens beat Dallas and Boston with their back up goaltenders in.

Both TSN and NHL.com have Zaitsev at -2 so he had to be on the ice for 2 goals at least.
- dcz28

The amount of times that Ottawa got caught running around in their end only to finally escape lol, pretty much every time it happened it was when Zaitsev was on the ice.

Ottawa has just under 4M in cap space. If they want to get Top 4 D or another center for the rest of the year, sending Zaitsev is the only way he can do both or either, depending on what the players salary. He was very calculated putting him on waivers so he can clear the cap space to make proper acquisitions.

To listen to DJ defend Zaitsev again the other day was just sickening. All you had to do was look at the faces of some of the media that day after his response. It was Ian Mendes that asked him the question, I was told everyone in the room was stunned in silence after his response.

Like you said, it will have to come internally now, as I doubt a trade happens anytime soon. Thomson or Heatherington should get a look.
- Kevin Francis

One has to wonder if there is something more going on with Zaitsev/DJ than we know. He hasn’t been an NHL quality d-man during his entire Sens stint. It’s pleasing to know some media like Ian Mendes are not afraid to ask the tough questions to create awkward responses, that shouldn’t be awkward if answered correctly.

I am trying to be positive that the defence can be solved internally. It wasn’t long ago Zub wasn’t in the opening night roster but got a chance and is now the clubs most reliable d-man. Perhaps a similar path can happen for JBD/Thomson/ Heatherington. However, what are the odds the franchise has so many quality d-men who essentially only get played because the coach/GM backs are against the wall?

As a positive, I feel the forward group is fine and is the reason the team is actually in games. They are creating opportunities and once a little puck luck comes, the floodgates will open. Despite Debrincat not scoring goals, he is setting them up and looking dangerous in recent games. Giroux is one of the most consistent forwards along with Brady. Stu is really starting to come into his own and is very close to moving into superstar territory. Batherson needs to work on consistency game to game a bit but you can’t deny he is a solidified top 6 option who may just become one of the best RW’s in the game. He was on that pace last year until his knee injury. Lastly, Pinto has been a pleasant surprise. While his goal per game pace was not sustainable, he does not look out of place as a rookie.

Sometimes road games are just what the doctor ordered too. You go back to keeping the game simple, not trying to put on a show, and don’t have in game distractions. While the Vancouver game was exciting with a potential new owner getting a standing O from fans and players and learning about Neil’s jersey retirement, that energy can sometimes create a tough atmosphere for players. None of that stuff is on the road and the team can focus on being the spoiler.

This said, there possibly cannot be much rope left for DJ and the rest of the coaching staff. I really do anticipate heads falling if there are several more losses in the next week.

Ottawa has just under 4M in cap space. If they want to get Top 4 D or another center for the rest of the year, sending Zaitsev is the only way he can do both or either, depending on what the players salary. He was very calculated putting him on waivers so he can clear the cap space to make proper acquisitions.
- Kevin Francis

At least you got a few good years of Connor Brown out of that Zaitsev deal.

You just have to listen to him lately in his pressers, he sounds defeated. His body language says it all. So you are correct, you don't know what to think with this coach, he is desperate. The fact that Joseph will be a scratch tonight says a lot. Mind you, I said it at the time, horrible deal to give a guy that you still had control of for another year! No hockey IQ, every scout said that about Joseph, yet PD gives him that big deal because he knew of the issues with Formenton. Unreal!
- Kevin Francis

Who will replace Joseph?

You just have to listen to him lately in his pressers, he sounds defeated. His body language says it all. So you are correct, you don't know what to think with this coach, he is desperate. The fact that Joseph will be a scratch tonight says a lot. Mind you, I said it at the time, horrible deal to give a guy that you still had control of for another year! No hockey IQ, every scout said that about Joseph, yet PD gives him that big deal because he knew of the issues with Formenton. Unreal!
- Kevin Francis

I have a feeling that the Mathieu Joseph trade and contract had something to do with Dorion bringing in Chabot's former teammate/buddy and wanting to keep Chabot happy.

Who will replace Joseph?
- Whatisavailable

Gambrell.

I have a feeling that the Mathieu Joseph trade and contract had something to do with Dorion bringing in Chabot's former teammate/buddy and wanting to keep Chabot happy.
- SensFan25

This GM needs to stop making players happy, like the Norris deal for his buddy Brady. Same thing with Chabot.....that stupidity needs to end. Norris should have been a bridge deal, I said it at the time and I will stick to that. Joseph.....we had more year control.....he skates miles and does nothing!

Gambrell.
- SensFan25

Yes Gambrell on the RW for the 3rd line. Speaks volumes that they have probably told Joseph a bunch of times to get his act together and still hasn't.

Losing Formenton, Brown and Paul is really starting to show, especially on the PK.

At least you got a few good years of Connor Brown out of that Zaitsev deal.
- Rang

A couple of years of Brown though, when you look at the salary of Zaitsev at 4.5M per and how long he has been here and still this year and next left on it....hmm....plus Ottawa had to extend Brown after the first year he was here.