They finished 10 points behind ottawa last year. Stop with your passive aggressive crap. How on earth can you post on here stating they are two years ahead with 17 games after the end of last year and the start of this season? Get real man. Your binders with how coaching doesn’t affect a team is truly ridiculous. Coaching has a direct impact on how teams play, it affects the outcome of games but stating coaching doesn’t is amateur hour with you.
- PuckPix

Look up the number of commentators who played the game at the NHL level who have stepped up to say that the issue in Ottawa is not coaching. Then look at the number of none playing commentators who want to insist the issue must be coaching.

If the pro commentators are right and it is not the coaching, how do you explain the funk they are experiencing?

Look up the number of commentators who played the game at the NHL level who have stepped up to say that the issue in Ottawa is not coaching. Then look at the number of none playing commentators who want to insist the issue must be coaching.

If the pro commentators are right and it is not the coaching, how do you explain the funk they are experiencing?
- spatso

Post them all here with proof!

Post them all here with proof!
- PuckPix

Read in the Ottawa Sun today that some fans Walter the game were chanting “ Fire DJ” His days are numbered!

How this player can affect ottawa both when he plays and when he doesn’t by blocking trades is absolutely something many teams will never experience.
- PuckPix

Honestly. You have to assume he's got Arizona on that list too if Chicago and Vancouver are on there. Means his list is structured to avoid being dealt to a bottom dweller, and likely the waiving happened because there is literally no option to deal him. Anywhere. Nobody has space. You'd think the player would want to extricate himself from the negativity and give himself a fresh start elsewhere.

Until they get rid of that coach, imo the Sens are not going to be very good. There might be issues with the roster but not enough for them to be as bad as their record is.
- dcz28

100%

The blamer, whiner and sniveler group of fans is comprised primarily of fans who do not want to look directly into the harsh light of reality.

- spatso

Back to your condescending ways.

I think most fans would agree with this:

Is the only problem with the Sens the coaching? No

Is the biggest problem with the Sens the coaching? Maybe

Is there another team in the NHL that will make DJ a head coach in the next 2-3 years? Chances are not likely

Should the Sens fire the coach? how can you not if they keep playing like this

They finished 10 points behind ottawa last year. Stop with your passive aggressive crap. How on earth can you post on here stating they are two years ahead with 17 games after the end of last year and the start of this season? Get real man. Your binders with how coaching doesn’t affect a team is truly ridiculous. Coaching has a direct impact on how teams play, it affects the outcome of games but stating coaching doesn’t is amateur hour with you.
- PuckPix

Andrew Brunette is the Devils coach that's why the big change in the team. He's the associate coach not an assistant. What were seeing in not Lindy Ruff hockey. So they did make a coaching change.

I missed the Devils game but rewatched it and it was quite a telling game and the differences from game one of this season was clear as day. Both games had sellout crowds. Both games, the team did not play a great overall game and lacked structure.

However, in game one, the team seemed to feed off the crowd. In the Devils game, the team did not seem ready to play and lacked any jump or urgency.

In game one, the team did not let adversity get to them and kept playing hard. In the Devils game, the team constantly curled up in the fetal position when things didn’t go their way. Even when there was a glimmer of hope after the Talbot save and Brassard goal, the team lacked any urgency to keep that momentum and resulted in one of the poorest backchecks on a powerplay to allow a shorthanded goal I have ever seen.

I remember Brady being positively overwhelmed by the atmosphere in game 1 of the year during his on-ice interview. It was telling and you felt like this team was taking a step forward. His presser after the loss, he seemed frustrated with the crowd/fan atmosphere who are purely looking for answers.

Do the players deserve blame? 100%. Do the coaches deserve blame? 100%. Does the management deserve blame? 100%. This was not supposed to be a last place quality team. Not with this offence. There need to be consequences and changes, one way or another. The easiest thing is to fire the coach and get some change going and get some new voices in there. Is this the right choice? It’s usually the old “can’t fire the players” cop out. However, even if folks think coaching isn’t the number one issue, do they really see DJ Smith and co as the coaching staff in 2-3 years when this team is supposed to be vying for the Stanley Cup? I’d find that very hard to believe.

Go get a true top 4 RD. Right being the key word.

Not a placeholder. Not a plugger. Not yet another 5/6 guy. Not a LD who can play R.

And it can be addressed in off-season, as there are a bunch of true RDs who are top 4, Dumba and Severson among them.

I'd rather them trade Zaitsev, Norris, and 2024 1st for Seth Jones.

And before any of this, fire the coach and sign Zub.

Go get a true top 4 RD. Right being the key word.

Not a placeholder. Not a plugger. Not yet another 5/6 guy. Not a LD who can play R.

And it can be addressed in off-season, as there are a bunch of true RDs who are top 4, Dumba and Severson among them.

I'd rather them trade Zaitsev, Norris, and 2024 1st for Seth Jones.

And before any of this, fire the coach and sign Zub.
- GrimmdaGoalie

Interesting thought - is Seth Jones THE D-man we need/want?

He will turn 29 next October. 7 years @9.5M at that point (almost 36M in USD in the first 3 years). Is it possible or are you thinking they retain $$$

ya Spatso, I've long thought you worked for the team or something.

I haven't heard a single pundit say the coach was or wasn't the problem because they never would. They need to be able to look the man in the eye at a presser and not have to say "hey we think you should be fired".


Anyone who's coached hockey at any level would see they'd be vastly better with someone else at the helm. Perfect? No. But nobody expected that this year. We expected competitive. In games. Gelling, patterns of consistency. Not the same old crap he has seen fail for years now.

He's done.
I'm not paying money to see them again while he's still running things. It's that simple.

Dorion really underestimated the extent to which Zaitsev would be a problem. I've been saying since before the draft to get Zaitsev away from the team ASAP, and that he should never EVER have been at training camp, let alone on the starting roster. Now you've got an absolute bomb going off with this guy, in addition to a pissed off fan base, and a series of missed opportunities to mitigate the situation. Now, every time Dorion picks up the phone, it's not only all over the internet, but every GM in the NHL knows he's operating from a position of serious weakness. It's basically a fleecing waiting to happen.

My darkhorse bet in all of this is that you see them make a trade with PHI for Ristolainen... he just checks too many boxes, including being a big-body natural RHD in his late 20's on a stable long-term contract with no signing bonus $$$ or trade protection. Plus, he's fallen out of favour with his team, PHI is now rapidly dropping back to where they should be in the standings, and the Flyers would likely be open to a picks/prospects-heavy return.

Dorion really underestimated the extent to which Zaitsev would be a problem. I've been saying since before the draft to get Zaitsev away from the team ASAP, and that he should never EVER have been at training camp, let alone on the starting roster. Now you've got an absolute bomb going off with this guy, in addition to a pissed off fan base, and a series of missed opportunities to mitigate the situation. Now, every time Dorion picks up the phone, it's not only all over the internet, but every GM in the NHL knows he's operating from a position of serious weakness. It's basically a fleecing waiting to happen.

My darkhorse bet in all of this is that you see them make a trade with PHI for Ristolainen... he just checks too many boxes, including being a big-body natural RHD in his late 20's on a stable long-term contract with no signing bonus $$$ or trade protection. Plus, he's fallen out of favour with his team, PHI is now rapidly dropping back to where they should be in the standings, and the Flyers would likely be open to a picks/prospects-heavy return.
- khawk

Zaitsev has had a cloud following him ever since Lou signed him to his contract. The guy seemingly decided to stop playing hockey before the ink dried. In four seasons with Ottawa he has a combined 5 more points than he got in the single year he signed his contract. I like the Risto suggestion for the right price. Formenton's rights and Holden (paltry considering what the Flyers paid out to get him sure, but Holden alone has 4* the amount of points as Risto this season).

Dorion really underestimated the extent to which Zaitsev would be a problem. I've been saying since before the draft to get Zaitsev away from the team ASAP, and that he should never EVER have been at training camp, let alone on the starting roster. Now you've got an absolute bomb going off with this guy, in addition to a pissed off fan base, and a series of missed opportunities to mitigate the situation. Now, every time Dorion picks up the phone, it's not only all over the internet, but every GM in the NHL knows he's operating from a position of serious weakness. It's basically a fleecing waiting to happen.

My darkhorse bet in all of this is that you see them make a trade with PHI for Ristolainen... he just checks too many boxes, including being a big-body natural RHD in his late 20's on a stable long-term contract with no signing bonus $$$ or trade protection. Plus, he's fallen out of favour with his team, PHI is now rapidly dropping back to where they should be in the standings, and the Flyers would likely be open to a picks/prospects-heavy return.
- khawk

Yeah this looks like a guy you want to seriously overpay for. Finally getting rid of Zaitsev in just another year so why not bring in this guy for 5 years at 5m+ per year.

Logo of the Philadelphia FlyersPhiladelphia Flyers Rasmus Ristolainen Activated from IR
Oct. 17, 2022
Logo of the Philadelphia FlyersPhiladelphia Flyers Rasmus Ristolainen Injured Reserve Injury
Mar. 10, 2022
Logo of the Philadelphia FlyersPhiladelphia Flyers Rasmus Ristolainen Signed to Standard Contract
Feb. 21, 2022
Logo of the Philadelphia FlyersPhiladelphia Flyers Rasmus Ristolainen Activated from IR
Feb. 15, 2022
Logo of the Philadelphia FlyersPhiladelphia Flyers Rasmus Ristolainen Injured Reserve Injury
Jul. 23, 2021
Logo of the Philadelphia FlyersPhiladelphia Flyers Rasmus Ristolainen Traded from Buffalo Sabres ✔
Feb. 27, 2021
Logo of the Buffalo SabresBuffalo Sabres Rasmus Ristolainen Activated from Non-Roster
Feb. 22, 2021
Logo of the Buffalo SabresBuffalo Sabres Rasmus Ristolainen NHL Non-Roster
Nov. 24, 2017
Logo of the Buffalo SabresBuffalo Sabres Rasmus Ristolainen Activated from IR
Nov. 10, 2017
Logo of the Buffalo SabresBuffalo Sabres Rasmus Ristolainen Injured Reserve Injury
Mar. 29, 2017
Logo of the Buffalo SabresBuffalo Sabres Rasmus Ristolainen Activated from suspension
Mar. 23, 2017
Logo of the Buffalo SabresBuffalo Sabres Rasmus Ristolainen Suspended
Oct. 11, 2016
Logo of the Buffalo SabresBuffalo Sabres Rasmus Ristolainen Signed to Standard Contract
Jul. 12, 2013
Logo of the Buffalo SabresBuffalo Sabres Rasmus Ristolainen Signed to Entry-Level Contract
Jun. 30, 2013
Logo of the Buffalo SabresBuffalo Sabres Rasmus Ristolainen Drafted ✔

Practice in San Jose.
No Pinto or JBD on the ice.

Tkachuk Stützle Batherson
DeBrincat Brassard Giroux
Motte Gambrell Watson
Kelly Kastelic Joseph

Sanderson Hamonic
Brannstrom Zub
Holden Larsson

Dorion really underestimated the extent to which Zaitsev would be a problem. I've been saying since before the draft to get Zaitsev away from the team ASAP, and that he should never EVER have been at training camp, let alone on the starting roster. Now you've got an absolute bomb going off with this guy, in addition to a pissed off fan base, and a series of missed opportunities to mitigate the situation. Now, every time Dorion picks up the phone, it's not only all over the internet, but every GM in the NHL knows he's operating from a position of serious weakness. It's basically a fleecing waiting to happen.

My darkhorse bet in all of this is that you see them make a trade with PHI for Ristolainen... he just checks too many boxes, including being a big-body natural RHD in his late 20's on a stable long-term contract with no signing bonus $$$ or trade protection. Plus, he's fallen out of favour with his team, PHI is now rapidly dropping back to where they should be in the standings, and the Flyers would likely be open to a picks/prospects-heavy return.
- khawk

Great points on Zaitsev.....DJ wanting him in the lineup, tells you he isn't an NHL head coach. I mean, really....ask yourself this, would any other NHL team hire DJ if he was available? NO! So for anyone on here to say coaching isn't a problem....when 31 other NHL teams wouldn't have him leading their group, says it all!

Practice in San Jose.
No Pinto or JBD on the ice.

Tkachuk Stützle Batherson
DeBrincat Brassard Giroux
Motte Gambrell Watson
Kelly Kastelic Joseph

Sanderson Hamonic
Brannstrom Zub
Holden Larsson
- Kevin Francis

JBD out for month + with high ankle sprain, Pinto day to day lower body injury

Yeah this looks like a guy you want to seriously overpay for. Finally getting rid of Zaitsev in just another year so why not bring in this guy for 5 years at 5m+ per year.
- Whatisavailable

I didn't say it was a great idea... just a darkhorse scenario that I could see realistically coming to fruition vs. the nothing that has materialized so far. Regardless, it's interesting that you're so familiar with Ristolainen's injury history, when you persistently ignore the fact that Connor Brown is out with a major injury for 6 months when criticizing the team's roster decisions. Hint: That means it wasn't such a bad idea for Dorion to trade him.

JBD out for month + with high ankle sprain, Pinto day to day lower body injury
- Mithos

There have to be better options in Belleville than putting Watson on the 3rd line....my goodness!

There have to be better options in Belleville than putting Watson on the 3rd line....my goodness!
- Kevin Francis

Why not give Reinhardt or Sokolov a look on the RW of the 3rd line, cant hurt at this point, the team is getting no results with Watson there now on the 4th line, let alone the 3rd line.

I didn't say it was a great idea... just a darkhorse scenario that I could see realistically coming to fruition vs. the nothing that has materialized so far. Regardless, it's interesting that you're so familiar with Ristolainen's injury history, when you persistently ignore the fact that Connor Brown is out with a major injury for 6 months when criticizing the team's roster decisions. Hint: That means it wasn't such a bad idea for Dorion to trade him.
- khawk

Hint: If Brown was playing for Ottawa he wouldn't have been in the situation that got him injured so it still remains a stupid trade unless of course you now are claiming that Dorion is a clairvoyant and he foresaw that an injury was inevitable no matter where he played.

Why not give Reinhardt or Sokolov a look on the RW of the 3rd line, cant hurt at this point, the team is getting no results with Watson there now on the 4th line, let alone the 3rd line.
- Kevin Francis

Smith would rather cut off his own arm than play a prospect over an older guy. I like Watson but third line is a bit of a stretch.

Why not give Reinhardt or Sokolov a look on the RW of the 3rd line, cant hurt at this point, the team is getting no results with Watson there now on the 4th line, let alone the 3rd line.
- Kevin Francis

that makes too much sense, it is why it wont happen

Hint: If Brown was playing for Ottawa he wouldn't have been in the situation that got him injured so it still remains a stupid trade unless of course you now are claiming that Dorion is a clairvoyant and he foresaw that an injury was inevitable no matter where he played.
- Whatisavailable

So you honestly think major sports injuries are the result of a single play? Were it a concussion that might be the case, but not injuries that require major joint/ACL surgery. That's like saying that Norris would have been just fine if he hadn't taken that one faceoff. Also, there's no way that playing 3min/GP less in WSH actually made him more likely to be injured than playing 20min/GP in Ottawa. So give your head a shake, man, and accept that just maybe getting rid of Brown wasn't a mistake. I'm not saying Dorion knew an injury was coming, but any player in the final year of his contract with no interest in signing long-term is an asset you need to move before the clock runs out. Dorion just happened to do it before he lost all of his value.