Kevin Francis: Sens worst 5 losses of the season!

Strange coaching decisions and lack of interest in the game are common themes in these loses. There were a lot of frustrating loses. Hard to pick 5!

It's been a pleasure watching the playoffs with well coached teams and players giving it everything they have. Hopefully Dorion and co are watching and understanding what is required to be competitive.

Strange coaching decisions and lack of interest in the game are common themes in these loses. There were a lot of frustrating loses. Hard to pick 5!

It's been a pleasure watching the playoffs with well coached teams and players giving it everything they have. Hopefully Dorion and co are watching and understanding what is required to be competitive.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

Strange is a good word for your head coach. Or how about inept or bizarre lol? Capping NHL games all season, I can tell you this, there are many betting boards that have angles on playing against your head coach, no kidding here. He might be the most silent man behind an NHL bench, which for Ottawa fans should be alarming. Not that many Ottawa fans probably don't realize this already, but I am telling you there are boards that break down what coaches to play against due to how little they do when it comes to in-game adjustments. With Ontario having online sports betting now, you can bet in-game too, your coach is money to bet against once Ottawa trails. I could write a novel on him after what people from around North America post on these boards. Please don't fire him, he keeps making too many of us money lol.

When the Sens hired DJ Smith, they also interviewed Jacques Martin, Rick Bowness, Patrick Roy, Troy Mann, Nate Leaman and Marc Crawford. At the time Bowness and Martin were relegated to AC duties after losing HC gigs. The lack of marquee names here strikes, and even though Dorion at the time took offense to the suggestion that hiring Smith would save the team money, looking at this slate clearly indicates money influences decision-making. DJ came in preaching defensive accountability, which is great... But you can't say that and then ice Zaitsev for 20+ minutes a night, which he was roundly criticized for from all hockey circles. I don't think you necessarily need to have oodles of experience to be good at this job, but at the same time if the paycheck is low and the on ice product is mediocre, the leash should be short.

Yes, this team is not yet a powerhouse and you play with the cards you are dealt, but when you keep losing hands you need to take risks, be dynamic and try different things. Anything, really. My main issue with this coach is when the season was clearly lost, he played it conservatively and played into the rut he was comfortable with, rather than continually throwing things into a blender to see what might stick come next season. He might fare better with new players, but it is worrisome that this team gets better simply by adding nothing and removing certain players from the lineup.

Maybe the shutout loss to florida at the end of the year when florida benched most of the roster?

Maybe the shutout loss to florida at the end of the year when florida benched most of the roster?
- Shynes57

I remember betting on that game, Sens hurt me on that one, but take a look at their goofy coach.

Strange coaching decisions and lack of interest in the game are common themes in these loses. There were a lot of frustrating loses. Hard to pick 5!

It's been a pleasure watching the playoffs with well coached teams and players giving it everything they have. Hopefully Dorion and co are watching and understanding what is required to be competitive.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

A good coach grabs a few wins a year that you have business winning, but this coach does the opposite, he finds a new way to lose games due to lineup decisions and zero ingame adjustments.

Great point on how the 16 teams in the playoffs are there for a reason, one of them being great coaching.

When the Sens hired DJ Smith, they also interviewed Jacques Martin, Rick Bowness, Patrick Roy, Troy Mann, Nate Leaman and Marc Crawford. At the time Bowness and Martin were relegated to AC duties after losing HC gigs. The lack of marquee names here strikes, and even though Dorion at the time took offense to the suggestion that hiring Smith would save the team money, looking at this slate clearly indicates money influences decision-making. DJ came in preaching defensive accountability, which is great... But you can't say that and then ice Zaitsev for 20+ minutes a night, which he was roundly criticized for from all hockey circles. I don't think you necessarily need to have oodles of experience to be good at this job, but at the same time if the paycheck is low and the on ice product is mediocre, the leash should be short.

Yes, this team is not yet a powerhouse and you play with the cards you are dealt, but when you keep losing hands you need to take risks, be dynamic and try different things. Anything, really. My main issue with this coach is when the season was clearly lost, he played it conservatively and played into the rut he was comfortable with, rather than continually throwing things into a blender to see what might stick come next season. He might fare better with new players, but it is worrisome that this team gets better simply by adding nothing and removing certain players from the lineup.
- Bartacus

Very interesting point you bring up about who the candidates were. I remember when they hired Guy Boucher, how Bruce Boudreau expressed how disappointed he was that he didn't get the Sens HC job at the time. It's almost like they bring in coaching candidates to hear what others are saying about their org and then go on their way when they weren't ever a serious candidate for the job.

Strange is a good word for your head coach. Or how about inept or bizarre lol? Capping NHL games all season, I can tell you this, there are many betting boards that have angles on playing against your head coach, no kidding here. He might be the most silent man behind an NHL bench, which for Ottawa fans should be alarming. Not that many Ottawa fans probably don't realize this already, but I am telling you there are boards that break down what coaches to play against due to how little they do when it comes to in-game adjustments. With Ontario having online sports betting now, you can bet in-game too, your coach is money to bet against once Ottawa trails. I could write a novel on him after what people from around North America post on these boards. Please don't fire him, he keeps making too many of us money lol.
- PuckPix

I sit here looking at the list of wins and losses from last year and all I cant help but doing is think of how many games were lost due to poor coaching in every aspect of the word. So many points left on the table as the say.

A good coach grabs a few wins a year that you have business winning, but this coach does the opposite, he finds a new way to lose games due to lineup decisions and zero ingame adjustments.

Great point on how the 16 teams in the playoffs are there for a reason, one of them being great coaching.
- LawyerSens4Life

My question to you as a Sens fan is how on earth does Ottawa not look at making themselves better at the head coach position by looking at the incredible pool of available head coaches?

I sit here looking at the list of wins and losses from last year and all I cant help but doing is think of how many games were lost due to poor coaching in every aspect of the word. So many points left on the table as the say.
- LawyerSens4Life

Oh did your coach ever blow games due to in game management and a variety of other reasons. But when you are consistently in the bottom five of the NHL standings, there's a reason that is the case, incompetent GM and HC. Please leave these two fools in their positions so us bettors can keep winning money next season.

Any one have stats how many times DJ asked for a call to be reviewed and how many times the Sens got burned? It seemed like a lot. It was infuriating. It happened a lot when they Sens were already on the PK or just finished a PK. It's like he wanted to get more PK time or something. It was just weird.

Any one have stats how many times DJ asked for a call to be reviewed and how many times the Sens got burned? It seemed like a lot. It was infuriating. It happened a lot when they Sens were already on the PK or just finished a PK. It's like he wanted to get more PK time or something. It was just weird.
- PogBoi

I will try to find a site that gives that info. I am sure anyone a fan of any team would like to know that info. Great point.

I could be completely wrong, but I thought he did well on his challenges. Or 50% at least.

My three biggest issues with this doorknob:

1. Not stupid - JUST PLAIN STUBBORN personnel decisions. As if the man feels he knows the team better than us (he should, and THINKS he does) and continues to put people in situations where they will not succeed. All the while others who are better at that position are buried in the minors or in the press box. OR that those others are young developing talented players who need the experience in what is clearly another losing season.

2."Giving up home-ice advantage". I lost count how many times I watched this guy send out his 3rd or 4th line against the opponents top line. I'm sure PuckPix has a stat line here but like....key KEY moment draws in their own end with last change - bozo throws out the 4th line. Or the 3rd line???? WHAT ARE YOU DOING!!!!?

3. Goalies are strange cats. Every single one of them. A good goalie coach is a buffer between them and the head coach. Somehow this coach managed to piss off or confuse all of the goalies he used during the season. NONE of them wanted to play for him. None of them knew who was going to play next (even Forsberg). No doubt he probably believe keeping them on their toes in this manner was excellent coaching..heck it worked in Jr.B. No sir. Not here. These men are making MILLIONS. Figure it out.

I could be completely wrong, but I thought he did well on his challenges. Or 50% at least.

My three biggest issues with this doorknob:

1. Not stupid - JUST PLAIN STUBBORN personnel decisions. As if the man feels he knows the team better than us (he should, and THINKS he does) and continues to put people in situations where they will not succeed. All the while others who are better at that position are buried in the minors or in the press box. OR that those others are young developing talented players who need the experience in what is clearly another losing season.

2."Giving up home-ice advantage". I lost count how many times I watched this guy send out his 3rd or 4th line against the opponents top line. I'm sure PuckPix has a stat line here but like....key KEY moment draws in their own end with last change - bozo throws out the 4th line. Or the 3rd line???? WHAT ARE YOU DOING!!!!?

3. Goalies are strange cats. Every single one of them. A good goalie coach is a buffer between them and the head coach. Somehow this coach managed to piss off or confuse all of the goalies he used during the season. NONE of them wanted to play for him. None of them knew who was going to play next (even Forsberg). No doubt he probably believe keeping them on their toes in this manner was excellent coaching..heck it worked in Jr.B. No sir. Not here. These men are making MILLIONS. Figure it out.
- Octavarium

I wish I had stats in regards to your 2nd comment but I can take it a step further, with ingame live betting bigger than playing a side before puckdrop, due to your coaches inept coaching ability, I can say this and I have seen it on other message boards, how many people won a ton of cash betting simply against DJ in game. Like you said, have you ever seen a coach lose last line change on homeice the way he does? Those are major alarm bells for any fan let alone someone betting on the game. But sharp bettors will stay on a team when they see a coach getting lit up the way he does in game.

I could be completely wrong, but I thought he did well on his challenges. Or 50% at least.
- Octavarium

I could be completely wrong too. I only saw maybe about 20 games this season. It just seemed the majority of time Sens got a penalty when a call was challenged. I'd even like to see where Sens were in challenging calls compared to other teams.

Bruins fired Bruce Cassidy, another coach that OTT could go after because they currently do not have a NHL coach

Bruins fired Bruce Cassidy, another coach that OTT could go after because they currently do not have a NHL coach
- Mithos

IF OTTAWA DOENT GO AFTER CASSIDY THEY ARENT SERIOUS ABOUT WINNING, PLAIN AND SIMPLE! THEY PAID MCGUIRE TO GO AWAY AT 500K PER YEAR, DJ MAKES 775K!

I could be completely wrong too. I only saw maybe about 20 games this season. It just seemed the majority of time Sens got a penalty when a call was challenged. I'd even like to see where Sens were in challenging calls compared to other teams.
- PogBoi

It was even worse when he would challenge a call down 5 on 4, then incorrect it put Ottawa down 5 on 3! But I wish there was a tracker for this.

Strange coaching decisions and lack of interest in the game are common themes in these loses. There were a lot of frustrating loses. Hard to pick 5!

It's been a pleasure watching the playoffs with well coached teams and players giving it everything they have. Hopefully Dorion and co are watching and understanding what is required to be competitive.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

Without a doubt, watching the playoffs makes you realize how DJ is sooo out of his league as an NHL head coach, it's actually quite alarming. More than I thought because everything is more magnified with just 16 teams and you are able to just see the best of the best.

Maybe the shutout loss to florida at the end of the year when florida benched most of the roster?
- Shynes57

I could have a had a top 10 list it was that bad this year, with Ottawa losing games they had no business losing! But I totally could've had that loss in the top 5.

I could be completely wrong, but I thought he did well on his challenges. Or 50% at least.

My three biggest issues with this doorknob:

1. Not stupid - JUST PLAIN STUBBORN personnel decisions. As if the man feels he knows the team better than us (he should, and THINKS he does) and continues to put people in situations where they will not succeed. All the while others who are better at that position are buried in the minors or in the press box. OR that those others are young developing talented players who need the experience in what is clearly another losing season.

2."Giving up home-ice advantage". I lost count how many times I watched this guy send out his 3rd or 4th line against the opponents top line. I'm sure PuckPix has a stat line here but like....key KEY moment draws in their own end with last change - bozo throws out the 4th line. Or the 3rd line???? WHAT ARE YOU DOING!!!!?

3. Goalies are strange cats. Every single one of them. A good goalie coach is a buffer between them and the head coach. Somehow this coach managed to piss off or confuse all of the goalies he used during the season. NONE of them wanted to play for him. None of them knew who was going to play next (even Forsberg). No doubt he probably believe keeping them on their toes in this manner was excellent coaching..heck it worked in Jr.B. No sir. Not here. These men are making MILLIONS. Figure it out.
- Octavarium

The deployment of the goalie situation was flat out awful, he cost this team wins this season just by this one accept! How he handled vets and the young kids was baffling at times, like how didn't PD or PM, or his asst coaches all tell him he 's making big mistakes with his lineup decisions, icetime decisions was even more maddening at times!!!

Like you said, his line matching was comical to say the least. He couldn't recognize when a player was having a great night, when any coach would give him more TOI. Or to flip it, if a player was struggling, stop allowing him to make the same mistakes over and over, hurting the teams chances of winning. Even worse, not getting the most out of a players strengths, bizarre.

When the Sens hired DJ Smith, they also interviewed Jacques Martin, Rick Bowness, Patrick Roy, Troy Mann, Nate Leaman and Marc Crawford. At the time Bowness and Martin were relegated to AC duties after losing HC gigs. The lack of marquee names here strikes, and even though Dorion at the time took offense to the suggestion that hiring Smith would save the team money, looking at this slate clearly indicates money influences decision-making. DJ came in preaching defensive accountability, which is great... But you can't say that and then ice Zaitsev for 20+ minutes a night, which he was roundly criticized for from all hockey circles. I don't think you necessarily need to have oodles of experience to be good at this job, but at the same time if the paycheck is low and the on ice product is mediocre, the leash should be short.

Yes, this team is not yet a powerhouse and you play with the cards you are dealt, but when you keep losing hands you need to take risks, be dynamic and try different things. Anything, really. My main issue with this coach is when the season was clearly lost, he played it conservatively and played into the rut he was comfortable with, rather than continually throwing things into a blender to see what might stick come next season. He might fare better with new players, but it is worrisome that this team gets better simply by adding nothing and removing certain players from the lineup.
- Bartacus

When you look at this list, Mann was nowhere near as ready as he's now for an NHL head coaching gig. I beyond see this being his last year coaching in the AHL, so Ottawa better not alone him to walk, promote him to being an Asst. He would be great with this group, considering he has done so much for the development of the youngsters. Crawford got the token interview as he finished the last 15 games or so as HC. Bowness was an odd one though as he was basically a career NHL asst. coach. Martin was ready and wanted back to being the big dog behind the bench. Patrick Roy would have been an interesting hire for sure, but better than DJ! The quality of this list reflects PD, a guy in over his head.

A good coach grabs a few wins a year that you have business winning, but this coach does the opposite, he finds a new way to lose games due to lineup decisions and zero ingame adjustments.

Great point on how the 16 teams in the playoffs are there for a reason, one of them being great coaching.
- LawyerSens4Life

Can you imagine what a great coach would squeeze out of this roster?! I agree, a good coach grabs 3-4 wins a year that you probably shouldn't have won. But the coach also doesn't hurt your teams chances of winning games, by blowing those games due to horrible coaching decisions.

Strange is a good word for your head coach. Or how about inept or bizarre lol? Capping NHL games all season, I can tell you this, there are many betting boards that have angles on playing against your head coach, no kidding here. He might be the most silent man behind an NHL bench, which for Ottawa fans should be alarming. Not that many Ottawa fans probably don't realize this already, but I am telling you there are boards that break down what coaches to play against due to how little they do when it comes to in-game adjustments. With Ontario having online sports betting now, you can bet in-game too, your coach is money to bet against once Ottawa trails. I could write a novel on him after what people from around North America post on these boards. Please don't fire him, he keeps making too many of us money lol.
- PuckPix

DJ's biggest issue all year was ZERO in-game adjustments and not icing the best lineup capable of winning games. It's all about putting players into a position to succeed, he failed miserably at that too.