My favorite was the "some of the better players feel like they were singled out too much" part of the excuse.

So basically MaClean shouldn't have tried to get Karlsson playing semi decent defense or Bobby "sleepy skater intense isn't in his vocabulary" Ryan to try to score at a better than 16 goals a year pace.

My favorite was the "some of the better players feel like they were singled out too much" part of the excuse.

So basically MaClean shouldn't have tried to get Karlsson playing semi decent defense or Bobby "sleepy skater intense isn't in his vocabulary" Ryan to try to score at a better than 16 goals a year pace.
- noffsin6

This is it - to say that the coach is to demanding no wonder they hired Melnyk's boy.

Maclean has also said "This team has to many excuses' and Murray's press conference seemed like on giant excuse

Oh god.

If Chris Neil ever becomes an NHL coach I think it would be time to burn down the entire league and start again...
- lumlums

I'm not sure that the GM job in Ottawa is nearly as attractive as the job in Buffalo right now. That's not a shot at Ottawa either, it's about the resources Murray has available to himself in Buffalo. They're absolutely loaded with high draft picks, they've got a bunch of decent prospects, and an owner willing to spend to the cap. I don't see what Ottawa could offer to pry him away from that.
- Jeffmt

LOL... that's a pile of poop. I'm not buying that one bit. Top picks don't mean much, its the current roster that appeals more to a head coach and GM. Ottawa is still a team with a lot more potential than Buffalo, and better top end talent and goal tending. That being said, NO, i don't think Tim Murray will be asked to become GM of the Ottawa Senators. I think the move Ottawa needs to make is to try to reach out to Paul Martin, he was a great head coach and had a good defensive team. We let him go because of poor playoff performances, but those were subject to many variables, sometimes hard to point fingers at the coach. At least Martin, consistently brought the team to the playoffs year in year out.

They specifically said he is not an interim coach.
- noffsin6

they also said they'd re-work his contract in the offseason.....either way, there's no guarantee he's the coach beyond this year. if he doesn't do well, i doubt he'll be the coach next year.

Sign Bylsma now!
- Barnaby36

ONLY way I put up with this F***ing crap

The TSN 1200 cannot tolerate a single critic of Bryan Murray - they went so far as to say the Captain doesn't have a leadership impact on the team to the extent fans beleive

REEL IT IN MENDES - get off the sauce, just be honest with what is on the ice. This team since Alfioe left has had zero grit and absolutely no accountability on the 20 players that wear the sweaters every night - certainly not from the GM or Spezza or Karlsson.

-MacLean seemed to become the guy whose crap didn't stink
-I didn't like the way he handled the goaltending duo right from the start
-I don't think he gave the Spezza-Ryan a legitimate chance
- quirks were cute at first, but there was no depth to his thinking

- JaredCrozier

Jared, I think you and I are going to get along just fine

it seems to me that EVERYONE around this team on a regular basis (players, media, management) are the least bit surprised by this move.

Dean Brown ‏@PxPOttawa 4h4 hours ago

Nobody who covers this team is surprised at all by this.

Dean Brown ‏@PxPOttawa 3h3 hours ago

@J_Anthony_Power disconnect with ownership, managment, players and media. Alienated himself from almost everyone.

every player interviewed gave the cliche statements, but none of them were surprised.

it seems to me that EVERYONE around this team on a regular basis (players, media, management) are the least bit surprised by this move.





every player interviewed gave the cliche statements, but none of them were surprised.
- sensarmy_11

I think this is the people around the team protecting Murray and Melnyk and trying not to let it get negative - seems to be like it's the same Hamster wheel.

Reading from the fans I think they are angry but listening to the people around the team they are trying to deflect it all back on Maclean.

I know what a winning franchise looks like and it's not this. This is a team full of excuses, from the top down and they are good at making them - but I think the fans are sick of it

LOL... that's a pile of poop. I'm not buying that one bit. Top picks don't mean much, its the current roster that appeals more to a head coach and GM. Ottawa is still a team with a lot more potential than Buffalo, and better top end talent and goal tending. That being said, NO, i don't think Tim Murray will be asked to become GM of the Ottawa Senators. I think the move Ottawa needs to make is to try to reach out to Paul Martin, he was a great head coach and had a good defensive team. We let him go because of poor playoff performances, but those were subject to many variables, sometimes hard to point fingers at the coach. At least Martin, consistently brought the team to the playoffs year in year out.
- PtotheY

Jacques? If so no thanks. Don't think he's the fit for Ottawa.

On the other point of our post, I htink there is a lot to the argument Murray might rather stay in buffalo. As was mentioned they've got good prospects, and they'll likely get a great pick this year, being the GM to work with Macdavid or Eichel would be a lot of fun.
Thats not a shot at Ottawas prospects either.

No internal cap.

Likely more leeway from ownership who've committed to the rebuild.

No melnyk.

I disagree with decision to fire MacLean. Teams can only handle so much change, the cost of multiple dislocations of the overall team game plan only trivializes the importance of stability in a good franchise. Everyone learns to just turn it down if you don't like the way the coach spoke in a stern manner. Each time you give up and change, it makes it easier to do the next time.

I fear Cameroon may be doomed to the same fate as MacLean.

The Islanders stuck with the same coach through ups and downs when many were calling for a change. But the Islanders after years of futility finally got some stability by staying with the same guy for 4 years. The Sens are starting again. I, for one, am not happy.

I think this is the people around the team protecting Murray and Melnyk and trying not to let it get negative - seems to be like it's the same Hamster wheel.

Reading from the fans I think they are angry but listening to the people around the team they are trying to deflect it all back on Maclean.

I know what a winning franchise looks like and it's not this. This is a team full of excuses, from the top down and they are good at making them - but I think the fans are sick of it
- tuna99

fans have NO IDEA what is actually going on with this team......i'm more inclined to believe someone like Dean.....who isn't paid by melnyk and has no reason to lie......then a bunch of fans who are just guessing. pretty much everyone actually associated with the team, media, or hockey in general seem to think this was going to happen, and needed to happen.

i don't think anyone is saying this is a good team without maclean.......but it also wasn't a good team with him, and he didn't have the respect of the men playing for him.....when that happens, it's time for the coach to go, simple as that.

I think this is the people around the team protecting Murray and Melnyk and trying not to let it get negative - seems to be like it's the same Hamster wheel.

Reading from the fans I think they are angry but listening to the people around the team they are trying to deflect it all back on Maclean.

I know what a winning franchise looks like and it's not this. This is a team full of excuses, from the top down and they are good at making them - but I think the fans are sick of it
- tuna99

I don't know if you're Maclean's brother with a crappier moustache or something, but I am not sure why you are ranting so hard. How are you surprised by the result of the last season or two? We are rebuilding here not challenging for the Stanley Cup. The road will not be smooth 100% of the time. Name a rebuild that was. I certainly don't agree every move this team is right, but we do have a good collection of young players to go forward with. There are missing parts for sure, but that is what is filled in at the end of rebuilds. Is coaching the problem? Maybe not? Are their other problems then coaching? Certainly are. You can only address so many at one time. If no one around the team was surprised by the move to fire Maclean, I think that means it was time to move on. Us fans aren't in the room. We don't know the whole story. Rebuilds suck. They are slow and you loose a lot in the beginning, but you hope it's worth it in the end.

fans have NO IDEA what is actually going on with this team......i'm more inclined to believe someone like Dean.....who isn't paid by melnyk and has no reason to lie......then a bunch of fans who are just guessing. pretty much everyone actually associated with the team, media, or hockey in general seem to think this was going to happen, and needed to happen.

i don't think anyone is saying this is a good team without maclean.......but it also wasn't a good team with him, and he didn't have the respect of the men playing for him.....when that happens, it's time for the coach to go, simple as that.
- sensarmy_11

I've just heard of so many succesful coaches that have had players hate them - Babcok, Bowman, Hitchcok, Martin, Carlyle - it seems the message coming out now is that the coach was hard on his players

This comes down to management to me - you don't have to like your coach or even the fellow players on your team to have good communication - ask any former player.

I know they aren't surprised because I think management is super soft and wants to be friends with the players instead of being hard on them - and the hard decisions aren't there, and you see Murray wanting to keep friendly terms - he signs Phillips, Michalek, all the vets and it's BS.

I just don't like the excuses coming from the team. Seems like there are so many excuses right now and so many internal favours - seriously naming Dave Cameron, this guys is on ZERO NHL teams radars as a head coach.

I've just heard of so many succesful coaches that have had players hate them - Babcok, Bowman, Hitchcok, Martin, Carlyle - it seems the message coming out now is that the coach was hard on his players

This comes down to management to me - you don't have to like your coach or even the fellow players on your team to have good communication - ask any former player.

I know they aren't surprised because I think management is super soft and wants to be friends with the players instead of being hard on them - and the hard decisions aren't there, and you see Murray wanting to keep friendly terms - he signs Phillips, Michalek, all the vets and it's BS.

I just don't like the excuses coming from the team. Seems like there are so many excuses right now and so many internal favours - seriously naming Dave Cameron, this guys is on ZERO NHL teams radars as a head coach.
- tuna99

dude, you're talking out of your ass SOOOOOOOOO bad, it's starting to get ridiculous. you're completely speculating on everything, but have nothing to base any of your opinions on.

and for the record, paul maclean was on pretty much nobody's radar when he was hired, and you're defending HIM like he was Babcock.

I've just heard of so many succesful coaches that have had players hate them - Babcok, Bowman, Hitchcok, Martin, Carlyle - it seems the message coming out now is that the coach was hard on his players

This comes down to management to me - you don't have to like your coach or even the fellow players on your team to have good communication - ask any former player.

I know they aren't surprised because I think management is super soft and wants to be friends with the players instead of being hard on them - and the hard decisions aren't there, and you see Murray wanting to keep friendly terms - he signs Phillips, Michalek, all the vets and it's BS.

I just don't like the excuses coming from the team. Seems like there are so many excuses right now and so many internal favours - seriously naming Dave Cameron, this guys is on ZERO NHL teams radars as a head coach.
- tuna99

All those guys are great coaches, but were also fired from teams they had success with. Sometimes a formula just doesn't work anymore and you have to move on. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. Remains to be seen how it will work here in Ottawa. I wouldn't write off the move so quickly. I'm not sold on Cameron, but we shall see.

I've just heard of so many succesful coaches that have had players hate them - Babcok, Bowman, Hitchcok, Martin, Carlyle - it seems the message coming out now is that the coach was hard on his players

This comes down to management to me - you don't have to like your coach or even the fellow players on your team to have good communication - ask any former player.

I know they aren't surprised because I think management is super soft and wants to be friends with the players instead of being hard on them - and the hard decisions aren't there, and you see Murray wanting to keep friendly terms - he signs Phillips, Michalek, all the vets and it's BS.

I just don't like the excuses coming from the team. Seems like there are so many excuses right now and so many internal favours - seriously naming Dave Cameron, this guys is on ZERO NHL teams radars as a head coach.
- tuna99

there is also a big difference between having a couple of players not like you.......and losing an entire lockerroom, which seems to have been the case in ottawa.

there is also a big difference between not liking a guy, and not buying into his system or his message. i HATED some of my coaches when i was younger, they were giant bumholes.......didn't mean i didn't play hard for them, or think they were good coaches.

there is also a big difference between having a couple of players not like you.......and losing an entire lockerroom, which seems to have been the case in ottawa.

there is also a big difference between not liking a guy, and not buying into his system or his message. i HATED some of my coaches when i was younger, they were giant bumholes.......didn't mean i didn't play hard for them, or think they were good coaches.
- sensarmy_11

That's hwy Murray has to go - if your coach tells you to do it harder and then you go upstairs to the GM and say the coach is being mean to me - how is that coach supposed to coach.

Look at the big picture - every coach Murray has hired has been undermined. Why?
It;s because the owner wants to run the team like a country club and the GM wants all his players to like him and think he's swell.

What Ottawa should do:

NEW GM - Ray Shero [executive of the year 2012-2013]

NEW Coach - Dan Byslma [Jack Adams 2010-2011]

What Ottawa will do: Hire Luke Richardson and Dorion

WTF / Why this owner and GM is F***ed in the head:

http://www.nhl.com/ice/page.htm?id=24929

someone read the top two names on that list. Maybe Roy gets canned in 1year

dude, you're talking out of your ass SOOOOOOOOO bad, it's starting to get ridiculous. you're completely speculating on everything, but have nothing to base any of your opinions on.

and for the record, paul maclean was on pretty much nobody's radar when he was hired, and you're defending HIM like he was Babcock.
- sensarmy_11

Oh, hello

A bit like you re: Jared Cowen and blueliner assessment and deployment then, eh?

Only kidding...(50%)

>>>>> SENS letting Alfie walking and trading for Ryan is right beside letting Chara walk as the biggest F**k up potentially. <<<<<

>>> Sens have never made the playoffs without Alfie. Team has no leader ON THE ICE. That's the problem. And they keep rotating these coaches <<<

there is also a big difference between having a couple of players not like you.......and losing an entire lockerroom, which seems to have been the case in ottawa.

there is also a big difference between not liking a guy, and not buying into his system or his message. i HATED some of my coaches when i was younger, they were giant bumholes.......didn't mean i didn't play hard for them, or think they were good coaches.
- sensarmy_11

I think you make a fair point here. I'm not sure it was the entire group, but it was obviously bad enough. And whether or not it got a bit better at the end, it was still way too late.

>>>>> SENS letting Alfie walking and trading for Ryan is right beside letting Chara walk as the biggest F**k up potentially. <<<<<

>>> Sens have never made the playoffs without Alfie. Team has no leader ON THE ICE. That's the problem. And they keep rotating these coaches <<<
- AlfieisKing

Alfie is retired now. We would have been missing his leadership just the same, and would probably just have been that much further away from replacing what he brought.

That's hwy Murray has to go - if your coach tells you to do it harder and then you go upstairs to the GM and say the coach is being mean to me - how is that coach supposed to coach.

Look at the big picture - every coach Murray has hired has been undermined. Why?
It;s because the owner wants to run the team like a country club and the GM wants all his players to like him and think he's swell.
- tuna99

They're not running up and saying the coach is being mean lol. Murray holds meetings with all members of the team when there's a problem, that's what managers do. And he doesn't fire a coach based on that either. There was obviously a deep issue with Paul MacLean and his role on the team.

As for Murray, he has to go...dude, he's on the way out. Part of his management role now is succession planning, and based on his health, that succession is coming. This will be his last season as GM, that's 99.9% guaranteed. And how often do you see a new GM arrive at a mediocre team and retain the coach? Basically never.

So MacLean could go now, or at the end of the year when the new GM takes over, but one way or the other, he was as good as gone.

Hopefully the team will play more entertaining hockey for the rest of the year, because for the past 18 months under MacLean, they've been as boring as s**t.

You need to take a deep breath and let this play out. See how they play under Cameron. And the trades are coming, and sooner than later.