Man. Murray having a brilliant press conference. He is so passionate about this team. He is selling me that this was a better move than a bad move.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

I agree! And I didn't think I would before I listened to it. But especially the second part of the presser was fantastic - the part that starts with BM saying something like: "I think what happened last night was...it was one of our better games, no question. The good thing that happened for us: we got behind 3-0. We forgot about all the rules, structure and everything. We just went and played hockey."

I guess this pretty much captures everything that was wrong with PM the last two seasons. He was so focused on getting players to buy into the system and executing that he forgot about the social and mental aspects of coaching. The players became parts of a large machinery that was malfunctioning and needed to be tweaked. Add to that the doublespeak of "best players play" etc. and this was never going to end in a good way.

I'm not thrilled about the timing though. This should have been done by the end of last season (certainly not now when players were FINALLY responding and adapting to the preacher). And the bad coaching was aggrevated by non-smart management:

Resigning Phillips (with a NTC)
Resigning Michalek (with a NTC).
Resigning Greening (with a NTC), tripling his annual salary after being arguably the worst player on the roster that year.
Adding an aging centerman (Legwand) and a fringe winger (Chiasson). And nothing on the back end.

And then calling this a "competitive team" at the beginning of the season. That was baffling.

But if a terminally ill man like BM still manages to be enthusistic about the future of this team, then I guess we should hear him out.

Hockey Canada seemed excited to be working with Dave Cameron and the St Mikes Majors never had a losing season with him at the helm. Any chance Bryan Murray sees something in him too? He is supposed to be a brilliant tactician, responsible to a fault, and supports and mentors young teams all the way to Calder cups...So he doesn't have an NHL pedigree..Yet. He should be tailor-made for this job especially with Bryan Murray helping him navigate.
I think we give him the shot he's earned....Then vilify him later when the tightwad owner sells him out

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.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

i agree with all of this.

also, bringing in cameron is zero risk. at this point, nobody expects anything from this team. if they succeed, bonus, if they don't then you re-examine the coach in the offseason

Hockey Canada seemed excited to be working with Dave Cameron and the St Mikes Majors never had a losing season with him at the helm. Any chance Bryan Murray sees something in him too? He is supposed to be a brilliant tactician, responsible to a fault, and supports and mentors young teams all the way to Calder cups...So he doesn't have an NHL pedigree..Yet. He should be tailor-made for this job especially with Bryan Murray helping him navigate.
I think we give him the shot he's earned....Then vilify him later when the tightwad owner sells him out
- ktownfan

i agree with all of this.

also, bringing in cameron is zero risk. at this point, nobody expects anything from this team. if they succeed, bonus, if they don't then you re-examine the coach in the offseason
- sensarmy_11

The only good thing that can come from this is a top 3 pick or the playoffs - anything else is a disappointment.

I think Cameron is the wrong hire but when I wake up tomorrow morning Ill be in his corner to win and get us to the playoffs - or lose 20 in a row and get us Eichel or Mcdavid.

I think Cameron ends up being a footnote to this team like Hartsburg was - but I;m hoping for the best

I agree! And I didn't think I would before I listened to it. But especially the second part of the presser was fantastic - the part that starts with BM saying something like: "I think what happened last night was...it was one of our better games, no question. The good thing that happened for us: we got behind 3-0. We forgot about all the rules, structure and everything. We just went and played hockey."

I guess this pretty much captures everything that was wrong with PM the last two seasons. He was so focused on getting players to buy into the system and executing that he forgot about the social and mental aspects of coaching. The players became parts of a large machinery that was malfunctioning and needed to be tweaked. Add to that the doublespeak of "best players play" etc. and this was never going to end in a good way.

I'm not thrilled about the timing though. This should have been done by the end of last season (certainly not now when players were FINALLY responding and adapting to the preacher). And the bad coaching was aggrevated by non-smart management:

Resigning Phillips (with a NTC)
Resigning Michalek (with a NTC).
Resigning Greening (with a NTC), tripling his annual salary after being arguably the worst player on the roster that year.
Adding an aging centerman (Legwand) and a fringe winger (Chiasson). And nothing on the back end.

And then calling this a "competitive team" at the beginning of the season. That was baffling.

But if a terminally ill man like BM still manages to be enthusistic about the future of this team, then I guess we should hear him out.
- Fjodor

totally agree with all of this. well put.

The only good thing that can come from this is a top 3 pick or the playoffs - anything else is a disappointment.

I think Cameron is the wrong hire but when I wake up tomorrow morning Ill be in his corner to win and get us to the playoffs - or lose 20 in a row and get us Eichel or Mcdavid.

I think Cameron ends up being a footnote to this team like Hartsburg was - but I;m hoping for the best
- tuna99

...and so the revolving door of coaches continues under this era.

I agree! And I didn't think I would before I listened to it. But especially the second part of the presser was fantastic - the part that starts with BM saying something like: "I think what happened last night was...it was one of our better games, no question. The good thing that happened for us: we got behind 3-0. We forgot about all the rules, structure and everything. We just went and played hockey."

I guess this pretty much captures everything that was wrong with PM the last two seasons. He was so focused on getting players to buy into the system and executing that he forgot about the social and mental aspects of coaching. The players became parts of a large machinery that was malfunctioning and needed to be tweaked. Add to that the doublespeak of "best players play" etc. and this was never going to end in a good way.

I'm not thrilled about the timing though. This should have been done by the end of last season (certainly not now when players were FINALLY responding and adapting to the preacher). And the bad coaching was aggrevated by non-smart management:

Resigning Phillips (with a NTC)
Resigning Michalek (with a NTC).
Resigning Greening (with a NTC), tripling his annual salary after being arguably the worst player on the roster that year.
Adding an aging centerman (Legwand) and a fringe winger (Chiasson). And nothing on the back end.

And then calling this a "competitive team" at the beginning of the season. That was baffling.

But if a terminally ill man like BM still manages to be enthusistic about the future of this team, then I guess we should hear him out.
- Fjodor

Good post. That is the part of the presser that impressed me too. It's refreshing to finally hear someone in the organization tell us how they are playing and how they can be better. It wasn't full of cliches. He used real examples. There were points where he said he and the team may have made some mistakes and overestimations. Again, refreshing to hear. I haven't been a fan of several of Murray's signings (the ones you listed), but I do appreciate the honesty he showed today. He demonstrated a commitment to get better. One of the first ways to do that is with the coach.

I don't hold it against Murray for saying we had a competitive team before the season started. He's trying to motivate the team and demonstrate a faith in the players and coaches. The fans who bought that and are now upset with where the team are at should become more educated on the game.

I wouldn't be surprised if a trade was made in the next few weeks. We are in a rebuild but there are moves that can be made now to help this team in the long run.

Ya ya ya, Murray is a genius except for the fact that his teams under perform every year
- tuna99

When they took #1 seeded Rangers to 7 games they under performed?

When they took out the Habs in 5 and lost to the Pens in the second round they under performed?

Put the (frank)ing glue stick away. I hate to break it you but the Sens we're not projected to win the Stanley cup this season.

The drama queens in here are absolutely hilarious.

Did anyone expect this team to be a division leader by December? 4 points out of a playoff spot is exactly where they should be.

Take a couple deep breaths and calm down.

...and so the revolving door of coaches continues under this era.
- sen_smile

I think we got a little spoiled during the Martin era. Coaches generally don't last that long. Guys like Ruff in Buffalo and Trotz in Nashville are rare finds as well. The Hartsburg and Paddock spans were frustrating, but happen. Murray, Maclean, and even Clouston had decent runs. Sometimes the message gets old and a new guy needs lead the team. Happens everywhere.

. Sometimes the message gets old and a new guy needs lead the team. Happens everywhere.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

yah, i think this is main part of it. just watched the presser and then the spotlight analysis on tsn. it seems like mac had lost the room... whether or not that is partly due to murray for publicly calling for him to be softer, nicer and more open to players' perspectives is impossible to tell from our standpoint (but would certainly be interesting aspect to know) . the short of it is that we aren't good, it seems impossible for us to start winning consistently, and ultimately its easier to fire the coach than find 22 new guys. im just surprised this happened when it did. esp. after the win.

im still not sold on the cameron hiring. but i will give him 20 games to see what happens. i think the big selling point here for murray is that cameron will listen to him in respect to dzone coverage and exits, etc. so i see the appeal there. i'm not completely sold on the "teacher" message... kinda awkward murray basically said (in not so many wordS) that richardson was his first choice...

i think they arent using the "interim" label bc it would undermine cameron a bit, and since authority / respect among players seems to be an issue, they went with the full title. again, i'm not sold on him as head coach, but ill give him 20 games i guess.

curious to see who are our healthy scratches tmrw.

EDIT: i mean thurs.

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.
- Mr_Clean

Rrrrrrrrrrrrrright. Because having Alfie here last year would not have made more of a difference on our young players.

I love the hypocritical BSing this franchise does. Phillips and Neil bring leadership (do they play big roles?) then Alfredsson leaves, oh he doesn't mean that much (leads red wings in points last year)

Rrrrrrrrrrrrrright. Because having Alfie here last year would not have made more of a difference on our young players.

I love the hypocritical BSing this franchise does. Phillips and Neil bring leadership (do they play big roles?) then Alfredsson leaves, oh he doesn't mean that much (leads red wings in points last year)
- AlfieisKing

Yeah, sure, he would have helped LAST year, but I don't think it would have made much of a difference THIS year since he is no longer playing.

One way or another, this leadership void was bound to occur, and I think - had Alfie been on the team last year - Spezza would have been the captain this year, and Phillips and Neil would have been the "A"s just the same.... And how would that put us in better shape?

I think the organisation has it wrong to say that any players make that huge a difference in terms of veteran leadership... Spezza played alongside Alfie for quite a few years, apparently that didn't make a huge difference in turning him into a leader... What would an extra year of Alfredsson done for our current-day youngbloods?

Guess I just don't see the leadership Alfie brought as necessarily being transmissible.

how much "teaching" do guys like neiler, philips and mm9 still need?

Rrrrrrrrrrrrrright. Because having Alfie here last year would not have made more of a difference on our young players.

I love the hypocritical BSing this franchise does. Phillips and Neil bring leadership (do they play big roles?) then Alfredsson leaves, oh he doesn't mean that much (leads red wings in points last year)
- AlfieisKing

When has this ever been said by people? Having Alfie here last season would have been ideal. But I don't think anyone said he wasn't valuable then said Phillips and Neil were valuable.

how much "teaching" do guys like neiler, philips and mm9 still need?
- sen_smile

I think the better question is "how much are they willing to learn?"

I can't think any of them are playing for a contract beyond their current contracts... they've outlived several coaches... Why would they feel the need to change anything?

When has this ever been said by people? Having Alfie here last season would have been ideal. But I don't think anyone said he wasn't valuable then said Phillips and Neil were valuable.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

Well, as far as the franchise goes, I do think he's right in that they downplayed the loss of Alfredsson while playing up the importance of the 'veteran leadership' Phillips and Neil provide...

But what do you expect? These guys are paid to sell tickets, they couldn't have known (although they should have guessed) that Neil and Phillips would be the tire fires they have become today...

Well, as far as the franchise goes, I do think he's right in that they downplayed the loss of Alfredsson while playing up the importance of the 'veteran leadership' Phillips and Neil provide...

But what do you expect? These guys are paid to sell tickets, they couldn't have known (although they should have guessed) that Neil and Phillips would be the tire fires they have become today...
- Mr_Clean

Basically. What else is the team going to do? Strip them of the "A" and say they are garbage while still on contract? Wallow in self pity that Alfie left? Some fans need to take public relations 101 classes I think.

I think the better question is "how much are they willing to learn?"

I can't think any of them are playing for a contract beyond their current contracts... they've outlived several coaches... Why would they feel the need to change anything?
- Mr_Clean

that's the point im making. its fine to fire maclean, but what about these bogus contracts like nearly every veteran on this team is signed to? its not like a "Teaching" coach can make magic... some of these problems have to do with the roster itself. unless coach cameron sits these guys, at least half of the problem is still there.

With respect to this, and the concept of an internal salary cap.

I agree that it exists, but at the same time, I don't see it being an issue. Once the team is ready to take the next step, then Eugene can lift that cap and they can bring in the parts.

Realistically speaking, and let's be real here, what players have Ottawa missed out on acquiring through free agency, where the cause was 'no money'?

They didn't sign Hemsky and gave his money to Michalek. Hemsky has 7 points and is a -12, Michalek has 8 points and is a -6. Seems like a wash. They've locked Turris and MacArthur and Ryan and Karlsson and Lehner and Cowen up to long term deals.

So far, the internal cap hasn't impacted a single thing at all, and there's absolutely no indication out there that Eugene won't release money to bring in guys once the team is ready. Bringing in money free agents right now, unless it's a LW1 or a partner for Karlsson, only takes playing time away from developing players who really need their TOI to remain high. This is what causes them to develop and grow.

I just think the impact of the internal budget is overblown.
- the_terror

Daniel Alfredsson and Jason Spezza were effected by the internal cap

that's the point im making. its fine to fire maclean, but what about these bogus contracts like nearly every veteran on this team is signed to? its not like a "Teaching" coach can make magic... some of these problems have to do with the roster itself. unless coach cameron sits these guys, at least half of the problem is still there.
- sen_smile

Yeah, you're right, teaching ain't gonna help these vets out... At the same time though, teaching the youngsters should help in the longer run, and that - I'd say - is the more important thing to take care of, after all!

Yeah, you're right, teaching ain't gonna help these vets out... At the same time though, teaching the youngsters should help in the longer run, and that - I'd say - is the more important thing to take care of, after all!
- Mr_Clean

its ONE thing. im feeling so many mixed emotions right now. ranging from:

..... ...... ..... ..... ...... ....

Jared Crozier: BREAKING: Senators Fire Paul MacLean
- JaredCrozier

Awful move

This is more or less my view on things as well. Not really the problem, not really providing solutions.

I couldn't care less if he was coaching us or not, moving forward... Given our team's makeup, not upset that Cameron will be interim head coach.

EDIT: not interim?
- Mr_Clean

I think it speaks t the longer term planning for the team. I suspect that BM has a replacement already set up and MacLean is not his guy..... so fire Maclean now - 'Murray takes the hit' for a bizarre decision and the new GM comes in with a clean slate

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

I get what you are saying, but I see this as an opportunity to finish what he and his uncle started .... blood man ..... it makes you think different sometimes