Jared Crozier: What Is The Answer Behind The Bench For The Senators?

I am on the fence with this.

While I think a new voice is needed, I don't blame Cameron one bit. He did the best he could with what he was given.

When he said his mandate this year was to 'develop the young guys' many of his decisions make much more sense. His treatment of Hoffman is a perfect example. If his mandate was to 'make the playoffs no matter what', then he probably would have played Hoffman no matter how terrible he was playing defensively or how cold he was. Instead, he chose to try to 'develop' him into a responsible NHL player (as per his mandate).

The same thing can be said with many of his other decisions:
1. treatment of Zibby and demotion to the 3rd line
2. Moving Smith up to the top line
3. Playing Cowen early in the year, even though he was a liability.
4. Giving Chiasson and Lazar PP time even though neither really 'deserved it' based on their offensive abilities.

Once I heard what his mandate was, it put a lot of his decisions into perspective.

It's unfortunate that our slimy owner is going to blame a guy for doing exactly what he was told to do.

If the goal was 'playoffs or bust because I'm poor and I need playoff ticket revenue', I have a feeling Cameron would have made a few different decisions.

Finally, I feel as though firing Cameron is letting management (and the players to a much lesser extent) off the hook for a disappointing season. Then again, if it's true that Cameron really was 'Melnyk's man', then I guess it's hard to blame management.

All I know is if they fire him and bring in someone else with zero NHL coaching experience, I am going to

I am on the fence with this.

While I think a new voice is needed, I don't blame Cameron one bit. He did the best he could with what he was given.

When he said his mandate this year was to 'develop the young guys' many of his decisions make much more sense. His treatment of Hoffman is a perfect example. If his mandate was to 'make the playoffs no matter what', then he probably would have played Hoffman no matter how terrible he was playing defensively or how cold he was. Instead, he chose to try to 'develop' him into a responsible NHL player (as per his mandate).

The same thing can be said with many of his other decisions:
1. treatment of Zibby and demotion to the 3rd line
2. Moving Smith up to the top line
3. Playing Cowen early in the year, even though he was a liability.
4. Giving Chiasson and Lazar PP time even though neither really 'deserved it' based on their offensive abilities.

Once I heard what his mandate was, it put a lot of his decisions into perspective.

It's unfortunate that our slimy owner is going to blame a guy for doing exactly what he was told to do.

If the goal was 'playoffs or bust because I'm poor and I need playoff ticket revenue', I have a feeling Cameron would have made a few different decisions.

Finally, I feel as though firing Cameron is letting management (and the players to a much lesser extent) off the hook for a disappointing season. Then again, if it's true that Cameron really was 'Melnyk's man', then I guess it's hard to blame management.

All I know is if they fire him and bring in someone else with zero NHL coaching experience, I am going to
- Charliebox

I hear ya....it seems like I am going around in circles in my own mind on the topic

I'd go Hitchcok or Julien - Julien has less patience with lazy players so I think guys like Ryan would have the best summers of their careers.

Hitchcok just wins but has a bit of a Jacques Marrin rep when it comes to playoffs, lots of underachieving.

Richardson as an Assistant to coach the D. Alfie as a senior executive and a GM who isn't afraid to make moves.

Lost In all this is the fact tha Murray will still have the direct line to Melnyk and I don't think that's health. But with Melnyk as our owner, we'll always have a Gongshow element because he's a Gongshow

I'd go Hitchcok or Julien - Julien has less patience with lazy players so I think guys like Ryan would have the best summers of their careers.

Hitchcok just wins but has a bit of a Jacques Marrin rep when it comes to playoffs, lots of underachieving.

Richardson as an Assistant to coach the D. Alfie as a senior executive and a GM who isn't afraid to make moves.

Lost In all this is the fact tha Murray will still have the direct line to Melnyk and I don't think that's health. But with Melnyk as our owner, we'll always have a Gongshow element because he's a Gongshow

Waiting for somebody to try and poach Rod Brind'amour.

The Sens have a hell of a lot more to fix than the coach. The roster is nowhere near good enough. I don't think Cameron is a good coach, but it's not really his fault either. The Sens merry-go-round of the coaching position is never gonna stop until the management goes about bringing in better players, and they're given a budget to do so.

I do think the Sens are going to need a new, and experienced bench boss. I don't think it is a big rush though. Other issues exist, but we won't know how deep the problems run until the lineup is closer to what we will see on a regular basis in the next couple seasons.

I think the Sens should wait for an experienced coach to become available and see if Richardson is willing to act as an assistant coach for the big team for a while.

There are a bunch of examples of inexcusable decisions made by the coaching staff this year. However, it makes no sense to rush a guy out the door until you have your other ducks in a row ( so to speak ).

I think Smith deserves a congratulations for his Bill Masterson trophy nomination.

I hope next year at this time we are talking about MacArthur being a favorite to win it. That would mean he's back playing hockey, and doing well both on the ice and off. Hearing how difficult life has been for him these past 10 months...I feel for him.

Hope to see some milestones in the coming games. Stone has 6 games to gain 4 points to match his point total from last year. His ppg are shockingly close to last years total. Slightly above. ( .811 vs. .800 )

Hoffman has already surpassed his point total from last year by a bit. He's got 6 games to get 3 goals to hit the 30 mark. The 30 goal plateau is a nice marker on your stats sheet. Good for him to turn around a rough stretch to finish the season. Can't believe he waited for me to drop him from my fantasy team to do it, but there you go.

Bobby Ryan is 1 point away from matching his career high as a Sen. He's also 1 goal away from matching his highest goal total as a Sen.

Mika Zibanejad has already passed his career high for points. He's only 3 away from 50, and only 2 goals away from 20, which would match his career high.

Pageau is 3 points away from 40, which would more than double his previous career high. He's 3 away from 20 goals.

Obviously, not all these will happen. But there has been some nice sparks this year. Just too many setbacks.

The Sens have a hell of a lot more to fix than the coach. The roster is nowhere near good enough. I don't think Cameron is a good coach, but it's not really his fault either. The Sens merry-go-round of the coaching position is never gonna stop until the management goes about bringing in better players, and they're given a budget to do so.
- prock

Its a bit of a chicken and egg situation. Theres a never ending merry-go-round with the coaches because they can't deploy the players properly but they can't deploy the players properly because the right ones aren't in place. This team hasn't had an identity in years. The coach just plays whoever he feels had a good morning skate so we have a never ending rotation of bottom players who never grow and learn because they're not taught a style or encouraged to change, just have a good practice and hope your style of play matches well against the team you're playing next.

The Sens have a hell of a lot more to fix than the coach. The roster is nowhere near good enough. I don't think Cameron is a good coach, but it's not really his fault either. The Sens merry-go-round of the coaching position is never gonna stop until the management goes about bringing in better players, and they're given a budget to do so.
- prock

Yeah, there are other problems. But the number of problems that exist doesn't mean you avoid fixing any single problem that exists.

It's time for the Sens to bring in an EXPERIENCED coach. No more call ups or the like. However, I think it is a better idea to wait for the best option atm. There are good coaches who can be had. Either in the summer, or when a team fires a coach around the 25 game mark next year.

That's why I vote YES on a new coach. But only when they have a guy like Claude Julien, or Bruce Boudreau. I'd like it if Hitchcock was available, but I doubt he will be any time soon.

What a difference a year makes. Everyone felt like this team was going in the right direction last year with the roster, coaching, and identity. It's been a 180 now. I never felt like promoting a coach from within was the way to go. It never works. We have had Paddock (Murrays assistant) Clouston (farm team coach) and Cameron (Mclean's assistant). All have more or less crashed and burned. With Hartsberg and Mclean it was giving new guys a shot. I'll never understand Hartsberg being hired, but Mclean seemed like a good fit. Won coach of the year then got canned. I think a little more time with Mclean may have been beneficial. My opinion would be to bring in a veteran coach with a good track record.

All this said, a coach can only do so much with the roster they have. Once management (and fans) realize that, the better off we will be and changes will come. Turris is not a #1 centre, Hoffman is not an elite forward, Methot is not a #2 d-man, Lazar is not going to be a top 6 forward, Boro is not an NHL d-man, Kosta is not an NHL d-man, Wiercioch is not an NHL d-man, Wideman (at the moment) is not an NHL d-man, guys like Neil, Chaisson, Dzingle, etc should not be on NHL rosters, the roster problems go on and on.

Fans and management make up a depth chart and feel ok with the team. However, they fail to compare it to other rosters, good team rosters in particular. Bringing in a totally new management team with an outside perspective is the only way to improve this team. Identify roster areas of need and address them, not just try and hope things sort themselves out.

The negative aside, I think the team has good pieces. Karlsson, Phaneuf, Methot, and Ceci is a respectable top 4 D. Ryan, Stone, Hoffman, Turris are good top 6 options. Guys like Smith, Pag, and Zibby while are not top 6 forwards, can provide scoring support on a 3rd or 4th line(s). Those names are 10 players for an 18 man roster. Fringe guys in my mind are Lazar (looks basically like a second coming of Condra, not overly useful) and Macarthur (terrible luck with head injuries this year, hard to say he will be the player he was if and when he returns). Clearly holes exist amongst the skaters. Until that is addressed, no coach will be able to do much. A mentality that this roster is ready go needs to change. You'll only see improvement once that happens.

What a difference a year makes. Everyone felt like this team was going in the right direction last year with the roster, coaching, and identity. It's been a 180 now. I never felt like promoting a coach from within was the way to go. It never works. We have had Paddock (Murrays assistant) Clouston (farm team coach) and Cameron (Mclean's assistant). All have more or less crashed and burned. With Hartsberg and Mclean it was giving new guys a shot. I'll never understand Hartsberg being hired, but Mclean seemed like a good fit. Won coach of the year then got canned. I think a little more time with Mclean may have been beneficial. My opinion would be to bring in a veteran coach with a good track record.

All this said, a coach can only do so much with the roster they have. Once management (and fans) realize that, the better off we will be and changes will come. Turris is not a #1 centre, Hoffman is not an elite forward, Methot is not a #2 d-man, Lazar is not going to be a top 6 forward, Boro is not an NHL d-man, Kosta is not an NHL d-man, Wiercioch is not an NHL d-man, Wideman (at the moment) is not an NHL d-man, guys like Neil, Chaisson, Dzingle, etc should not be on NHL rosters, the roster problems go on and on.

Fans and management make up a depth chart and feel ok with the team. However, they fail to compare it to other rosters, good team rosters in particular. Bringing in a totally new management team with an outside perspective is the only way to improve this team. Identify roster areas of need and address them, not just try and hope things sort themselves out.

The negative aside, I think the team has good pieces. Karlsson, Phaneuf, Methot, and Ceci is a respectable top 4 D. Ryan, Stone, Hoffman, Turris are good top 6 options. Guys like Smith, Pag, and Zibby while are not top 6 forwards, can provide scoring support on a 3rd or 4th line(s). Those names are 10 players for an 18 man roster. Fringe guys in my mind are Lazar (looks basically like a second coming of Condra, not overly useful) and Macarthur (terrible luck with head injuries this year, hard to say he will be the player he was if and when he returns). Clearly holes exist amongst the skaters. Until that is addressed, no coach will be able to do much. A mentality that this roster is ready go needs to change. You'll only see improvement once that happens.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

WHO?

All I ever heard from anyone outside of Ottawa was how the team was atrocious defensively and was being propped up by unsustainable goaltending. The Sens were a bad team playing okay hockey and getting great goaltending.

Now they're a bad team playing bad hockey and getting "okay" goaltending.

WHO?

All I ever heard from anyone outside of Ottawa was how the team was atrocious defensively and was being propped up by unsustainable goaltending. The Sens were a bad team playing okay hockey and getting great goaltending.

Now they're a bad team playing bad hockey and getting "okay" goaltending.
- BINGO!

Was referring to these boards and send fans mainly. Hence, my point that bringing in outsiders will help improve this team. There is too much narrow vision amongst management (and fans) right now. It's more than coaching.

Julien is not the answer in Ottawa. Trust me, Ottawa wants to develop young talent and allow the farm system to grow and push players to develop the "right" way. CJ has a tough time doing this and frankly he hasn't had too many players develop in to bona fided NHL caliber stars in the NHL. If Ottawa wants to overpay older talent who are NHL pros then I think CJ is a good hire.

Does Ottawa need someone new? Probably, but I think they need someone who knows how to develop young talent and cultivate them into a team.

Murray will probably step down bring in someone to replace him and whoever that is has to hire their own coach.

If only the Sens had hung on to Ben Bishop maybe they'd be a better spot...

Jared Crozier: What Is The Answer Behind The Bench For The Senators?
- JaredCrozier

doesn't matter who coaches until they have an owner who spends to win until then they'll sit at the edge of the playoffs making it one year missing the next forever stuck in mediocrity

Our K-Mart shopper owner needs to realize that successful cheapo teams are only successful when bottoming out, getting top draft picks, and maybe a fortunate trade or two. And even then, cheap loses in the long term.

So either 1) sell to Desmarais who will spend the money to contend 2) cough up money for real talent 3) continue to sell snake oil to people who remember real contender teams and are getting frustrated by seeing a decade of nothing like it, and watch the rink empty.

Every team that comes to town either is better, is working a bottoming out plan to get better, or at least hasn't been cheaped into a corner trying to get playoff revenue and are stuck with overpaying salaries for several years forward that assure at best average results.

K-Mart has moved us into a corner that only real money and a rebuild can get us out of.

A new, rich owner can get the coach and players we need. Otherwise, Cheapo needs to understand his mortality and legacy, and stop saving for a rainy day he won't see, and cough up for a real coach and a few players to get in the game.

If we win a Cup here, the homeland fund will be replenished in spades. But Flames east will just keep the spiral going until the goodwill is gone.

Call me paranoid, but isn't anyone the least bit concerned that the Cirque du Solieil guys will buy the team then do EVERYTHING they can to take their new toy back to Quebec? Just curious...

Kirk Muller

Call me paranoid, but isn't anyone the least bit concerned that the Cirque du Solieil guys will buy the team then do EVERYTHING they can to take their new toy back to Quebec? Just curious...
- legs37

AND DO WHAT WITH THE ARENA THEY BUILD?

I'm also kinda on the fence about this. I ahve not liked Cameron this year. especial for his mixing up the lines and his treatment of Hoffman with favoritism of other players.

However I don't know if he should lose his job. This team goes through coaches like crazy. I would say we need to fire BM and bring in the GM from outside the organization who is willing to build a cup contending team.

From there either see how it goes with Cameron or fire him. But we need a new GM first.

Kirk Muller
- mr.sir

I'm also kinda on the fence about this. I ahve not liked Cameron this year. especial for his mixing up the lines and his treatment of Hoffman with favoritism of other players.

However I don't know if he should lose his job. This team goes through coaches like crazy. I would say we need to fire BM and bring in the GM from outside the organization who is willing to build a cup contending team.

From there either see how it goes with Cameron or fire him. But we need a new GM first.
- Maverick1818

I agree with your point, but to take it further, the issue isn't coaching, but if you bring in a new management team, you'll likely have a new head coach. You hardly ever see a new GM come in and have the same coach stick around. In most cases, the coach tries to implement the GMs vision so a GM likes to hire their own guy. This is for normal markets, not like ours where Eugene plays Cameron's horn for 4 or 5 years then calls him stupid one year after he gets the job Eugene pushed so hard for him to get.

I'm not sure why there is so much coach talk. The problem is clearly the inability to build a team that can be competitive every game. I not sure why so many people think coaching will miraculously change things. No coach will make Kyle Turris the #1 centre we need. No coach will make Lazar into an offensive dynamo. No coach will make our AHLers into NHLers overnight. I pointed out earlier. We have about 10 players who are legitimate roster players. The rest is a gong show. Competitive teams don't have 8 or so rotating roster spots. That is a management problem.