Listening to these so called hockey guys on the radio, saying on the Kraken goaltending has been disappointing. Well lets see Grubuaer come from the Avs and a quite a defense in front of him, Driedger comes from the Panthers, same thing, very strong defense. Then put these 2 in front of an expansion team defense, what type of results did they expect to get? Comical!
- Kevin Francis

You mean softball question Gord Wilson? Again, we have some really pieces of work that cover this team, Bruce Garrioch and Wilson, plus Dean Brown, its awful to listen to those 3. None of them ask a real sports question to any of the players, they want to be the players best friend. Pathetic.

I'm in a group chat with many prospective Ottawa business owners that are Sens fans. One of them has been tracking a crazy stat and it shows how this team isn't ready to start a game or period far too often with DJ Smith.

Tonight, Ottawa had one shot on goal until 7:23 left in the first period. Ottawa has had 47 periods this year in which they registered 0 or 1 shot on goal for the first 10 minutes of a period. That is a very telling stat. So for all the DJ lovers, give your head a shake. No coaching staff comes close to this abysmal stat, 2nd team on the list, is at 28 periods, Arizona. But Ottawa leads by a country mile. That is a big problem, when you are chasing the opposition that much. It won't produce results. But hey, let's bring back the same coach that has a winning % of under .375. Pathetic.

PD isn't liked at all, if anyone thinks PM was hired by the league, they are very out of touch! Farthest thing from it! PD had to be talked into drafting Sanderson and not trading down...it got very heated. PD isn't liked, let me repeat that, he isn't liked in the org! DJ was 5th or 6th to be asked to be an assistant coach for Team Canada. They wanted Maurice and Green to be with Julien.

- Kevin Francis

Paul Maurice would look great behind the Ottawa Senators bench!

We could finally see how good a team we have.

Paul Maurice would look great behind the Ottawa Senators bench!

We could finally see how good a team we have.
- SensFan25

Pipe dream I guess, but it would be nice!

Anyone else hear PD on Vancouver radio? OMG, if I hear anyone that says PD should be here next year, give your head a shake after this one!. I mean, we have all heard DJ tells us dozens of times this year that Zaitsev is elite. Now this!

Pierre Dorion - " I feel comfortable that on our right side Zaitsev is an elite defender. He can defend top players in our league."

END OF DISCUSSION, PD SHOULD BE FIRED! IF A GM IS WILLING TO GO ON RECORD AND STATE SOMETHING THAT NO OTHER GM OR HC WOULD EVEN THINK ABOUT SAYING UNDER THE UNFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL!

I'm in a group chat with many prospective Ottawa business owners that are Sens fans. One of them has been tracking a crazy stat and it shows how this team isn't ready to start a game or period far too often with DJ Smith.

Tonight, Ottawa had one shot on goal until 7:23 left in the first period. Ottawa has had 47 periods this year in which they registered 0 or 1 shot on goal for the first 10 minutes of a period. That is a very telling stat. So for all the DJ lovers, give your head a shake. No coaching staff comes close to this abysmal stat, 2nd team on the list, is at 28 periods, Arizona. But Ottawa leads by a country mile. That is a big problem, when you are chasing the opposition that much. It won't produce results. But hey, let's bring back the same coach that has a winning % of under .375. Pathetic.
- LawyerSens4Life

10 shots through 2 periods, you wont win many games like that!

I'm in a group chat with many prospective Ottawa business owners that are Sens fans. One of them has been tracking a crazy stat and it shows how this team isn't ready to start a game or period far too often with DJ Smith.

Tonight, Ottawa had one shot on goal until 7:23 left in the first period. Ottawa has had 47 periods this year in which they registered 0 or 1 shot on goal for the first 10 minutes of a period. That is a very telling stat. So for all the DJ lovers, give your head a shake. No coaching staff comes close to this abysmal stat, 2nd team on the list, is at 28 periods, Arizona. But Ottawa leads by a country mile. That is a big problem, when you are chasing the opposition that much. It won't produce results. But hey, let's bring back the same coach that has a winning % of under .375. Pathetic.
- LawyerSens4Life

Well the Sens managed to do it twice in a game tonight! 1 shot on goal through the first 11:36 of the 3rd period! But hey, lets bring back DJ Smith please lol, unreal!

4 SOG the entire 3rd period when you're trailing 3-2 entering the third period. Oh and this to an expansion folks, it's not like they're playing the Avs and they can't get any offense going. UGH!

Pipe dream I guess, but it would be nice!

Anyone else hear PD on Vancouver radio? OMG, if I hear anyone that says PD should be here next year, give your head a shake after this one!. I mean, we have all heard DJ tells us dozens of times this year that Zaitsev is elite. Now this!

Pierre Dorion - " I feel comfortable that on our right side Zaitsev is an elite defender. He can defend top players in our league."

END OF DISCUSSION, PD SHOULD BE FIRED! IF A GM IS WILLING TO GO ON RECORD AND STATE SOMETHING THAT NO OTHER GM OR HC WOULD EVEN THINK ABOUT SAYING UNDER THE UNFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL!
- Kevin Francis

When would this happen? Who right now has the mandate to step up and fire anybody? Why would anybody want to add this chaos into the situation when so many fans are starting to feel so positive over what they see happening on and off the ice.

DJ Smith deserves all the credit in the world for that video review challenge (or the coaches I should say - King)

When would this happen? Who right now has the mandate to step up and fire anybody? Why would anybody want to add this chaos into the situation when so many fans are starting to feel so positive over what they see happening on and off the ice.
- spatso

Seriously?! PD and DJ have caused the CHAOS! It's called another feather in his hat for why you cant keep him here the moment new ownership takes you over. You are sooooo lost my friend. You are the one saying the team shouldn't fire anyone after new ownership takes over. Why wouldn't they? The proof is in the putting. Lets establish the facts, the current coaching staff and management have caused the chaos, nobody else for the on ice product.

Seriously?! PD and DJ have caused the CHAOS! It's called another feather in his hat for why you cant keep him here the moment new ownership takes you over. You are sooooo lost my friend. You are the one saying the team shouldn't fire anyone after new ownership takes over. Why wouldn't they? The proof is in the putting. Lets establish the facts, the current coaching staff and management have caused the chaos, nobody else for the on ice product.
- Kevin Francis

Kevin, like the Leaf fan said, nobody can polish a turd like this guy. DJ played not to lose again tonight, lol, when he was losing the game too boot lol, like you have said in here on so many occasions. Under no circumstances would new ownership keep these 2 lost souls. PD allowing DJ to make personnel decisions is always the death of GM keeping his job. DJ coaches, PD manages, but PM was able to convince Melnyk not to let the song and dance continue. Hence why he was hired behind Dorion's back after Dorion told McGuire to get lost when asking for a job in management. A buddy of of mine is close to Jack Miller the BSens play by play guy, Jack said McGuire was blow off by PD, so you are correct in everything you said about how it all went down. Before Melnyk passed he was close to canning PD and PM was hired to stop the dog and pony show with the DJ and PD thinking they could do whatever they want when it came to player personnel. Spatso, the datso, you are a lost individual.

DJ Smith deserves all the credit in the world for that video review challenge (or the coaches I should say - King)
- AlfieisKing

Yes, he actually won a video review. He was 0 for is last 6.

Seriously?! PD and DJ have caused the CHAOS! It's called another feather in his hat for why you cant keep him here the moment new ownership takes you over. You are sooooo lost my friend. You are the one saying the team shouldn't fire anyone after new ownership takes over. Why wouldn't they? The proof is in the putting. Lets establish the facts, the current coaching staff and management have caused the chaos, nobody else for the on ice product.
- Kevin Francis

I don't doubt that new ownership will change the management. It is just the way it works in the both the world of sports and in business as well. Ownership wants their own guys calling the shots. But, I don't see how they are able to start negotiations on ownership bids until July or later (after the NCC reveals its preferred option).

I really don't have a strong bias one way or the other on retaining Dorion and Smith. Although I do believe Dorion has done a pretty good job working under some really difficult top down direction. The big issues facing the team right now includes the Melnyk executor taking control of the situation and determining the path that will be followed to transfer or stabilize team ownership. Included in the consideration will be the NCC announcement in June on preferred options followed by negotiations towards an implementation plan.

I just don't understand who is going to stand up and say, let's fire the GM. Would the executor then take on responsibility for making the final draft decisions or negotiating deals with Norris and Formenton.

Here's how you know if this coach has learned anything. Players are fed up with DJ not holding everyone accountable, only certain players. Zaitsev benched in the last half of the 3rd period. If he wants to send a message to show his players he goes by what he preaches and isn't a phony like many on the team think he is, he will sit Zaitsev against Vancouver and play Mete. Not sit MDZ and play Mete like he did after the Rangers game when the entire defense was awful. Don't make guys scapegoats.

I don't doubt that new ownership will change the management. It is just the way it works in the both the world of sports and in business as well. Ownership wants their own guys calling the shots. But, I don't see how they are able to start negotiations on ownership bids until July or later (after the NCC reveals its preferred option).

I really don't have a strong bias one way or the other on retaining Dorion and Smith. Although I do believe Dorion has done a pretty good job working under some really difficult top down direction. The big issues facing the team right now includes the Melnyk executor taking control of the situation and determining the path that will be followed to transfer or stabilize team ownership. Included in the consideration will be the NCC announcement in June on preferred options followed by negotiations towards an implementation plan.

I just don't understand who is going to stand up and say, let's fire the GM. Would the executor then take on responsibility for making the final draft decisions or negotiating deals with Norris and Formenton.
- spatso

Everone close to the situation knows that the board Melnyk put in place will take of all matters. They have the power. It was set up that way. End of story.

I watched alot of the Canucks game tonight. Capping for my blog tomorrow, this Vancouver team is going to torch Ottawa tomorrow night. An expansion team holds Ottawa to how many shots on goal? I should've made Seattle a larger wager tonight. Double up on Vancouver tomorrow night. Good Luck Ottawa.

There's a reason why I want the Sens to get to a top 5 pick (ESPECIALLY in a 32 team league). Look at where the best 3/4 picks are in the entire draft:

2005 - Crosby (1) Price (5) Kopitar (11)
2006 - Toews (3) Backstrom (4) Kessel (5)
2007 - Kane (1) Benn (129) Couture (9)
2008 - Stamkos (1) Doughty (2) Karlsson (15) / Pietrangelo (4)
2009 - Hedman (2) Tavares (1) O'Reilly (33)
2010 - Seguin (2) Tarasenko (16) Kuznetsov (26)
2011 - Huberdeau (3) Landeskog (2) Gaudreau (104)
2012 - Vasilevskiy (19) Forsberg (11) Hertl (17) Hellebuyck (130)
2013 - MacKinnon (1) Barkov (2) Jones (4)
2014 - Draisaitl (3) Pastrnak (25) Point (79) Ekblad (1)
2015 - McDavid (1) Rantanen (9) Aho (35) Marner (4)
2016 - Matthews (1) Tkachuk (6) Fox (66) DeBrincat (39)

Everone close to the situation knows that the board Melnyk put in place will take of all matters. They have the power. It was set up that way. End of story.
- LawyerSens4Life

You really believe there is somebody speaking for ownership right now that is thinking about firing a coach and GM just before a draft, negotiation of new contracts, consideration of bids from prospective new ownership groups, negotiations with parties to the NCC bids as well as the sale and/or disposition of the other estate assets.

I don't think so.

There's a reason why I want the Sens to get to a top 5 pick (ESPECIALLY in a 32 team league). Look at where the best 3/4 picks are in the entire draft:
- AlfieisKing

There's no question about the value of top-5 picks in general, but the 2022 draft is shaping up as having a consensus top-3, followed by a fairly extensive 2nd tier of 6-8 players. Fortunately, it includes quite a nice mix of RW, C, and RD, which by position are probably the greatest areas of need for the Senators.

1st Tier
C Shane Wright (CAN), LW Juraj Slafkovsky (SVK), C Logan Cooley (USA)

2nd Tier
RD Simon Nemec (SVK), C Matthew Savoie (CAN), RW Joakim Kemell (FIN), RD David Jiricek (CZE), C Connor Geekie (CAN), RW Danila Yurov (RUS), RW Frank Nazar (USA)

Honorable Mention - LD Denton Mateychuk (CAN), RW David Lambert (FIN)

Obviously it would be great if they could win a lottery spot, but assuming they wind up in the #7-9 range it's a question of who's still on the board at that point. I'm quite supportive of the idea of picking a high-skill RW, so it wouldn't surprise me if Kemell or Nazar were on their radar. I'm worried they'll target Geekie just because of his size... but he's at least a RH-shot, and might be able to play a C/RW role.

Side note: it was interesting to see the recent list of top NHL prospects by TSN/Craig Button. They have Jake Sanderson at #2 behind Owen Power, but Ridly Greig showing up at #19 is pretty unexpected. This isn't to question how good a season Greig is having with Brandon, but I think some pretty serious questions remain about his scoring line upside, vs. checking-line potential. That said, during an interview, Button said he felt there was a clear top-2 prospects in their system, which put Greig well ahead of any of Pinto, Thomson, Bernard-Docker, Sogaard, or Gustavsson. Of course, in true Button fashion, the list deteriorated quickly in terms of rationale after the first 1/4, so it may just be his usual horse$hit.

https://www.tsn.ca/buffal...-prospects-list-1.1784411

Pipe dream I guess, but it would be nice!

Anyone else hear PD on Vancouver radio? OMG, if I hear anyone that says PD should be here next year, give your head a shake after this one!. I mean, we have all heard DJ tells us dozens of times this year that Zaitsev is elite. Now this!

Pierre Dorion - " I feel comfortable that on our right side Zaitsev is an elite defender. He can defend top players in our league."

END OF DISCUSSION, PD SHOULD BE FIRED! IF A GM IS WILLING TO GO ON RECORD AND STATE SOMETHING THAT NO OTHER GM OR HC WOULD EVEN THINK ABOUT SAYING UNDER THE UNFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL!
- Kevin Francis

Have You sniffed this out ?

Man that was one boring game. I fell asleep in the third period but I don't think I missed anything.

what's even worst is this maybe the most important offseason in this franchises history, this offseason will determine if OTT is a contender/future contender or the Sabers/yotes of canada (no offense sabers/yotes fans).

So is there a reason Kevin Francis also posts as LawyerSens4Life?

what's even worst is this maybe the most important offseason in this franchises history, this offseason will determine if OTT is a contender/future contender or the Sabers/yotes of canada (no offense sabers/yotes fans).
- Mithos

You make an important point. Sens are at a critical point. This summer is really important. Do we consolidate around and improve on the existing assets? Or, do we take the focus off of the existing plan and bring in a new GM and start with a new vision and a new planning cycle with wholesale front office changes?

I was hopeful that Mcguire had been hired to facilitate transfer to a new ownership group and he was with the Sens as the eyes and ears of the NHL or a prospective ownership group. I have been assured that this is not the case.

Your Buffalo caution should be noticed. Are we really talking about a front office change and beginning a new plan for success? It was only a couple of years ago we were reading.

"Jason Botterill was fired as general manager of the Buffalo Sabres on Tuesday and replaced by Kevyn Adams."When we were in detailed discussions with Jason and how we felt we needed to move forward effectively, efficiently, and economically running this franchise, we felt there were too many differences in opinion going into the future...We as owners had a vision on where we need to go in these uncertain times...Looking ahead, we need to make some adjustments in the business side of our operations that we provide that foresight to the organization. We felt like we weren't being heard. I'm not going to sit here and dish on Jason Botterill, but we have a vision and we want to see our vision succeed."

So is there a reason Kevin Francis also posts as LawyerSens4Life?
- TDBSenatoR

He works very hard at trying to make this blog relevant and we need to recognize that we can disagree at the level of opinion and sometimes it is good for someone to posture a strong reactionary view.

Perhaps for those of us who are committed to this rebuild, it could be argued that we have put too much emphasis on patience. Folks need to be able to express their frustration with process. We just need to make sure we don't do anything rash or stupid that would start us going back to the beginning of another rebuild cycle.

You make an important point. Sens are at a critical point. This summer is really important. Do we consolidate around and improve on the existing assets? Or, do we take the focus off of the existing plan and bring in a new GM and start with a new vision and a new planning cycle with wholesale front office changes?

I was hopeful that Mcguire had been hired to facilitate transfer to a new ownership group and he was with the Sens as the eyes and ears of the NHL or a prospective ownership group. I have been assured that this is not the case.

Your Buffalo caution should be noticed. Are we really talking about a front office change and beginning a new plan for success? It was only a couple of years ago we were reading.

"Jason Botterill was fired as general manager of the Buffalo Sabres on Tuesday and replaced by Kevyn Adams."When we were in detailed discussions with Jason and how we felt we needed to move forward effectively, efficiently, and economically running this franchise, we felt there were too many differences in opinion going into the future...We as owners had a vision on where we need to go in these uncertain times...Looking ahead, we need to make some adjustments in the business side of our operations that we provide that foresight to the organization. We felt like we weren't being heard. I'm not going to sit here and dish on Jason Botterill, but we have a vision and we want to see our vision succeed."
- spatso

DJ needs to be fired and replaced before the next season starts this is 100% needed OTT needs to sign Giroux and or trade for Fiala. Giroux would be #1 as he can mento Norris, Stu and Pinto in the FO circle and provide excellent Vet leadership to OTT yougn Core, Fiala would be the Cherry on top to round out the top 6