The only thing that makes no sense to me is if the owner (RIP) had l these issues with Dorion, why didn't he just fire the guy and replace him with someone he actually trusted?

The only thing that makes no sense to me is if the owner (RIP) had l these issues with Dorion, why didn't he just fire the guy and replace him with someone he actually trusted?
- OfManNotMachine

Someone asked a similar question, I mentioned in my piece there are few things that I haven't been given the green light about to post yet. It pertains to your question a few others I received on Twitter and in the comment section. Sorry!

Let's put it this way, then you can maybe read between the lines. I was having a similar discussion with a media member this afternoon.....his question was, why didn't Melnyk have Dorion sign an NDA?!

IMO, McGuire is a mess and I wouldn't want him anywhere near my team in any official capacity. I don't care who he knows or how much hockey knowledge he has. The guy is a jackass.

Ottawa needs new direction and Dorion is a dead end. But, losing McGuire was addition by subtraction.

Again, just my two cents as an uninformed outsider.

The best thing PD ever did for the franchise was to ensure PM was gone. Holy cow if you think otherwise. PM is one of the few “hockey” people who are WORSE than Dorian. Sorry, Ek.

The best thing PD ever did for the franchise was to ensure PM was gone. Holy cow if you think otherwise. PM is one of the few “hockey” people who are WORSE than Dorian. Sorry, Ek.
- Quetzalcoatl

That is your opinion, but come and join the discussion on my twitter page. You find the link at the top of my blog.

IMO, McGuire is a mess and I wouldn't want him anywhere near my team in any official capacity. I don't care who he knows or how much hockey knowledge he has. The guy is a jackass.

Ottawa needs new direction and Dorion is a dead end. But, losing McGuire was addition by subtraction.

Again, just my two cents as an uninformed outsider.
- GalacticStone

Again, fair enough on PM, many feel like you do, outsider or not. I always appreciate an outsiders opinion because sometimes fans of the team are jaded. The sooner the team is sold the quicker new direction is brought in to replace PD! Thanks for stopping by.

Flat out, he was fired for doing his job and having too much hockey knowledge. Something any NHL personnel person would tell you is Dorion's problem and the Sens downfall at the same time.
- Kevin Francis

Agree with this post 100%. Dorion and Smith have to go!

Agree with this post 100%. Dorion and Smith have to go!
- Barrykerr1

Thanks! Check out the feedback on my Twitter feed. I am not kidding, not one single fan thinks DJ or PD should be back next season. In fact, the fanbase is soooo furious with this management group and coaching staff...that everyone is beyond fed up!!

(1) Thank you sincerely for writing this piece

(2) I like Pierre McGuire a lot as a person & hockey mind - but no I don't think he should be GM but I had no problem with him in the organization

(3) Pierre Dorion is fake AF. I think he is good at scouting and his trades ONLY with acquiring young pieces and drafting suggest he is good in that department (although Stone deal was not good and he's pretty shiit at bringing in veteran players)

(4) I don't like DJ Smith OR Dorion as GM. I would be ok with DJ as an assitant coach and PD as a scout - not as part of putting together a cup team

(5) Keep writing stuff like this because at the very least it gets fans talking and evaluating / keeping a close eye on the coach and GM. With that said Eugene Melnyk was more of a control freak IMO than anyone in the organization - and with 0 cups it wasn't a method that worked obviously

(1) Thank you sincerely for writing this piece

(2) I like Pierre McGuire a lot as a person & hockey mind - but no I don't think he should be GM but I had no problem with him in the organization

(3) Pierre Dorion is fake AF. I think he is good at scouting and his trades ONLY with acquiring young pieces and drafting suggest he is good in that department (although Stone deal was not good and he's pretty shiit at bringing in veteran players)

(4) I don't like DJ Smith OR Dorion as GM. I would be ok with DJ as an assitant coach and PD as a scout - not as part of putting together a cup team

(5) Keep writing stuff like this because at the very least it gets fans talking and evaluating / keeping a close eye on the coach and GM. With that said Eugene Melnyk was more of a control freak IMO than anyone in the organization - and with 0 cups it wasn't a method that worked obviously
- AlfieisKing

Appreciate the kind words, thanks! Honestly, I never thought this piece would get the reaction it did on Twitter today......I kid you not, the amount of the people that I have heard from that have never messaged me before, followed me before or read my work before is wild and overwhelming at the same time. I did my best to get back to each message on Twitter and each IM on Twitter, plus all the IM's here on hockeybuzz. People who know me personally, have been texting and emailing me as well with their reaction but also what their friends are saying about the piece. I am glad to bring an objective voice for the fanbase.

Good piece Kev.
Glad you're feeling better.


Your NDA comment says it all.
(snort)....so what did he know and on which "fire" was it. Melnyk had so many, no doubt PD was in on putting out a couple of them. Lame.

Thanks for the blog Kevin. Excellent work!

Well written you have excellent writing skills.

I thought it was a waste to let him go. His hockey knowledge should have been put to use some where.

Although the layers of inter-personal complexity may have a made it impossible as things stand currently.

Great scoop. Very good read and glad you are feeling better.

I'd love to learn more details about Melnyk not just getting rid of Dorion all together, but obviously you can't burn sources.

I'm most frustrated that there is considerable money just sitting on the table to have McGuire do nothing. That money could be used for coaching, scouting, etc as Kevin alludes to in the blog. It's so frustrating to see a budget team just burn cash left and right.

There is something amiss with Dorion and his way of doing business. You can't successfully run an NHL franchise without legitimate help behind the scenes. The hockey world is far too vast to do everything yourself. If McGuire was the main person to drive the Brady signing, it makes you concerned about the Norris negotiations this summer.

It's personalties like Dorion that make companies and businesses struggle. Fear of having people smarter than you come along is toxic. Great leaders want smart people and successfully implement then into their teams. It's sad that Dorion can't even figure out that he only has the GM job because he was a cheap and promotable option. He was not put in the position because he is the greatest hockey mind in the world.

Great scoop. Very good read and glad you are feeling better.

I'd love to learn more details about Melnyk not just getting rid of Dorion all together, but obviously you can't burn sources.

I'm most frustrated that there is considerable money just sitting on the table to have McGuire do nothing. That money could be used for coaching, scouting, etc as Kevin alludes to in the blog. It's so frustrating to see a budget team just burn cash left and right.

There is something amiss with Dorion and his way of doing business. You can't successfully run an NHL franchise without legitimate help behind the scenes. The hockey world is far too vast to do everything yourself. If McGuire was the main person to drive the Brady signing, it makes you concerned about the Norris negotiations this summer.

It's personalties like Dorion that make companies and businesses struggle. Fear of having people smarter than you come along is toxic. Great leaders want smart people and successfully implement then into their teams. It's sad that Dorion can't even figure out that he only has the GM job because he was a cheap and promotable option. He was not put in the position because he is the greatest hockey mind in the world.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

This is likely precisely why he behaves this way. He acquired status that is outside of his actual capabilities and a degree of neuroticism has kicked in making him want to eliminate all threats to him losing it instead of working naturally in that status environment like someone conscientious and experienced enough to earn that position naturally.

I think a lot of the behavior, or at least mainly the silence, we see out of Dorion is a B student being pushed by his parents to be an A student and being threatened of being exposed for what he is they simply don't try, or come up with excuses or ignore the problem and we get a C or D as a result.

Excellent read, thank you. I wonder if, how, when Alfie may factor into any of this. I’m staying tuned!

Excellent read, thank you. I wonder if, how, when Alfie may factor into any of this. I’m staying tuned!
- riptheguard

According to his interview on the Team 1200 last week.....0 contact with the Sens or involvement with anything at the moment. Zero involvement with anything regarding a group to buy them either. Seems like he watched most of the Leafs series, was pulling for his friend Spezza, had a bad case of tennis elbow and had a great lunch with Brady Tkachuk

Another great piece Kevin. There are very few people who cover the team that not only give an objective opinion like yourself but that give info that no other writer or media person in this town is willing to go on record with.

For that you should be applauded for it because there are far too many blow hards in this town that toe the company line and want to be the players or management's friends. Then they get info these so called insiders and don't report it.

You put Bruce Garrioch to shame with some of your work that you have written this year. I know myself and many other Sens fans appreciate your efforts and balls to write what many scribes would say are "uncomfortable topics". So a huge thank you for doing great investigative work. My buddies tell more and more people about how they need to come here and read your work.

When it comes to Dorion, many fans speculated about him but with this info, it blows him up even more for what a complete jerk he is and what a horrible job he has done yet is willing to put his own agenda ahead of that of the team. That in itself should be a fireable offense alone.

This team is doomed as long as Dorion and Smith are allowed to keep their positions. Heck, any hockey message board on the net ridicule the Sens front office and coaching staff. We are a laughing stock on so many levels. For everything good thing Dorion does he ruins it with 5 ridiculous moves that hurt the team.

Again, great job by you and I am glad you are getting recognized on Twitter for your work. The discussion that has gone on with your Twitter page since you posted the blog yesterday has been unreal and fans appreciate that you put yourself out there. It shows you care about this team in the hopes of getting info out there to put heat on the proper people in that front office to do something about it before it's too late with this fanbase.

According to his interview on the Team 1200 last week.....0 contact with the Sens or involvement with anything at the moment. Zero involvement with anything regarding a group to buy them either. Seems like he watched most of the Leafs series, was pulling for his friend Spezza, had a bad case of tennis elbow and had a great lunch with Brady Tkachuk
- Octavarium

I listened to it as well, I get the feeling he was being very coy too. Not wanting to play his cards, as nobody would if they are trying to be part of the group that eventually buys team. You don't want to play your hand so others know what is going on in terms of other rival groups trying to snag the team.

This is likely precisely why he behaves this way. He acquired status that is outside of his actual capabilities and a degree of neuroticism has kicked in making him want to eliminate all threats to him losing it instead of working naturally in that status environment like someone conscientious and experienced enough to earn that position naturally.

I think a lot of the behavior, or at least mainly the silence, we see out of Dorion is a B student being pushed by his parents to be an A student and being threatened of being exposed for what he is they simply don't try, or come up with excuses or ignore the problem and we get a C or D as a result.
- TDBSenatoR

You and I think alike, well put. He acts like a 12 year old on so many levels. His actions show he puts his own agenda ahead of team success.

Well written you have excellent writing skills.

I thought it was a waste to let him go. His hockey knowledge should have been put to use some where.

Although the layers of inter-personal complexity may have a made it impossible as things stand currently.
- spazzbot

But as I stated in a few other comments, that is the problem with this GM, he wouldn't be a GM on any other team in the NHL due to his ineptitude. This team complains its broke and is on a budget like he said in his last presser, but in the same breath Dorion fires McGuire to make him go away because of this fools insecurities. Incredible.

Another great piece Kevin. There are very few people who cover the team that not only give an objective opinion like yourself but that give info that no other writer or media person in this town is willing to go on record with.

For that you should be applauded for it because there are far too many blow hards in this town that toe the company line and want to be the players or management's friends. Then they get info these so called insiders and don't report it.

You put Bruce Garrioch to shame with some of your work that you have written this year. I know myself and many other Sens fans appreciate your efforts and balls to write what many scribes would say are "uncomfortable topics". So a huge thank you for doing great investigative work. My buddies tell more and more people about how they need to come here and read your work.

When it comes to Dorion, many fans speculated about him but with this info, it blows him up even more for what a complete jerk he is and what a horrible job he has done yet is willing to put his own agenda ahead of that of the team. That in itself should be a fireable offense alone.

This team is doomed as long as Dorion and Smith are allowed to keep their positions. Heck, any hockey message board on the net ridicule the Sens front office and coaching staff. We are a laughing stock on so many levels. For everything good thing Dorion does he ruins it with 5 ridiculous moves that hurt the team.

Again, great job by you and I am glad you are getting recognized on Twitter for your work. The discussion that has gone on with your Twitter page since you posted the blog yesterday has been unreal and fans appreciate that you put yourself out there. It shows you care about this team in the hopes of getting info out there to put heat on the proper people in that front office to do something about it before it's too late with this fanbase.
- LawyerSens4Life

It's a good article but look we know the poster for LawyerSens4Life and Kevin Francis is the same person. This just comes off as weird when you pat your own back this hard. I'm not sure why you post as two separate account in this fashion but it isn't very deceptive and it is strange.

However it was a good article not taking anything away form you there.

Like Kevin said in his blog, watch that Wally podcast the first 20 minutes. To hear Dorion walking through the media in the stands at practice yelling, saying, no other 29th place in the league has as much as we do! You got to be kidding me? This guy truly acts like he is in grade school but he has one of 32 GM positions in the NHL, scary thought!

Thanks for these insights and juicy tidbits, much appreciated.

I gave up on DJ Smith when he continually played the back pass breakout on the power play, that created less zone entries than when they were playing 5 on 5. It was ridiculous, and yet they kept going at it. When he kept calling Zaitsev elite just cemented the feeling.

I was ok with PM in the organization. I thought someone with knowledge and experience that could evaluate NHL players would improve on the previous trades. His tv schtick was just that. PM knows his stuff.

PD I gave up on with the Stone trade. I always believed Melnyk was responsible for the moves PD made because of budget limitations. After this article, I’m beginning to think PD did those trades to ingratiate himself to Melnyk and show he could build a team at a discount, thus keeping his job. Which he still hasn’t accomplished.

I look forward to reading about the stuff you can’t reveal. But I suspect there is going to be information that will explain a hell of lot about why the Sens are in the mess they’re in.

I wonder what power the Board of Directors have at this point, and do we really need to wait for new ownership. Maybe someone can slip this story and accompanying thread to someone on the board.

First off, great piece! That is the first time I have really gotten into and enjoyed a write-up on this site ever.

I haven't followed the Sens overly close but the NHL would be so much more interesting if they were competitive. From the outside looking in, it has always felt like Dorian had some serious dirt on Melnyk. He is easily one of the worst GMs but likely maneuvered Melnyk into a parachute deal if he were to get fired.

Hopefully the Sens end up in the hands of a passive owner who isn't stretching to afford the team and doesn't interfere with the hockey Org.

poop, what are the Sens worth anyway? Trade to get Karlsson back and have him and Alfie as minority owners. That could help secure funding from a pension/investment firm or other wealthy individual looking for a piece of sports ownership like the Lemieux/Burkle deal that brought the Pens back from the dead. Heck, he is an investor and he might be up for a 2.0 venture as he just made a fortune off the Pens deal.