TSN has Ottawa at #11 on this weeks power rankings. They insist that the underlying numbers for the Senators remain very strong and encouraging.

The post game commentary from Red Wings followers is also interesting. Some wonder if physically dominant teams like the Sens pose a special challenge for the Red Wings. I wonder?

TSN has Ottawa at #11 on this weeks power rankings. They insist that the underlying numbers for the Senators remain very strong and encouraging.

The post game commentary from Red Wings followers is also interesting. Some wonder if physically dominant teams like the Sens pose a special challenge for the Red Wings. I wonder?
- spatso

Red Wings fans are more than a bit salty about what happened in this game... their "Locked On" guys basically lost it with the added issue that Joseph was involved. But the fact that the referees downgraded their on-ice call from a 5min major to a pair of minors was pretty telling. It's reminiscent of the Pavelski incident between VGK-SJS in the playoffs a few years back... when the NHL got it dead-wrong, and basically cost VGK their playoffs by calling a completely over-reactionary 5min major in the 3rd period of a Game 7. What Joseph and Kelly did could happen 1000 times and not even be called a penalty in the regular ebb/flow of play in front of the net, let alone result in someone collapsing to the ice unconscious. Hopefully Larkin is okay, as you hate to see anyone in a state like that on the ice. But pretending it was somehow targeted or predatory is just an emotional over-reaction.

Red Wings fans are more than a bit salty about what happened in this game... their "Locked On" guys basically lost it with the added issue that Joseph was involved. But the fact that the referees downgraded their on-ice call from a 5min major to a pair of minors was pretty telling. It's reminiscent of the Pavelski incident between VGK-SJS in the playoffs a few years back... when the NHL got it dead-wrong, and basically cost VGK their playoffs by calling a completely over-reactionary 5min major in the 3rd period of a Game 7. What Joseph and Kelly did could happen 1000 times and not even be called a penalty in the regular ebb/flow of play in front of the net, let alone result in someone collapsing to the ice unconscious. Hopefully Larkin is okay, as you hate to see anyone in a state like that on the ice. But pretending it was somehow targeted or predatory is just an emotional over-reaction.
- khawk

Good call. I thought Joseph was pushing him with his glove and Kelly crashed into the pack in front of the net.I think we see this combination multiple times every game. Normally th impacted player does not stay down.

TSN has Ottawa at #11 on this weeks power rankings. They insist that the underlying numbers for the Senators remain very strong and encouraging.

The post game commentary from Red Wings followers is also interesting. Some wonder if physically dominant teams like the Sens pose a special challenge for the Red Wings. I wonder?
- spatso

The team has certainly looked better the past few games. #11 seems a little high despite that though, and I've been fooled so many times though so I will wait before making any kind of predictions.

Carolina has been struggling this past little while. Not sure if that's a good thing or a bad thing.

Red Wings fans are more than a bit salty about what happened in this game... their "Locked On" guys basically lost it with the added issue that Joseph was involved. But the fact that the referees downgraded their on-ice call from a 5min major to a pair of minors was pretty telling. It's reminiscent of the Pavelski incident between VGK-SJS in the playoffs a few years back... when the NHL got it dead-wrong, and basically cost VGK their playoffs by calling a completely over-reactionary 5min major in the 3rd period of a Game 7. What Joseph and Kelly did could happen 1000 times and not even be called a penalty in the regular ebb/flow of play in front of the net, let alone result in someone collapsing to the ice unconscious. Hopefully Larkin is okay, as you hate to see anyone in a state like that on the ice. But pretending it was somehow targeted or predatory is just an emotional over-reaction.
- khawk

As much as I didn’t really understand some (fringe minority) of the Wings fans reaction to the play, I didn’t really understand some of the Sens fans getting into rants or fiery debates with some of them via twitter, etc.

If Brady went down awkwardly, some (fringe minority) fans will riot. It’s not dissimilar to fans accusing Cooke of purposely slicing Karlsson’s tendon or Hab fans calling the police on Chara when he hit Pacioretty. When your top player goes down, fans will be mad. Even David Perron went off. It’s human nature.

Best to let them vent, move on, and hope your top players stay healthy.

Ive always viewed the red wings on relatively the same trajectory as the sens in a rebuild. However the sens are the the 5th youngest team in the league, while the wings are the 10th oldest. They did add many vets last summer. But how does that leave them long term? Did they compromise the future for the now?

Ive always viewed the red wings on relatively the same trajectory as the sens in a rebuild. However the sens are the the 5th youngest team in the league, while the wings are the 10th oldest. They did add many vets last summer. But how does that leave them long term? Did they compromise the future for the now?
- spazzbot

not sure that Yzerman has yet pushed all his chips into the middle with this team. The trio of goalies they have are NOT "win now" goalies.

Ive always viewed the red wings on relatively the same trajectory as the sens in a rebuild. However the sens are the the 5th youngest team in the league, while the wings are the 10th oldest. They did add many vets last summer. But how does that leave them long term? Did they compromise the future for the now?
- spazzbot

I would argue the Red Wings are actually 2-3yrs behind the likes of OTT/BUF in terms of a legitimate rebuild, but they've added a lot of pieces to put a comparable product on the ice in the interim. If you look at their active roster, they only have one D-man under the age of 27 (Seider), one top-6 forward under the age of 25 (Raymond), and all of their goalies are at least 28. Now there are some nice high-potential young players in their pipeline like Danielsson, Kasper, Edvinsson, Cossa, and Wallinder... but many of those players are still a couple of years away from a meaningful NHL impact. They also have 13 players whose contracts will expire with UFA status either this year or next, which means we really aren't seeing yet what the Red Wings will be in the 2025/26 season, when many of those quality young players are in meaningful roster positions (i.e. where OTT/BUF are now).

Whoever is in charge of defense really needs to be let go. They don't know what they're doing.

Why the F___ is this guy still our coach?

Sens are actually WAY better than this - no one will believe a new coach will make this team WORSE. It will only make them improve, I can bet $$ on it

Attended my first game in years today, and have to say it was a blast, loved the atmosphere. Wish the on ice product could match - there were extended and inexplicable lapses in the Sens' play, and the team completely folded in the second as they are generally inclined to do, and outplayed the Canes in the third without anything to show for it. Korpisalo's stat line was poor, but I don't blame him for this one as the Canes never should have gotten those choice looks. This team struggles with playing consistent systems - it's pretty clear what our next big move is, and it isn't sitting on the bench, it's standing behind it.

Attended my first game in years today, and have to say it was a blast, loved the atmosphere. Wish the on ice product could match - there were extended and inexplicable lapses in the Sens' play, and the team completely folded in the second as they are generally inclined to do, and outplayed the Canes in the third without anything to show for it. Korpisalo's stat line was poor, but I don't blame him for this one as the Canes never should have gotten those choice looks. This team struggles with playing consistent systems - it's pretty clear what our next big move is, and it isn't sitting on the bench, it's standing behind it.
- Bartacus

Good stuff man

Yeah, it's just frustrating and disappointing, team can and should be much better than this! Even if they have an amazing second half, it's too F'ing late

Essentially the second period is poor for the Sens because other teams "adjust". They get blitzed by the Sens speed and skill and "coaching" occurs in between periods. Rob Brind'amour has his team come out and pick off every little back-hand no looker off the wall for the rest of the game. Tim Stutzle is quickly turning into Jason Spezza 2.0. I loved Jason. He NEVER asked for a trade, but he was a turn over machine.

The Sens can't adjust to the adjusting. There's nobody on the bench giving them any kind of direction. At one point they panned to Jacques looking at Alfie with a "wtf?" look. Probably after Chychrun decided to do a line change giving the Canes a 2 on 0. Embarassing peewee level line changing last night.

Hire a GM. Hire a head coach. Fire the whole bench staff. Salvage a season.

Essentially the second period is poor for the Sens because other teams "adjust". They get blitzed by the Sens speed and skill and "coaching" occurs in between periods. Rob Brind'amour has his team come out and pick off every little back-hand no looker off the wall for the rest of the game. Tim Stutzle is quickly turning into Jason Spezza 2.0. I loved Jason. He NEVER asked for a trade, but he was a turn over machine.

The Sens can't adjust to the adjusting. There's nobody on the bench giving them any kind of direction. At one point they panned to Jacques looking at Alfie with a "wtf?" look. Probably after Chychrun decided to do a line change giving the Canes a 2 on 0. Embarassing peewee level line changing last night.

Hire a GM. Hire a head coach. Fire the whole bench staff. Salvage a season.
- Octavarium

Another coach fired (Blues) and yet here we are with DJ still coaching...

Craig Berube Head Coach

1st year - 0.595 winning % - Got to round 1
2nd year - 0.512 winning % - no playoffs (PHI's 3rd scorer Mark Streit)

1st year - turns around STL team - WINS THE STANLEY CUP
2nd year - 0.662 W% - Made playoffs, Got to round 1
3rd year - 0.563 W% - Made playoffs, Got to round 1
4th year - 0.665 W% - Made playoffs, Got to round 2
Last year - missed playoffs (Old aging team in STL)

Has coached Claude Giroux for 7 years in PHI
Has coached Vladimir Tarasenko for 6 years in STL

IMO, no brainer you hire him. He would get this team to the playoffs 100% with health and decent goaltending

If the players want to keep DJ Smith, then why is there no consistent effort for 60 minutes to help keep his job ? It is pretty clear to most that this coaching staff will be gone by year end. So why are they keeping them around? Are we missing something. We've been patient for 6 years now. How much longer ......... maybe the ownership is aiming for a lottery draft pick to try to get 1rst or 2nd picks in the draft ?

I understand we have a lot of games in hand on most teams. But you actually have to consistently win the games to make them count. I see nothing in the way this team plays that can convince me they can win those games in hand and go on a winning bender.

If the players want to keep DJ Smith, then why is there no consistent effort for 60 minutes to help keep his job ? It is pretty clear to most that this coaching staff will be gone by year end. So why are they keeping them around? Are we missing something. We've been patient for 6 years now. How much longer ......... maybe the ownership is aiming for a lottery draft pick to try to get 1rst or 2nd picks in the draft ?

I understand we have a lot of games in hand on most teams. But you actually have to consistently win the games to make them count. I see nothing in the way this team plays that can convince me they can win those games in hand and go on a winning bender.
- OttawaB

100% true. Fans should be outraged. We have been for 6 years in this rebuild - Staios and the owner haven't been!

I believe this is a corporate issue more than a hockey issue. New ownership changes management. It is the responsibility for new management to decide on coaching.

Can Staios fire DJ, hire a new coach and then hire a GM? Maybe, but tricky.

Once the coach is fired: the new ownership group and Staios will own the record going forward.

So, the obvious questions jump to mind. Do they know the GM they want? Is their guy available considering we are well into the season?

Craig Berube Head Coach

1st year - 0.595 winning % - Got to round 1
2nd year - 0.512 winning % - no playoffs (PHI's 3rd scorer Mark Streit)

1st year - turns around STL team - WINS THE STANLEY CUP
2nd year - 0.662 W% - Made playoffs, Got to round 1
3rd year - 0.563 W% - Made playoffs, Got to round 1
4th year - 0.665 W% - Made playoffs, Got to round 2
Last year - missed playoffs (Old aging team in STL)

Has coached Claude Giroux for 7 years in PHI
Has coached Vladimir Tarasenko for 6 years in STL

IMO, no brainer you hire him. He would get this team to the playoffs 100% with health and decent goaltending
- AlfieisKing

I like those numbers
Unfortunately this seasons over. To many teams to pass now...unless they go full hamburgler.
So its doubtful we will see any meaning full changes.

Imo, the players are bs. But i guess its up to the coaching not to make them bs .

I don't even care anymore to be honest.

I believe this is a corporate issue more than a hockey issue. New ownership changes management. It is the responsibility for new management to decide on coaching.

Can Staios fire DJ, hire a new coach and then hire a GM? Maybe, but tricky.

Once the coach is fired: the new ownership group and Staios will own the record going forward.

So, the obvious questions jump to mind. Do they know the GM they want? Is their guy available considering we are well into the season?
- spatso

The new ownership group owns this record now, since they bought the team. Just because you choose not to make changes ... that is on them now. Making "no change" is still making a choice to do nothing. This staff's performance is on them now, because they are the only ones who can hire and fire or stay the course.