Kevin Francis: Sens sweep Oilers season series/DJ Smith vs. Lassi Thomson!

From an Oilers perspective, Kane was nowhere to be found in Ottawa...paging Evander Kane! But when looking at the Oilers defense, there is no way this team can win a playoff round the way it stands now. Couple that with the depth they have at forward in their bottom 6 and this Oilers team will struggle to make the playoffs unless Ken Holland addresses a few needs by the trade deadline.

At times of injury, it’s often times of opportunity for other players. With all the injuries to the teams centre, it’s provided an opportunity for Stu to play centre and now run with the #1C position. I had doubts the Sens would ever play him as centre, but there is no going back now. Playing with a quality winger in Brady has elevated his game. Next season, Stu could likely push the 90-point plateau.

Matt Murray deserves some credit. He has been solid ever since injuries started to mount. Will be interesting to see if this is a streak or what we can all expect.

Good win by the whole team last night. First time I have seen the Sens contain the Oilers superstars effectively.

From an Oilers perspective, Kane was nowhere to be found in Ottawa...paging Evander Kane! But when looking at the Oilers defense, there is no way this team can win a playoff round the way it stands now. Couple that with the depth they have at forward in their bottom 6 and this Oilers team will struggle to make the playoffs unless Ken Holland addresses a few needs by the trade deadline.
- Kevin Francis

Ummm... Kane had 3 shots and 4 hits.
Only his second game on a new system, still playing 18+ minutes and 3+ minutes on the PP. Not a fan of the guy but that's not invisible.

Not surprise by the toi of Thomson. You can see after the middle of the first, that he don’t have tonight. Oilers was all over him. He was slow to react and lose puck battle. DJ know how recognize when the kids don’t have and protect them to lose confidence. He don’t complain about J,Brown and ours vet, because this player have no future here.

Good for the Sens. If they keep playing like this. They will be outside of a top 10 pick. I think that would be good . They could put that pick into trade play then.
Now the real test with a depleted team begins. Line changes on the road.

Brown takes a lot of crap from the fan base, and he deserves a lot of it, but I thought last night was one of his better performances. The -1 was not his fault as Zub changed even though the puck did not get in deep, leaving a huge gap that McDavid skated through. Brown came full speed from the bench but he was not going to catch McDavid. The other thing that affected Thomson's ice time was the coach reuniting Chabot and Brannstrom for a number of shifts.

I’m ok with sending Thomson down let him play with JBD as this year is a wash let them start next year fresh ,and just let them play a few games when needed 🤷‍♂️
Stutzle is just a pure Gem 💎
He plays 110% every game 🤙
The more I watch Brannstrom play the more I want this kid here he’s doing everything the right way.
Like it or not DJ has these kids playing for eachother 🤷‍♂️ So I say he’s doing his job
Let’s just hope PD don’t fk this up next year and bring in run down vets again enough is enough we need quality players who can play top 6 minutes and keep up with the kids 👍

"Sadly this coach needs to be taken to task by Sens GM Pierre Dorion in regards to how Thomson is being handled, as this fanbase has been told by both the coaching staff and management that you will see a youth movement. Enough is enough, let the kids play and stop playing Brown who is a fringe NHL defenseman at best."

While your scout source is bang on, I am doubtful it is solely for the purposes of ruining young player's careers. The discrepancy in ice time you are using as your line of critique is, largely, for two reasons:

1. Brown plays on the side of the ice further from the bench and more likely to get stuck on the ice for longer periods in between line changes than his partner, especially given how quickly Edmonton transitioned the puck in the neutral zone last night causing Brown to get hemmed in a lot on some plays. That would account for 2-3 minutes of additional time over the course of a game. You can see the trend in ice time distribution for those on the far side from the bench (Chabot, Brannstrom, Brown) always being higher relative to their partners (Zub, Holden, Thomson) throughout the game. It is a fairly consistent distribution.

2. Brown played about a 1:30 on the PK while Thomson had no shift assignments for that.

On the scout's comments front, I believe part of the reason why is because it is trade deadline season and they will be looking to profile more D men like Zaitsev and Brown and Mete who may have more value to the team now as trade assets as teams load up in Feb/Mar.

It may be partial favoritism (or merit, Zaitsev has had a pretty decent season this year when healthy) but I don't see how Dorion would be mad if he plays decently and is getting at least some interest from that come deadline day.

Thomson will get a regular shift here once the trade deadline passes, JBD and others (Sanderson....oh, man) too.

The ice time allocations and roster will look so different by the end of this season, in particular when Sanderson comes in fresh off the Olympics and riding high.

A+ for Zuuuuuub's commentary.

Love this team.

I thought Smith coached a superb game against a lethal offensive team. Hard to get kids to make a full commitment to playing a quality defensive game.

Highlight of the game (for me) was Stutzle coming back hard and breaking up the play on the Edmonton attack. It looked like a sure goal coming for the Oilers. I have said it before. Stutzle always puts me in mind of Hossa. But, I thought Hossa had a larger physical game. After last night I am not so sure.

Be patient, these kids are being developed the right way.

Love this team.

Highlight of the game (for me) was Stutzle coming back hard and breaking up the play on the Edmonton attack. It looked like a sure goal coming for the Oilers. I have said it before. Stutzle always puts me in mind of Hossa. But, I thought Hossa had a larger physical game. After last night I am not so sure.
- spatso

Hossa was definitely more of a solid physical package... then again, Stutzle just turned 20 a couple weeks back, and is still listed at <190lbs. Put 10-15lbs of muscle on the kid, and you could see a more comparable physical ability develop. More important, though, is how much he's effectively using his speed at both ends of the ice. He's still a bit manic at times, but the rate of improvement has really taken off since he took over at C. Plus, that GWG in OT was just world-class... exactly the kind of game-breaking play they really need from him.

On that play you described and the over time.....Stutzle's cardio was on full display.

On the back check play he had already flown up the ice once on his own rush.....came back hard...broke up the play and flew BACK up the ice again. I was just amazed. Almost three full length top speed rushes in a row. Amazing.

Why play Forsberg in net 🤦‍♂️
Ya paying Murray 6+million play him I don’t give rats ass if it’s bk to bk game … he needs to earn his money play him 50 games minimum 🤷‍♂️
And yes I get they need to showcase him 🤦‍♂️

I will reply to the comments later, just at work. So DJ takes Thomson out of the lineup tonight, unreal! He says it's due to a back to back and he's tired lol! Let's see he played 10 minutes last night and has a 6 day allstar break after tonight....hmmm....I wish someone on that Sens radio broadcasts would follow up their question and take DJ to task, but heaven forbid they did their job!

Why play Forsberg in net 🤦‍♂️
Ya paying Murray 6+million play him I don’t give rats ass if it’s bk to bk game … he needs to earn his money play him 50 games minimum 🤷‍♂️
And yes I get they need to showcase him 🤦‍♂️
- sens4life1971

Did you hear Dean Brown say today, that DJ says he knows nothing about goalies so he listens to his goalie coach???? I was stunned, like really.....can you imagine a head coach in any other sport saying, you know what I don't what my defensive lineman do, so I don't question my DC ever, he get to make all the decisions lol.....it would never happen in the NFL, or MLB or the NBA for that matter.

Murray should be playing tonight, he has 6 days off after this! End of story.

Kevin, it is obvious you have an extreme dislike for DJ Smith and you won't be satisfied until he is fired, or better still, I imagine in your mind, put to death, lol. I think he has done an admirable job in developing our young players. The results are there. You see it in Brannstrom, JBD, Thomson etc. As for the comment on his belief that Zac Bierk knows more about goaltenders than he does, I frankly find that very refreshing. I want a HC who trusts his coaches and listens to what they have to say, and is not too insecure to admit he uses their expertise. I'm pleased to see that some of the people who comment are blowing back on your anti DJ rants and doing so in a respectful way. I, myself, am extremely happy with DJ and the way he is leading this young group. Will he make mistakes? Of course he will. But he has them playing hard and to an identity which, hopefully, will lead this group to the ultimate prize. Go Sens Go!

Kevin, it is obvious you have an extreme dislike for DJ Smith and you won't be satisfied until he is fired, or better still, I imagine in your mind, put to death, lol. I think he has done an admirable job in developing our young players. The results are there. You see it in Brannstrom, JBD, Thomson etc. As for the comment on his belief that Zac Bierk knows more about goaltenders than he does, I frankly find that very refreshing. I want a HC who trusts his coaches and listens to what they have to say, and is not too insecure to admit he uses their expertise. I'm pleased to see that some of the people who comment are blowing back on your anti DJ rants and doing so in a respectful way. I, myself, am extremely happy with DJ and the way he is leading this young group. Will he make mistakes? Of course he will. But he has them playing hard and to an identity which, hopefully, will lead this group to the ultimate prize. Go Sens Go!
- The Pintonater

Good post, very well said 👍👍👍

A+ for Zuuuuuub's commentary.

Love this team.

I thought Smith coached a superb game against a lethal offensive team. Hard to get kids to make a full commitment to playing a quality defensive game.

Highlight of the game (for me) was Stutzle coming back hard and breaking up the play on the Edmonton attack. It looked like a sure goal coming for the Oilers. I have said it before. Stutzle always puts me in mind of Hossa. But, I thought Hossa had a larger physical game. After last night I am not so sure.

Be patient, these kids are being developed the right way.

Love this team.
- spatso

Cheers!

Also wondering what people think of the Jordan Greenway contract in MIN (3yr/$9M) as a parallel for Nick Paul's contract negotiation this season. 3 yr / 3.0 AAV would be a good value I believe given we would be buying all UFA years now. He's not quite worth that based on his performance to date but gotta show we will pay for hard working talent.

Cheers!

Also wondering what people think of the Jordan Greenway contract in MIN (3yr/$9M) as a parallel for Nick Paul's contract negotiation this season. 3 yr / 3.0 AAV would be a good value I believe given we would be buying all UFA years now. He's not quite worth that based on his performance to date but gotta show we will pay for hard working talent.
- Zuuuuuuuuuuuuuub

Nick Paul at $3m is very good value.

But! Nick Paul will draw a lot of attention at the trade deadline. Is he worthy of a late first round pick? Connor Brown will definitely bring offers.

"Sadly this coach needs to be taken to task by Sens GM Pierre Dorion in regards to how Thomson is being handled, as this fanbase has been told by both the coaching staff and management that you will see a youth movement. Enough is enough, let the kids play and stop playing Brown who is a fringe NHL defenseman at best."

While your scout source is bang on, I am doubtful it is solely for the purposes of ruining young player's careers. The discrepancy in ice time you are using as your line of critique is, largely, for two reasons:

1. Brown plays on the side of the ice further from the bench and more likely to get stuck on the ice for longer periods in between line changes than his partner, especially given how quickly Edmonton transitioned the puck in the neutral zone last night causing Brown to get hemmed in a lot on some plays. That would account for 2-3 minutes of additional time over the course of a game. You can see the trend in ice time distribution for those on the far side from the bench (Chabot, Brannstrom, Brown) always being higher relative to their partners (Zub, Holden, Thomson) throughout the game. It is a fairly consistent distribution.

2. Brown played about a 1:30 on the PK while Thomson had no shift assignments for that.

On the scout's comments front, I believe part of the reason why is because it is trade deadline season and they will be looking to profile more D men like Zaitsev and Brown and Mete who may have more value to the team now as trade assets as teams load up in Feb/Mar.

It may be partial favoritism (or merit, Zaitsev has had a pretty decent season this year when healthy) but I don't see how Dorion would be mad if he plays decently and is getting at least some interest from that come deadline day.

Thomson will get a regular shift here once the trade deadline passes, JBD and others (Sanderson....oh, man) too.

The ice time allocations and roster will look so different by the end of this season, in particular when Sanderson comes in fresh off the Olympics and riding high.
- Zuuuuuuuuuuuuuub

I doubt any team wants an AHL level defenseman in Brown for the playoffs. Doubt playoff teams with little cap space are looking to add Zaitsev and his contract for the next few years. Mete maybe but for a smaller defenseman he isn't exactly producing much. Really none of these guys should be blocking any younger players if those younger players are NHL ready or need NHL experience.

Your GM needs to step in and take away your coach's favorite toy (Brown) and just waive him so the coach can't use him and force him to play someone better. Brown has no value around the league and no future with your team.

What a poop game 🤦‍♂️

Ya.
Tkachuk looks tired.
They all do. THey'd better rest up, it aint any easier the rest of the way.

Kevin.
Keep pointing all the failings of this coach please. Im done letting this owner off the hook for cheap stupid hires. DJ is a Junior coach out of his depth. Stifling the rebuild. He needs to go.

The Sens seem to be playing with more of an edge since the Buffalo game. I think getting pushed around made them wake up that area of the game.. i like it

Ya.
Tkachuk looks tired.
They all do. THey'd better rest up, it aint any easier the rest of the way.

Kevin.
Keep pointing all the failings of this coach please. Im done letting this owner off the hook for cheap stupid hires. DJ is a Junior coach out of his depth. Stifling the rebuild. He needs to go.
- Octavarium

No don't please lol, I am talking in betting language though. This coach has no concept on who and when to start a goalie so for us betting people, he is gold. I kid you not, I wouldn't have bet NYI last night if Murray was in goal due to how well has played since mid January. I bet against Ottawa on Saturday too. Forsberg has allowed plenty of weak goals his last 4 starts. But in all seriousness, if I am a Sens fan, you are correct in wanting him out after this year. He isn't the coach to take them the playoffs. Smith is a nice place holder until they hire a Claude Julien or Paul Maurice. Or will your owner put his money where is mouth is and hire someone that will get this team to unparalleled success? Giving big contracts to your stars doesn't mean success, you need the proper coaches guiding the players and from an outsider that follows the Canadian team, Smith is out of his league, he reminds me of Ducharme in Montral.

What a poop game 🤦‍♂️
- sens4life1971

It was, but as a bettor I love it. Your coach did nothing to ignite his team. Change the lines or better yet start your hot goalie. Putting Forsberg in is telling your players that he isn't putting them in the best possible position to win in my eyes. Had Murray been in there, it might've given the players the extra boost or confidence that the coach was coaching to win that game. As a coach, you coach to win the next game and move on to the next tilt. Forsberg in goal was telling me they were getting ready for the All-Star break.