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Forums :: Blog World :: Kevin Francis: It's time for Sens management and ownership to be accountable!
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Kevin Francis
Ottawa Senators
Joined: 07.21.2021

Nov 29 @ 6:19 PM ET
Kevin Francis: It's time for Sens management and ownership to be accountable!
SENS-sational
Ottawa Senators
Location: vancouver, BC
Joined: 02.27.2011

Nov 29 @ 6:35 PM ET
Great article. I live in Vancouver can't wait to buy tickets for sens game to sit behind dj Smith and just throw some shade at our coaching style and why he has all these bums/pylons in our lineup. Or should I even waste my money watching the sens this year.
spatso
Ottawa Senators
Location: jensen beach, FL
Joined: 02.19.2007

Nov 29 @ 6:50 PM ET
Not really committed to the idea of everyone piling on. to the overall situation. The Sens have struggled with goalttending. Team defence does not getting fixed overnight.

Yet overall I like the team. In fact, I like this team a lot.

It is a fool's errand to pursue insight, justification or even explanation of exactly what were the misses.

Another top 5 pick works for me.

Kevin Francis
Ottawa Senators
Joined: 07.21.2021

Nov 29 @ 6:56 PM ET
Not really committed to the idea of everyone piling on. to the overall situation. The Sens have struggled with goalttending. Team defence does not getting fixed overnight.

Yet overall I like the team. In fact, I like this team a lot.

It is a fool's errand to pursue insight, justification or even explanation of exactly what were the misses.

Another top 5 pick works for me.

- spatso


Silence is never good when things are going as bad as they've been. Just be transparent, it's not asking for much. Not saying tell us details, but you are in the entertainment business, you need to sell tickets, so tell the people buying tickets what to expect at least with the direction they are going. Tell the fans that you are now shooting for another high draft pick, AZ told their fans this year, tearing it down. Not asking for much.
Kevin Francis
Ottawa Senators
Joined: 07.21.2021

Nov 29 @ 6:57 PM ET
Great article. I live in Vancouver can't wait to buy tickets for sens game to sit behind dj Smith and just throw some shade at our coaching style and why he has all these bums/pylons in our lineup. Or should I even waste my money watching the sens this year.
- SENS-sational


Thanks! I just put out the facts and what's happening. I get a lot of messages on here and just personally on my phone or email. This is the narrative out there, the team needs to hit the reset button a bit for this season and tell the fan base what is happening/direction etc....any team or industry in the entertainment business make sure they try to sell tickets, not the opposite! Silence speaks volumes.
Whatisavailable
Ottawa Senators
Joined: 08.20.2021

Nov 29 @ 7:16 PM ET
Your "Leader of the Lynch Mob" routine is getting a bit tedious, Kevin.

Who cares what the keystone cop twins of Melnyk and Dorion said this summer? If you need assurances from them to feel good about this team's future then I begin to question your overall understanding of the game.

If you want to fix something fix all the friggin ads on this site. I keep getting warnings that your site is trying to load stuff on my phone and laptop without my knowledge or permission - and it's getting worse since your little"Maintenance Day".
Kevin Francis
Ottawa Senators
Joined: 07.21.2021

Nov 29 @ 7:30 PM ET
Your "Leader of the Lynch Mob" routine is getting a bit tedious, Kevin.

Who cares what the keystone cop twins of Melnyk and Dorion said this summer? If you need assurances from them to feel good about this team's future then I begin to question your overall understanding of the game.

If you want to fix something fix all the friggin ads on this site. I keep getting warnings that your site is trying to load stuff on my phone and laptop without my knowledge or permission - and it's getting worse since your little"Maintenance Day".

- Whatisavailable


I don't control the ads on the site or run the site, sorry. Wrong person.

As for my blog, if you think I don't understand the game, then so be it, that's your opinion. But what I'm being told by many fans as well. Did you read Ian Mendes tweet or articles asking similar things from management. Read any of the other mainstream tweets about the team? So I guess they don't understand the game either because they are asking for the same thing.

Simmer had a great tweet asking management to explain how they wasted the return on Ryan Dzingel. those two 2nd round picks were used for Derek Stepan and Matt Murray. But I guess none of us understand the game.

So I guess if a company told you an item you bought this summer would work one way but it didn't, you would be fine with that? So when fans bought season tickets and were led to believe certain things would happen with the teams make up by management and promises by the owner, then it doesn't happen, that it's ok?!
Kevin Francis
Ottawa Senators
Joined: 07.21.2021

Nov 29 @ 7:36 PM ET

If you want to fix something fix all the friggin ads on this site. I keep getting warnings that your site is trying to load stuff on my phone and laptop without my knowledge or permission - and it's getting worse since your little"Maintenance Day".

- Whatisavailable


I didn't know I owned the site! My little maintenance day. Dont state things that are incorrect. I didn't have my little maintenance day, I don't own the site. If you don't like something, don't come back if its doing that to your phone or laptop. I wouldn't want that happening to you.

That is what I do when something happens like that to me, it happened to me with Paypal when they said it was secure and someone got my banking info from a foreign IP address and took money from my account. I don't use Paypal or go to their site anymore. Pretty easy to do. You control what do you do and what you visit on the internet.

Appreciate you always coming into the blogs but the last thing is you shouldn't have your personal info compromised.
Barrykerr1
Joined: 08.06.2014

Nov 29 @ 7:39 PM ET
Very good insight Kevin, it’s good to have our communicator tell it the way he sees it! There is nothing in your post I disagree with, the team is lost and a change is needed. I was hoping the addition of PM would help Dorion but it appears he has no interest in listening to his advise. I think Dorion and Smith need to go but their recent extensions will negate that. I would love to have Luke Richardson as the Sens coach. Maybe one day.
Kevin Francis
Ottawa Senators
Joined: 07.21.2021

Nov 29 @ 7:53 PM ET
Very good insight Kevin, it’s good to have our communicator tell it the way he sees it! There is nothing in your post I disagree with, the team is lost and a change is needed. I was hoping the addition of PM would help Dorion but it appears he has no interest in listening to his advise. I think Dorion and Smith need to go but their recent extensions will negate that. I would love to have Luke Richardson as the Sens coach. Maybe one day.
- Barrykerr1


I had the same idea!!!! Luke Richardson.....would be incredible here and being a former a defenseman he wouldn't let what happened here again like DJ has! Agreed on McGuire, truly disappointed with his silence, the city and market relate to PM well from all his years on Ottawa radio. They are missing the boat on this, if he spoke, fans would listen! It's such a simple fix that way, tell the fanbase what is going on.
Kevin Francis
Ottawa Senators
Joined: 07.21.2021

Nov 29 @ 7:54 PM ET
Very good insight Kevin, it’s good to have our communicator tell it the way he sees it! There is nothing in your post I disagree with, the team is lost and a change is needed. I was hoping the addition of PM would help Dorion but it appears he has no interest in listening to his advise. I think Dorion and Smith need to go but their recent extensions will negate that. I would love to have Luke Richardson as the Sens coach. Maybe one day.
- Barrykerr1



Appreciate the kind words. FYI, I am not being negative as some say, all I stated were facts. In fact, I stated how great this fan base has been in supporting the rebuild, management should be so happy they did, I stated what has happened here and what needs to change. Admit the mistakes and move on, not asking for much.
Whatisavailable
Ottawa Senators
Joined: 08.20.2021

Nov 29 @ 8:08 PM ET
The problem with all these hockey writers is that have to constantly be coming up with new and interesting and informative things to say and that's impossible so they tend to pick up on and repeat whatever the gang is saying and that tends to be repetitive and, in the case of Ottawa, quite negative.

I don't need to be constantly reminded that the team is underperforming or that Melnyk is a skinflint or that Pierre "Proudest Day of my Life" Dorion and Smith are incompetent.

Surely there must be something more interesting to write about! Or is it that you get a better response from piling on? Wouldn't surprise me.

Anyway I usually enjoy visiting and occasionally commenting and, not to worry, my stuff is pretty safe.
Gord_Wilson_2.0
Ottawa Senators
Joined: 10.11.2011

Nov 29 @ 8:15 PM ET
Good blog as usual. I don't think anyone had playoff aspirations this year, but being competitive was an aspiration and was fuelled by management and ownership. Someone has to take accountability for the slow start.

Personally, I'm done with Dorion. He's a Melnyk "yes" man. I'd just throw McGuire in there as GM and see what he can do. Worse case, that blows up too and you try something else.
Only_A_Ladd
Los Angeles Kings
Location: Sabres VERY Much in Hellebuyck Hearing they are the closest treat to getting a deal…bu a mile., CA
Joined: 06.06.2013

Nov 29 @ 8:27 PM ET
The problem with all these hockey writers is that have to constantly be coming up with new and interesting and informative things to say and that's impossible so they tend to pick up on and repeat whatever the gang is saying and that tends to be repetitive and, in the case of Ottawa, quite negative.

I don't need to be constantly reminded that the team is underperforming or that Melnyk is a skinflint or that Pierre "Proudest Day of my Life" Dorion and Smith are incompetent.

Surely there must be something more interesting to write about! Or is it that you get a better response from piling on? Wouldn't surprise me.

Anyway I usually enjoy visiting and occasionally commenting and, not to worry, my stuff is pretty safe.

- Whatisavailable


I don't get why someone reading free content feels compelled to make backhanded personal attacks on a writer or a poster. If you don't like it, then don't read it so you won't be "reminded" of the team's direction.

As for the topic: the only thing worse than repeated rebuilds is an aimless rebuild because it kills hope and enjoyment. That's where the Sens are right now. This is a leadership issue, and it has been that way for years. Sad. Sens fans deserve better as Ottawa is a true hockey market.

Good blog. I enjoy your stuff.
Kevin Francis
Ottawa Senators
Joined: 07.21.2021

Nov 29 @ 8:36 PM ET
The problem with all these hockey writers is that have to constantly be coming up with new and interesting and informative things to say and that's impossible so they tend to pick up on and repeat whatever the gang is saying and that tends to be repetitive and, in the case of Ottawa, quite negative.

I don't need to be constantly reminded that the team is underperforming or that Melnyk is a skinflint or that Pierre "Proudest Day of my Life" Dorion and Smith are incompetent.

Surely there must be something more interesting to write about! Or is it that you get a better response from piling on? Wouldn't surprise me.

Anyway I usually enjoy visiting and occasionally commenting and, not to worry, my stuff is pretty safe.

- Whatisavailable


But this is where you are wrong, I took an approach to detail how patient the fans have been, stated facts. Media arent just writing the same thing, nor should you want anyone to stop writing facts. See, if all the media in this town were subjective, ownership and management would never think anything was wrong and they would continue to take advantage of the fanbase.

This is why a lot of media are turning the heat up on Dorion and Melnyk, to hold them accountable, otherwise they would just do as they please if they thought the fans and media were fine with another bottom 5 finish. That is pro sports, you are going to go through phases when its positive, but also when its negative. Sports fans have to be able to take both, deal with both.

For instance, if I had an Italian restaurant and all my customers never really said anything to me, I would think the food is great. But if the started complaining about the quality of the food, then I would make sure to change it, so they would return as regular customers. So if Euguen thinks all is ok, he will go about his business with the team as if everything is ok!
Kevin Francis
Ottawa Senators
Joined: 07.21.2021

Nov 29 @ 8:41 PM ET
Good blog as usual. I don't think anyone had playoff aspirations this year, but being competitive was an aspiration and was fuelled by management and ownership. Someone has to take accountability for the slow start.

Personally, I'm done with Dorion. He's a Melnyk "yes" man. I'd just throw McGuire in there as GM and see what he can do. Worse case, that blows up too and you try something else.

- Gord_Wilson_2.0


Thanks for the kind words. Exactly, you nailed it. In any job, upper management has to take accountability. Let's say I made microwaves and nobody bought them, then I guess I messed up and there is a serious problem as all the people who put money into it would be pissed with me for letting them down, not living up to expectations!

But it's becoming increasingly clear that Dorion is a yes man. Simmer said it beston twitter the other day, saying what rookie NHL coach would be given carte blanche by the GM? Dorion diid it with Guy Boucher and that blew up eventually. Same thing with DJ! DJ wanted Hainsey, Zaitsev and JBrown.....he went on record saying this, now look at the contracts that we are saddled with.
Kevin Francis
Ottawa Senators
Joined: 07.21.2021

Nov 29 @ 8:46 PM ET
I don't get why someone reading free content feels compelled to make backhanded personal attacks on a writer or a poster. If you don't like it, then don't read it so you won't be "reminded" of the team's direction.

As for the topic: the only thing worse than repeated rebuilds is an aimless rebuild because it kills hope and enjoyment. That's where the Sens are right now. This is a leadership issue, and it has been that way for years. Sad. Sens fans deserve better as Ottawa is a true hockey market.

Good blog. I enjoy your stuff.

- Only_A_Ladd


Thanks for jumping in the discussion. I appreciate the kind words but I also value an outsiders opinion because they are objective with no skin in the game as they say!

Sadly, you have to have a thick skin doing anything like this. It sucks though that people need to attack you, my kids read it too, but people never empathize or take that into account, they just want to attack these days.

But you said it very really well, it kills hope and enjoyment of the team when the same crap happens over and over. We truly do deserve better here as this city is waiting to embrace a winner, but they were told the rebuild is over and playoff contention is coming, problem is, that seems far away due to the construction of the roster. Hope to see you in here more. All the best.
Whatisavailable
Ottawa Senators
Joined: 08.20.2021

Nov 29 @ 9:48 PM ET
But this is where you are wrong, I took an approach to detail how patient the fans have been, stated facts. Media arent just writing the same thing, nor should you want anyone to stop writing facts. See, if all the media in this town were subjective, ownership and management would never think anything was wrong and they would continue to take advantage of the fanbase.

This is why a lot of media are turning the heat up on Dorion and Melnyk, to hold them accountable, otherwise they would just do as they please if they thought the fans and media were fine with another bottom 5 finish. That is pro sports, you are going to go through phases when its positive, but also when its negative. Sports fans have to be able to take both, deal with both.

For instance, if I had an Italian restaurant and all my customers never really said anything to me, I would think the food is great. But if the started complaining about the quality of the food, then I would make sure to change it, so they would return as regular customers. So if Euguen thinks all is ok, he will go about his business with the team as if everything is ok!

- Kevin Francis

I have posted comments in the past where I have stated that Pierre"Proudest Day of my Life" Dorion really worries me because of what I consider to be gross incompetence. If you turn up the heat on this guy will that turn him into a better GM or will concern for his job cause him to do something monumentally stupid?

Is Smith ever going to see anything outside of his judgement of what is the safest thing to do. The only reason he started playing the younger guys last year is because he didn't have any choice. He's not going to change all of a sudden.

It wasn't that long ago that people were applauding the Dorion and Smith extensions.

Then there's Melnyk. Who the hell knows what's percolating in that hockey genius's mind?

I feel much safer with Melnyk and Dorion doing nothing other than getting rid of Smith.

Lastly I've often agreed with things you've written in the past. We're not always going to agree. I don't know anyone whom I always agree with. Maybe I should be more like Pierre McGuire?

Kevin Francis
Ottawa Senators
Joined: 07.21.2021

Nov 29 @ 9:50 PM ET
I have posted comments in the past where I have stated that Pierre"Proudest Day of my Life" Dorion really worries me because of what I consider to be gross incompetence. If you turn up the heat on this guy will that turn him into a better GM or will concern for his job cause him to do something monumentally stupid?

Is Smith ever going to see anything outside of his judgement of what is the safest thing to do. The only reason he started playing the younger guys last year is because he didn't have any choice. He's not going to change all of a sudden.

It wasn't that long ago that people were applauding the Dorion and Smith extensions.

Then there's Melnyk. Who the hell knows what's percolating in that hockey genius's mind?

I feel much safer with Melnyk and Dorion doing nothing other than getting rid of Smith.

Lastly I've often agreed with things you've written in the past. We're not always going to agree. I don't know anyone whom I always agree with. Maybe I should be more like Pierre McGuire?

- Whatisavailable


Sorry just got the kids in bed after their sports. But yes, I agree, nobody is always going to agree. Gotta walk dog. I will reply to ya after.
HenryHockey
Season Ticket Holder
Detroit Red Wings
Location: Gwinn, MI
Joined: 01.26.2020

Nov 29 @ 9:59 PM ET
Some speculation has E Kane headed your way!
dcz28
Detroit Red Wings
Location: Ottawa, ON
Joined: 08.20.2006

Nov 29 @ 10:14 PM ET
The problem with all these hockey writers is that have to constantly be coming up with new and interesting and informative things to say and that's impossible so they tend to pick up on and repeat whatever the gang is saying and that tends to be repetitive and, in the case of Ottawa, quite negative.

I don't need to be constantly reminded that the team is underperforming or that Melnyk is a skinflint or that Pierre "Proudest Day of my Life" Dorion and Smith are incompetent.

Surely there must be something more interesting to write about! Or is it that you get a better response from piling on? Wouldn't surprise me.

Anyway I usually enjoy visiting and occasionally commenting and, not to worry, my stuff is pretty safe.


Whatisavailable


What positives is there to write about? The team is dead last (even worst than Arizona that is tanking on purpose). Aside from the production of the top line, guys like Chabot/Zub on the backend there isn't much positive to talk about. Sens have lost 5 games in a row but you expect him to write some positive fluff piece?

The GM comes out and says the rebuild is over and they haven't even taken a step forward. He deserves heat for that and the fans deserve answers. The fact is he isn't really trying to improve the team. He needs to at least be trying to improve this team even if it is just minor low risk moves that fit into the building of the team.

Wings have been far from a great team but at least Yzerman has tried to improve this team every season with moves that fit the age group or shore up holes in the roster at low costs. This off-season he signed Suter, Oesterle, traded for Stephens, Nedeljkovic and Leddy. None of these moves are big moves (well maybe the Ned one was/is) but they still show he is trying to fill holes and improve the team.
SENS-sational
Ottawa Senators
Location: vancouver, BC
Joined: 02.27.2011

Nov 29 @ 11:11 PM ET
Sens might circulate back to Jake debrusk as they did in the off season. - Bruce garrioch
Bartacus
Ottawa Senators
Location: Toronto, ON
Joined: 01.08.2019

Nov 30 @ 7:44 AM ET
Has Pierre McGuire spoken at length to the media at all this season? Dawns on me that since he took the Sens job I've never heard his voice once. I figure he was always paid to talk before, but now he's paid to be invisible.
Bartacus
Ottawa Senators
Location: Toronto, ON
Joined: 01.08.2019

Nov 30 @ 7:51 AM ET
Shawn Simpson at TSN notes Ottawa is possibly looking to buy out several contracts - Zaitsev, White, Murray, and Del Zotto. Apparently also willing to eat half of Murray's salary in any trade. All Dorion deals, needless to say.
spazzbot
Location: Maple Zombie
Joined: 02.14.2013

Nov 30 @ 8:49 AM ET
Another November another season done all ready. But keep being told we will be competitive next year and stay the course, keep the faith. ...snake oil.
Imo Dorion is not the right person for the rebuild job , and to be fair i am not sure who could be given the ownership.. none the less
He has preformed his job. And i would like to take the time to thank him for his years of service. And wish him the best of luck in his next procurement.

Ditto dj smith.
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