As has been the case at the start of every new NHL season for several years now, it’s almost universally predicted that the Ottawa Senators will finally be good enough again to make the playoffs.
For several seasons now, we’ve been expecting the Senators to finally emerge from their reconstruction.
Yet in each of those years, the opposite has happened, as the team disappoints, and misses the playoffs.
This year, we were all ready to say that it would be different, and that with the team they have, the Senators could only perform.
Well, we may have been wrong again, as after 10 games, the Sens have a 4-6-0 record and are in last place in the Atlantic Division, and last place in the Eastern Association.
It’s not as catastrophic and alarming as the Edmonton Oilers’ or the Calgary Flames’ record, but it’s still a very disappointing start to the season for a team that clearly needs to give more.
Fans are really fed up with seeing their club lose, and it showed last night.
Indeed, the Sens’ 6-4 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning in Ottawa was swallowed whole.
During the game, with the Lightning leading the way, fans were quick to boo the team and chant the name of Sens head coach D.J. Smith.
The D.J. Smith chants are louder than ever.
– ONLYSENATORS (@onlysenators) November 5, 2023
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Fans could be heard chanting “Fire D.J. Smith”.
The Sens coach has been on the outs for some time now, for a variety of reasons, but this is really the end.
Sens are booed off of the ice as they fall to 4-6 on the season. #GoSensGo pic.twitter.com/BJrnil24le
– Everyday Sens (@EverydaySens) November 5, 2023
After team general manager Pierre Dorion, D.J. Smith could be the next to lose his job with the Sens.
What could save Smith, however, is that the players seem to like him.
Even yesterday, after the game, captain Brady Tkachuk was quick to criticize his team’s fans for booing.
Captain Brady Tkachuk didn’t appreciate the boo birds. #Sens pic.twitter.com/KAf4URkADq
– Bruce Garrioch (@SunGarrioch) November 5, 2023
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These are very strong words from the captain.
Imagine if Nick Suzuki said all that after a game, how he’d be crucified in the public square.
Tkachuk was frustrated with the loss, but also frustrated that the fans were booing and making m*rde, to use his words.
He says the team is playing well, giving 100% and working hard.
Even for D.J. Smith, the team is working too hard.
D. J. Smith stated that he feels the team is too tense because they are ‘trying too hard’.
What dimension am I living in?
– Everyday Sens (@EverydaySens) November 5, 2023
Seriously?
In short, things aren’t going well in Ottawa, and they could soon be if performance doesn’t improve.
In a gust
– Despite everything, theteam seems to love playing for Smith, but the results clearly aren’t keeping up.
Brady Tkachuk was upset with fans for booing the team tonight.
Jack and I spoke a ton about this during the pre-game live stream. This core goes to bat for D. J. Smith time and time again. They clearly love playing under him, but where is the accountability?
– Everyday Sens (@EverydaySens) November 5, 2023
– Here’s Brayden Point’s hat trick in this match.
HATTY ALERT 🚨
Brayden Point comes through with three goals for the @TBLightning!
Hat Trick Challenge presented by @AstraZenecaUS pic.twitter.com/qojZgaguit
– NHL (@NHL) November 5, 2023
– It’ll take some big adjustments.
Laval Rocket | A week without a game to make adjustments https://t.co/JtRq8izqHZ
– La Presse Sports (@LaPresse_Sports) November 5, 2023
– Slafkovsky goes down in history for all the wrong reasons. [JDM]
– The abolition of fighting in the QMJHL could affect the number of QMJHL players who reach the NHL. [JDM]