Confirmed with Link: Boucher: to return or not to return, that is the question

[BonkTastic]

Why do you guys think Boucher lost the room? I dunno, seems like he's super players' coach. Maybe even too much.

Ok, maybe "lost the room" was too broad and harsh on my part, and not as descriptive as I wanted it to be.

More specifically - I wonder if players have lost confidence in Boucher's "system" to deliver consistent results, and as such, maybe part of the reason this past season was as catastrophic as it was is because there were guys on the team who weren't fully buying in, and Boucher's "system" requires total comitment.

If Boucher changes things up, that could be the refresher needed. Still... I don't know why we didn't at the very least bring in one new assistant coach. Just get a guy who is a special-teams specialist. One more assistant coach isn't going to bankrupt the franchise.


I'll also say this - just my opinion here, but Boucher staying doesn't fill me with a ton of confidence in Karlsson staying. I don't know why. Just a bad feeling.

 

[Nac Mac Feegle]

Ok, maybe "lost the room" was too broad and harsh on my part, and not as descriptive as I wanted it to be.

More specifically - I wonder if players have lost confidence in Boucher's "system" to deliver consistent results, and as such, maybe part of the reason this past season was as catastrophic as it was is because there were guys on the team who weren't fully buying in, and Boucher's "system" requires total comitment.

If Boucher changes things up, that could be the refresher needed. Still... I don't know why we didn't at the very least bring in one new assistant coach. Just get a guy who is a special-teams specialist. One more assistant coach isn't going to bankrupt the franchise.


I'll also say this - just my opinion here, but Boucher staying doesn't fill me with a ton of confidence in Karlsson staying. I don't know why. Just a bad feeling.

That's the big flaw in the system. It's virtually impossible for humans to be perfect and on their A game all the time. There has to be wiggle room for human error/fatigue/etc.

 

[otown]

That's the big flaw in the system. It's virtually impossible for humans to be perfect and on their A game all the time. There has to be wiggle room for human error/fatigue/etc.

Not much wiggle room left for a power play that has had 2 years to develop and still stinks! Boucher had input last season and things didn't improve at all.
Could be his demise next fall if things don't improve quickly. Dorion will be quick to pull the plug.

 

[slamigo]

Well, the players know that Boucher is on incredibly thin ice. How exactly does that translate into 'buying into the system'?
Dorion caused this mess with his comments and now he has a lame-duck coaching staff. It's just asinine. Once Dorion publicly humiliated the coach, that should have been the moment that the coaching staff was fired. Or better still, don't run off at the mouth to begin with if there is any chance you're keeping the coaching staff intact.

 

[BonkTastic]

Well, the players know that Boucher is on incredibly thin ice. How exactly does that translate into 'buying into the system'?
Dorion caused this mess with his comments and now he has a lame-duck coaching staff. It's just asinine. Once Dorion publicly humiliated the coach, that should have been the moment that the coaching staff was fired. Or better still, don't run off at the mouth to begin with if there is any chance you're keeping the coaching staff intact.

These are the downsides to P.R. Dorion's Nonstop Cavalcade of Hype.

 

[BonkTastic]

Also: tons of people have mentioned it, but just so that we're clear - dumping Kleinendorst from the B-Sens is huge news, and a welcome breath of fresh air.

He's not a terrible coach for a veteran team. I'm sure he'll have success somewhere else, as long as that "somewhere else" isn't trying to develop a bunch of kids playing their first years of pro hockey. Hope he lands on his feet and finds himself a team full of divorced guys who play triceps, biceps, arseps hard.

 

[bert]

I think a lot of posters wanted him gone, but suspected he'd stay due to a plethora of reasons. It's not like you were one of the only ones who predicted he would stay.

But whatever makes you feel good, i guess.

Exactly. We all knew in all likely hood he would be back, we just didnt want it to be true.

 

[bert]

KK was garbage and did nothing productive for this organisation. Glad he's gone. Whichever pylon here was defending him earlier in the week to me - thank u for being so incredibly pompous & confident in his ability.


Boucher won't last until christmas btw. Wish Dorion had the stones to give him the boot now.

Which means it will be a lost season, plus the amount of qualified candidates to replace him will be few and far between compared to right now.

The smart thing to do would be to give up the pick, its a pathetic situation and this team is going no where so its really the best choice from an asset management situation. However I do expect them to fully keep the pick then bottom out at that point when they finish dead last with no first maybe we will see some change. It will feel like rock bottom when Dorion gets ripped off in the Karlsson trade but nothing will feel worse than finishing last without your first pick. I have absolutely no faith in this organization to make the correct moves.

 

[Ray Kinsella]

Just lie and say you are keeping Boucher and then fire him if someone you like more pops up on the radar.

Lol

 

[bert]

ya god forbid the players not be held accountable. Is losing Methot the reason we went from ECF to 2nd last?

So many years we have changed coaches its time for the players to sack up. This is a roster that should have been competing

Agreed but having the strategy of not having the puck is not the way to go. Both need changing.

 

[Ray Kinsella]

Ok, maybe "lost the room" was too broad and harsh on my part, and not as descriptive as I wanted it to be.

More specifically - I wonder if players have lost confidence in Boucher's "system" to deliver consistent results, and as such, maybe part of the reason this past season was as catastrophic as it was is because there were guys on the team who weren't fully buying in, and Boucher's "system" requires total comitment.

If Boucher changes things up, that could be the refresher needed. Still... I don't know why we didn't at the very least bring in one new assistant coach. Just get a guy who is a special-teams specialist. One more assistant coach isn't going to bankrupt the franchise.


I'll also say this - just my opinion here, but Boucher staying doesn't fill me with a ton of confidence in Karlsson staying. I don't know why. Just a bad feeling.

Agreed with at least a new assistant coach.

 

[Punchbowl]

Well, the players know that Boucher is on incredibly thin ice. How exactly does that translate into 'buying into the system'?
Dorion caused this mess with his comments and now he has a lame-duck coaching staff. It's just asinine. Once Dorion publicly humiliated the coach, that should have been the moment that the coaching staff was fired. Or better still, don't run off at the mouth to begin with if there is any chance you're keeping the coaching staff intact.

This is what baffles me far more than Boucher staying.

Boucher knows his career is in jeopardy and that has to be some pretty damn good incentive to reinvent his system. But Dorion has been so open about potentially canning Boucher that I would have little confidence in the man's ability were I an Ottawa Senator.

Dorion's put the noose around Boucher's neck and then shoved him back into the coach's position. Why publicly question his competence as a coach and then give him another chance?

It's strikes me as totally thoughtless.

 

[Langdon Alger]

poor sens..

Yeah, we’ll you guys are stuck with Bergevin. I guess we’re both in unenviable positions.

 

[toxic poster]

Which means it will be a lost season, plus the amount of qualified candidates to replace him will be few and far between compared to right now.

The smart thing to do would be to give up the pick, its a pathetic situation and this team is going no where so its really the best choice from an asset management situation. However I do expect them to fully keep the pick then bottom out at that point when they finish dead last with no first maybe we will see some change. It will feel like rock bottom when Dorion gets ripped off in the Karlsson trade but nothing will feel worse than finishing last without your first pick. I have absolutely no faith in this organization to make the correct moves.

yeah i dont think most fans realize this most likely isn't the WORST of things to come for this team. we're going to be a bottom feeder for atleast 3 season the way things are looking - and we won't be spending $$ any time soon so I think it's fair to say we are in huge turmoil. not sure if i agree w/ giving up the pick though, i'd rather not play 82 games and then the lottery when we're guaranteed a top4 pick. just accept it's a dead asset and move on imo. you have two first rounders this year so do a lot with them and hopefully then we will start to build up a solid prospect pool

 

[Sensung]

It's interesting that when Dorion held his press conference there were some posters willing to defend his performance and yet this thread has yet to have a single poster agree with how he has handled Boucher and this decision.

Some are making the case for Boucher being retained and I can see some merit in that position, but no one seems to feel that Dorion's performance here is worthy of praise.

 

[Ice-Tray]

Just accept it. Next year will be a lost year if Karlsson isn't back.. even if he is things don't look great. It'll be kind of a rebuild year -1. Burn years off of terrible contracts Dorion/Murray signed and wait for terrible coach's contract to expire. Hopefully after 2 basement years, Melnyk actually fires Dorion and we get a reset.

Or, we could approach the draft with anticipation, knowing that we're going to add an excellent young player who will slot into our top prospect immediately, as well as another late first, and then we'll move into our first franchise defining off season. As a sports fan this is the most exciting off season that this team has ever had!

Are you really not able to muster excitement for any of this?

 

[RAFI BOMB]

Boucher doesn't deserve to be back. He has like 9 lives. He should have been fired in December and got more opportunities and proved he couldn't do anything with it.

The silver lining is that this is make or break for Boucher. He is in the final year of his contract so he will feel the pressure to prove that he is deserving of getting an extension. On top of that if he gets fired this will likely be the end of his chances to be a head coach in the NHL for a very long time. Boucher will basically be coaching for his career this season and if he can't step up he will be done as an NHL coach for years to come.

 

[bert]

Or, we could approach the draft with anticipation, knowing that we're going to add an excellent young player who will slot into our top prospect immediately, as well as another late first, and then we'll move into our first franchise defining off season. As a sports fan this is the most exciting off season that this team has ever had!

Are you really not able to muster excitement for any of this?

The most exciting offseason is trading the best player in franchise history in his prime bottoming out with a first? Hahaha you have a warped sense of excitement. Actually more like pure dilusion. No im not excited about Dorion being at the helm for this.

 

[Upgrayedd]

Or, we could approach the draft with anticipation, knowing that we're going to add an excellent young player who will slot into our top prospect immediately, as well as another late first, and then we'll move into our first franchise defining off season. As a sports fan this is the most exciting off season that this team has ever had!

Are you really not able to muster excitement for any of this?

Replace it with terrifying and then I would agree with you, im not excited that the team I love and have followed for my entire life has entered a stage where only the owner's personal finances matter.

 

[Ice-Tray]

The most exciting offseason is trading the best player in franchise history in his prime bottoming out with a first? Hahaha you have a warped sense of excitement. Actually more like pure dilusion. No im not excited about Dorion being at the helm for this.

Wow, I guess I should try harder to be miserable, you give solid lessons so maybe you can help

I may have missed the fact that we traded EK, I'm enjoying the anticipation, and am expecting him to be signed. If not, we'll get a massive haul that will change the look of our team. I dunno, this the hockey team I love, players come and go, but the intrigue is, well, intriguing!

The bottoming out sucked, it was long, and lame. BUT, that's over with, we're not still bottoming out, losing every night, we're waiting to make a 4th over all draft pick. I guess I have separated what happened during the season and am looking forward to the draft.

I can't believe I'm being slammed for looking forward to what happens this summer. Those that are left posting around here must mostly be of the same opinion. It it wasn't for real life I'd have to conclude that I'm alone in my views on sports, and our team specifically.

Most people I talk to about the Sens her, and there are lots of Sens fans, absolutely do NOT have miserable negative views of the team and the summer in particular. Eh, maybe its the turn in the weather. It's hard to be whiny on a patio with a cold beer in hand!

 

[Ice-Tray]

Replace it with terrifying and then I would agree with you, im not excited that the team I love and have followed for my entire life has entered a stage where only the owner's personal finances matter.

I guess, personally I don't scare about theses kinds of things (not a knock on you by the way). There are ups and downs, and if you've been a fan as long as you say, we've had more ups than most. PD is a solid hockey guy and our team is in decent hands from where I stand. I'd like more money injected into the team like everyone else, but I do see wealthy teams all around that suck worse, and for much longer than us so I know it's not the be all end all.

I mean this board crashes every season that we miss the playoffs, likely because after a decade of being an elite team, new and old fans alike are struggling with the lull. The reality for me is that our 'suffering' right now doesn't come close to what Toronto, Edmonton, Calgary have gone through over the last decade plus, and not as low a dip as Vancouver has entered after their recent string of success. The Habs have floated by but are more reminiscent of our Gary Roberts days (but a worse team) where their GM isn't able or willing to go out and get what his team clearly needs to to take another step forward.

I look at our team and I see a squad that is growing, and a group that is much closer to the ECF team than the top 4 pick team, and that makes me excited. We had a tough one off year that earned us an excellent player, next year we'll be back being a bubble team at worst, but with so many young talented players coming up, who can say?

It's not that I don't see the warts. or the dark option for each issue, I just don't see the point in dwelling in the negative. Especially when there are lots of reason to be excited in the now and future.

 

[Sensung]

I guess, personally I don't scare about theses kinds of things (not a knock on you by the way). There are ups and downs, and if you've been a fan as long as you say, we've had more ups than most. PD is a solid hockey guy and our team is in decent hands from where I stand. I'd like more money injected into the team like everyone else, but I do see wealthy teams all around that suck worse, and for much longer than us so I know it's not the be all end all.

I mean this board crashes every season that we miss the playoffs, likely because after a decade of being an elite team, new and old fans alike are struggling with the lull. The reality for me is that our 'suffering' right now doesn't come close to what Toronto, Edmonton, Calgary have gone through over the last decade plus, and not as low a dip as Vancouver has entered after their recent string of success. The Habs have floated by but are more reminiscent of our Gary Roberts days (but a worse team) where their GM isn't able or willing to go out and get what his team clearly needs to to take another step forward.

I look at our team and I see a squad that is growing, and a group that is much closer to the ECF team than the top 4 pick team, and that makes me excited. We had a tough one off year that earned us an excellent player, next year we'll be back being a bubble team at worst, but with so many young talented players coming up, who can say?

It's not that I don't see the warts. or the dark option for each issue, I just don't see the point in dwelling in the negative. Especially when there are lots of reason to be excited in the now and future.

If we trade EK, then we are nowhere close to a bubble team on the rise. We MAY get a decent package in return if we don't tie an anchor contract to the deal, but that package will be futures based and won't help for next season when we won't have our pick and the reward for sucking.

The bottoming out will have just begun and with an owner not willing to invest in the team, suspect goaltending, a coach with a noose around his neck and Dorion at the helm your optimism flies in the face of reason.

Terrifying is a far better word for this offseason.

 

[Upgrayedd]

I guess, personally I don't scare about theses kinds of things (not a knock on you by the way). There are ups and downs, and if you've been a fan as long as you say, we've had more ups than most. PD is a solid hockey guy and our team is in decent hands from where I stand. I'd like more money injected into the team like everyone else, but I do see wealthy teams all around that suck worse, and for much longer than us so I know it's not the be all end all.

I mean this board crashes every season that we miss the playoffs, likely because after a decade of being an elite team, new and old fans alike are struggling with the lull. The reality for me is that our 'suffering' right now doesn't come close to what Toronto, Edmonton, Calgary have gone through over the last decade plus, and not as low a dip as Vancouver has entered after their recent string of success. The Habs have floated by but are more reminiscent of our Gary Roberts days (but a worse team) where their GM isn't able or willing to go out and get what his team clearly needs to to take another step forward.

I look at our team and I see a squad that is growing, and a group that is much closer to the ECF team than the top 4 pick team, and that makes me excited. We had a tough one off year that earned us an excellent player, next year we'll be back being a bubble team at worst, but with so many young talented players coming up, who can say?

It's not that I don't see the warts. or the dark option for each issue, I just don't see the point in dwelling in the negative. Especially when there are lots of reason to be excited in the now and future.

I normally wouldn't scare as easy and typically do not worry about possible future outcomes that may or may not occur but here it just seems like their is way way too much smoke not to be a bit of fire there, We have had a lot of previous success but that shouldn't mean we accept incompetence as part of the ebbs and flows of cheering for a sports team and certainly not when it appears to be the owner's own doing.

Im not sure if there will ever be an owner who can put this franchise into championship contender status perennially considering our tax/weather and media situation in Canada but I know the current guy is not the one to do it, ive never hoped I would be more wrong as far as sports is concerned but sadly I believe we are in for some very very rough years ahead.

 

[JD1]

Ok, maybe "lost the room" was too broad and harsh on my part, and not as descriptive as I wanted it to be.

More specifically - I wonder if players have lost confidence in Boucher's "system" to deliver consistent results, and as such, maybe part of the reason this past season was as catastrophic as it was is because there were guys on the team who weren't fully buying in, and Boucher's "system" requires total comitment.

If Boucher changes things up, that could be the refresher needed. Still... I don't know why we didn't at the very least bring in one new assistant coach. Just get a guy who is a special-teams specialist. One more assistant coach isn't going to bankrupt the franchise.


I'll also say this - just my opinion here, but Boucher staying doesn't fill me with a ton of confidence in Karlsson staying. I don't know why. Just a bad feeling.

don'tyou think EK would have been asked his thoughts on Boucher as part of exit interviews?

It seems likely to me that part of the DD on Boucher would entail asking the team's leadership how they feel.

That is what apparently did McLean in. Mclean changed. Players didn't like it. The rebelled. Man I liked Paul....the player 61 thing was gold!!!

 

[BondraTime]

don'tyou think EK would have been asked his thoughts on Boucher as part of exit interviews?

It seems likely to me that part of the DD on Boucher would entail asking the team's leadership how they feel.

That is what apparently did McLean in. Mclean changed. Players didn't like it. The rebelled. Man I liked Paul....the player 61 thing was gold!!!

Mclean also came back to start the year as well.

I really enjoyed his candour and his doppleganger.

Let's hope that Boucher comes back with a new MO and mandate, because I can't stand watching this system for another season.