Time is here for Senators to be a playoff team, and the coach and GM know it

KANATA, Ont. – Six months ago, they looked to be on thin ice, if not dead men walking. 

But look at Ottawa Senators head coach D.J. Smith and general manager Pierre Dorion today. Smiles as wide as the great outdoors. As confident as any head coach and GM can be under the circumstances of new ownership. 

The photo of Tuesday’s pre-training camp golf tournament was telling: incoming owner Michael Andlauer fist-bumping Dorion on the golf course, both men captured laughing uproariously. 

Yes, I know, the team hasn’t played a single game yet, let alone have a camp skate – that starts on Thursday at the Sensplex. 

These are the earliest of days and a lot can change in a hurry. Andlauer has been around hockey a long time, with street cred at the OHL, AHL and NHL levels – the latter as a minority owner of the Montreal Canadiens.

He is known to have “his own guys,” including Steve Staios, most recently a hockey operations staffer with the Edmonton Oilers. Andlauer and Staios were said to be tighter than tight while operating the Hamilton Bulldogs. The pair won two OHL titles together, with Andlauer as franchise owner and Staios his president and GM. 

Staios may well join Ottawa’s hockey staff – we will learn more at Andlauer’s introductory press conference, which could happen as early as Friday morning. 

Even if Staios does come to Ottawa, he won’t be taking Dorion’s job. Not yet, anyway. 

At a joint press conference with Smith on Wednesday afternoon, Dorion was asked if he and Smith feel they are auditioning for their jobs under new ownership. 

“Not for me,” Dorion said. “I think both of us know what the plan has been from the get-go when we started this rebuild. As far as D.J. (goes), Mike told me that I was the one deciding D.J.'s fate, and I have as much faith in D.J. as I’ve had. Originally, our plan was to develop the young players and I think he’s done that ... last year was the first time I told him we have to bring our game to where we play meaningful games at the trade deadline. He delivered on that.”

Dorion reiterated he doesn’t think “at all” that they are auditioning. 

“I think there’s been a plan in place and hopefully the team continues getting better,” Dorion said. 

And that’s it right there. As long as this team, which is icing its most talented roster in six or seven years, plays up to its ability and makes the playoffs, these hockey people will be safe. 

If not, there will be change. 

This is the most pressure any Ottawa team has faced since 2017. 

To paraphrase an old line from the GM: The rebuild is over. 

Regarding contracts, Smith has a deal for this season and the club has an option for 2024-25. 

Dorion has two years left with a club option for 2025-26. 

Smith has had this Senators job for four seasons and knows he has to deliver a playoff team, even if the goal of making the playoffs seems to have been banned from all lips this fall. 

“For me, I think when you’re lucky enough to get an opportunity to coach a team that has a chance to win every night, I think the pressure remains the same, whether you have a five-year deal, a two-month deal,” Smith said, shooting straight, as usual. 

“When you’re expected to be better, you have to be better,” Smith said. “And my job as a coach is to make sure we’re better. That falls on me and I’m up for the challenge. I think everyone knows how much I love the city and I love these players.”

As for news briefs, there were a few. 

Still talking with Pinto

Regarding restricted free-agent centre Shane Pinto, Dorion remains hopeful. But it was interesting to hear him say that the main holdup is the contract negotiation, not some side deal to make salary-cap room.

“It’s more agreeing to a contract than anything,” Dorion said. “After that, I think things will play themselves out.”

Norris in the dreaded yellow jersey

As an occasional cycling journalist, I know how treasured the yellow jersey is at the Tour de France. In hockey? Not so much. Dorion admitted that centre Josh Norris, coming back from a second shoulder surgery, is going to have to start camp wearing a yellow no-contact jersey. Just as a precaution, Dorion said. Norris did not take part in Tuesday’s golf event. Again, as a precaution. 

Asked if the “tweak” is shoulder-related, Dorion was ambiguous. 

“Yes and no,” Dorion said. “I’m not really a doctor.

“If we were playing two days from now, he’d play. I think it’s just that we’re being extra cautious to make sure we have him at 100 per cent. He’s a big part of our team, a big part of us having success. 

“So, it is (the shoulder) ... and it’s kind of related (to the injury), but not really related.”

Take that for what it is worth, either comforting or frightening as hell.

Who’s starting in goal?

On paper, the Sens have a solid goaltending tandem of Joonas Korpisalo and Anton Forsberg. Does Smith plan to rotate them or have a main starter and a backup?

“I don’t think there’s any clear way to say it before (the season) starts,” Smith said. “If one guy is playing great and the other guy is not playing great, it’s clear that the one guy playing great is gonna go and get to go as many times as possible. 

“But if they’re both going well? That model works because you keep everyone fresh. Injuries are less. The more these guys play, they get hurt today. But we’re going to do everything we can to win every game.” 

Analytics man: Make us better

Sean Tierney has been hired as a director of analytics in hockey operations and Smith said he will challenge Tierney to challenge the coaching staff. 

“It can only help,” Smith said of having a full-time analytics staffer. But you’ve got to be willing to take criticism. 

“The first thing I said to them is come to me with all the stats that the playoff teams are good at, that we’re no good at. And come in and essentially take a piece of me and my staff, and tell us what we’re not good at. Our job is to get better.”

Have the puck more

On the subject of style of play, Smith said he wants this team to continue with its identity as a physical, hard-working team but to add a component of puck possession that has been missing. 

“I think we have more depth as far as offensive players, we need to have the puck more,” Smith said. “If we have the puck more, we’re not defending. So, how much are we going to have the puck this year? And if you have it, how hard are we going to play to get it back? We want pressure.”

Top-nine battles

Smith believed some of the best camp battles will involve positioning among the top-nine forwards because of the added depth.

“You’ve got guys that are playing on a third line, if that’s what you want to call it, that could be your first-line player in a week,” Smith said. 

Vladimir Tarasenko, the free agent winger signed to a one-year deal, will play left and right wing in camp. 

As for Line 1, it will start with Brady Tkachuk, Tim Stützle and Claude Giroux, but Smith said the lines will be juggled during camp and in pre-season to try out different combos. 

Tarasenko is in Group 2 at camp, along with Norris and Drake Batherson, a likely line. 

Ominous November

The Senators have a history of poor starts to the season, but also a lousy record in November. Smith called it “the elephant in the room,” that step back after the season starts.

“November has been a real issue,” Smith said. “And then you look at Games 20 through 60, and we’re one of the better teams. So, when I look at it, is it injuries or this or that? I know when the dark days of winter come, our guys are going to push and scratch. 

“This year in November, we’re going to play well. Last year was last year. These guys are a year older, they know what’s expected.”

One attribute Smith expects a more mature team to have this season: the ability to roll with wins and losses more evenly. 

Group 1 hits the ice at 10 a.m. Thursday.