The Ottawa Senators expected to be contenders for the Stanley Cup Playoffs this year. Even after trading Alex DeBrincat to the Detroit Red Wings this summer, expectations were high. So you can imagine the disappointment ringing throughout the fanbase given their current start. And fans have taken aim at Senators head coach DJ Smith as a result.

Ottawa owner Michael Andlauer attended the Board of Governors meeting on Monday. Afterward, he spoke with the media, where he acknowledged the frustrations around Smith. Andlauer says he is still examining his staff at this current juncture.

“I’m as big a fan. I’m the new boss. I’m looking at all of our key employees. I’m trying to understand and making sure they have the right tools to be successful,” the Senators owner said, via Postmedia's Bruce Garrioch.

“I do appreciate the fans and I love these fans, they’re passionate and they’ve also gone six years without making the playoffs,” he continued. “I totally understand their angst.”

Senators, DJ Smith are in last place

The Senators have a ton of talent, at least on paper. However, results aren't going their way. In fact, they are in last place in the highly competitive Atlantic Division. They are four points back of the Buffalo Sabres for seventh place.

Ottawa did just snap a three-game losing streak on Saturday. And they have won four of their last seven games. That said, the Senators still haven't been able to climb out of the division cellar. Furthermore, they are the only Eastern Conference team below the 20-point mark at this time.

A saving grace for this team is actually their games played. They have played 19 games this season, which is the fewest in the league. They have 63 games remaining on their schedule. And that amount of time allowing Andlauer to remain patient with Smith and his staff.

“It’s so early in the season. We’re not even a quarter of the way there, at least we’re not, and I think we have six or seven games in hand on many of the teams. I’ll leave it at that,” the Senators owner said, via Garrioch.