D.J. Smith Agrees To Be The Ottawa Senators’ Head Coach, His First NHL Head Coaching Job

By Jordan Long

The Ottawa Senators coaching search came to an end as they have their new Head Coach.  The job had been open since March 1^st after they let Guy Boucher go. Marc Crawford finished the year but the Senators didn’t bring him back after a 7-10-1 finish.  They hired Toronto Maple Leafs’ Assistant Coach D.J. Smith to lead this team moving forward.

                Smith has been a Head Coach but not at the NHL level.  He was with the Oshawa Generals of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL).   He was there from 2012 to 2015.  Smith coached them to a record of 135-53-16, making the playoffs all 3 years.  The Generals won the Memorial Cup title in 2015. Smith was also named OHL Coach of the Year in 2014.

                Smith spent the past 4 years as an Assistant Coach with the Toronto Maple Leafs coaching along side Mike Babcock.  He helped Babcock turn the Maple Leafs into a winner.  Toronto made the postseason the last 3 years. 

                The Senators feel Smith is the coach to lead the franchise moving forward. According to ESPN, Senators General Manager Pierre Dorion said, “D.J. Smith is a winner. We believe he is the best person to drive the development and success of the Ottawa Senators. D.J is a great communicator and an exceptional strategist. His passionate approach, coupled with his ability to teach the game, is exactly what we were looking for throughout the process. We’re thrilled to welcome D.J. and his family to Ottawa.”

                Ottawa had their chance to hire other coaches who had more NHL head coaching experience behind the bench.  Those included Jacques Martin and Patrick Roy.  In the end they decided Smith is the right man to rebuild the team and make a run at the playoffs. 

                Smith is hoping he can turn the Senators around and win a Stanley Cup.  The Senators haven’t made it to the Stanley Cup Final since 2007 when they lost to the Anaheim Ducks.  Smith is the 2^nd-youngest coach in the NHL at 42.   Only Chicago Blackhawks’ Head Coach Jeremy Colliton is younger at 34. 

                The Senators know it could take a few seasons for Smith to turn the team around.  The front office must be patient.  They can’t fire him after a year or two because that is not long enough to improve the team.  Smith has his chance as an NHL Head Coach.  Hopefully it will work out and the Senators make the playoffs in the next few seasons.  If not, it will be back to the drawing board for Ottawa.