Trevor Shackles: Senators Hire DJ Smith as Next Head Coach Former Leafs assistant coach is the next Senators head coach

Well, at least we have our own first this year, unless Dorion does something Dorion-esque.

I don't like this hire one bit. It reeks of Melnyk cheaping out.

EDIT: I am struggling to comprehend how they could have interviewed 4 others with NHL coaching experience, and decided to pass on them.

Well, at least we have our own first this year, unless Dorion does something Dorion-esque.

I don't like this hire one bit. It reeks of Melnyk cheaping out.
- hemlock34

I don't think this is a melnyk cheaping out situation. this team, as it is now, doesn't need a big name/big money coach. most of those guys are all "old school" people, who probably wouldn't relate that well with the young guys.........the ones who would (cooper, trotz, etc) already have jobs.

it's not the best signing they could have made, but it's certainly not the worst either. I personally would have preferred Mann, but as long as he's still in the organization coaching the B-Sens, he's still going to have an impact on the young kids, and is likely even better prepared for the job when we likely need another new coach in 2-3 years.

Well, at least we have our own first this year, unless Dorion does something Dorion-esque.

I don't like this hire one bit. It reeks of Melnyk cheaping out.

EDIT: I am struggling to comprehend how they could have interviewed 4 others with NHL coaching experience, and decided to pass on them.
- hemlock34

I can only count 3 (roy, martin, and Crawford)....but the reason you pass on those guys is that they aren't very good coaches

To be honest, I was much more concerned with them hiring one of Martin, Roy, or Crawford. I like the comment that Smith sees a balance between opportunities and expectations for younger players, because it's tiresome to watch young players being given table scrap ice time and being expected to make an impression. The focus of the next three years is on development, and you have to expose players to the types of situations they'll be expected to handle down the road. I was actually quite impressed that they did this with Batherson and Wolanin last year, so hopefully they don't over-congest their lineup with plugs instead of leaving opportunities open for younger players to step in and get the benefit of that experience.

It's also good for the team to have this decision nailed down, so they can focus 100% of their attention on the coming draft.

I can only count 3 (roy, martin, and Crawford)....but the reason you pass on those guys is that they aren't very good coaches
- sensarmy_11

Bowness is the fourth. And what's to say DJ Smith is any better?

To be honest, I was much more concerned with them hiring one of Martin, Roy, or Crawford. I like the comment that Smith sees a balance between opportunities and expectations for younger players, because it's tiresome to watch young players being given table scrap ice time and being expected to make an impression. The focus of the next three years is on development, and you have to expose players to the types of situations they'll be expected to handle down the road. I was actually quite impressed that they did this with Batherson and Wolanin last year, so hopefully they don't over-congest their lineup with plugs instead of leaving opportunities open for younger players to step in and get the benefit of that experience.

It's also good for the team to have this decision nailed down, so they can focus 100% of their attention on the coming draft.
- khawk

If he is going to allow the youngsters and Cody Ceci to make mistakes, that ought to ensure our last place finish.

I would have preferred Mann myself, or Roy simply for the comedic value.

Bowness is the fourth. And what's to say DJ Smith is any better?
- hemlock34

I can't say he's better, but I can say the other guys aren't good.

if it's down to hiring a guy who:

a. I know is bad; or

b. might be bad, but might be good.

guess which one I'm hiring.

I can't say he's better, but I can say the other guys aren't good.

if it's down to hiring a guy who:

a. I know is bad; or

b. might be bad, but might be good.

guess which one I'm hiring.
- sensarmy_11

Agree to disagree. Jacques Martin is not a bad coach. Certainly not with this team. His problem was not being able to get the team over the hump in the playoffs. That won't be a problem with this team in the near future. Bowness was given the worst expansion roster in league history. Can't do much with that.

Agree to disagree. Jacques Martin is not a bad coach. Certainly not with this team. His problem was not being able to get the team over the hump in the playoffs. That won't be a problem with this team in the near future. Bowness was given the worst expansion roster in league history. Can't do much with that.
- hemlock34

sure, he wasn't a bad coach 15 years ago.......I don't think he's the right coach for a young team full of kids.

I don't blame bowness for what happened in Ottawa, but he hasn't really been successful as a HC or assistant anywhere he's gone since. the only place that a team he's coached hasn't sucked was in Tampa, and that's because he joined a team with a STACKED roster (not really what he'd have in Ottawa).

I though Crawford did an ok job.

wonder if he stays on.

I can only count 3 (roy, martin, and Crawford)....but the reason you pass on those guys is that they aren't very good coaches
- sensarmy_11

Bowness and and a previous coach. Damn I don't remember his name but I think he's on the peguins staff. Jacques Martin is his name.

I though Crawford did an ok job.

wonder if he stays on.
- zazzle

the team actually regressed after he took over. almost every stat got worse.

I hope he doesn't stay

sure, he wasn't a bad coach 15 years ago.......I don't think he's the right coach for a young team full of kids.

I don't blame bowness for what happened in Ottawa, but he hasn't really been successful as a HC or assistant anywhere he's gone since. the only place that a team he's coached hasn't sucked was in Tampa, and that's because he joined a team with a STACKED roster (not really what he'd have in Ottawa).
- sensarmy_11

I don't know if it matters who the coach is with the current management team of Melnyk and Dorion. I would have like to have seen them hire someone with clout enough to do their own thing. Not only am I not convinced Smith is the right choice, I am worried he's just a yes man.

I don't know if it matters who the coach is with the current management team of Melnyk and Dorion. I would have like to have seen them hire someone with clout enough to do their own thing. Not only am I not convinced Smith is the right choice, I am worried he's just a yes man.
- hemlock34

I think a "yes man" coach wouldn't really matter......he has to play the players he's given, the only real thing he has to decide on is the system....and that shouldn't be impacted by scrooge mcmelnyk and his empty pockets.

like I said, as long as he plays the kids, he's likely just a stop gap until the roster is built back up.

He'll work cheap. End of story.

My first choice was Troy Mann. After reading more about DJ Smith, he seems like he should do a good job developing players and instilling a defensive system and habits in the players. Time will tell.

He'll work cheap. End of story.
- RogerRoeper

pretty sure they all would have worked cheap.........I like the fact that they didn't recycle a coach, and that we keep a quality guy in the AHL (to hopefully be promoted in a couple of years)

pretty sure they all would have worked cheap.........I like the fact that they didn't recycle a coach, and that we keep a quality guy in the AHL (to hopefully be promoted in a couple of years)
- sensarmy_11

I really doubt Martin and Roy would work cheap.

One of the frequent criticisms of Babcock by Leaf fans and media outlets is that he is not that good a coach. Rather he tends to organize and delegate to the assistant coaches but seldom deviates off of the overall game plan when conditions change.

I actually think Babcock has a great track history and his delegating and sticking with game plans is actually a strength rather than a weakness. I think the hire of a younger coach is a good move.

If he can turn Cody Ceci into a serviceable NHL defender, I will consider this a win, because we all know Dorion is going to give him 5x6. Dorion will then come out and say that Ceci took $6 million as a hometown discount, unlike the other scoundrels who wouldn't and chose to leave.

If he can turn Cody Ceci into a serviceable NHL defender, I will consider this a win, because we all know Dorion is going to give him 5x6. Dorion will then come out and say that Ceci took $6 million as a hometown discount, unlike the other scoundrels who wouldn't and chose to leave.
- hemlock34

From what I heard Dorion asked only 2 questions.

Is Mark Borowiecki a good player?
Is Cody Ceci a good player?

DJ was the only one to answer yes to both questions

If he can turn Cody Ceci into a serviceable NHL defender, I will consider this a win, because we all know Dorion is going to give him 5x6. Dorion will then come out and say that Ceci took $6 million as a hometown discount, unlike the other scoundrels who wouldn't and chose to leave.
- hemlock34

the only people that could turn Ceci into a serviceable dman are God and that (frank)ing blue genie from aladin.....and even from them, it's asking a lot

Wow

DJ Smith did a horrible job coaching the Leafs PP.

I’m shocked he got a head coaching job

Well it is Ottawa

Wow

DJ Smith did a horrible job coaching the Leafs PP.

I’m shocked he got a head coaching job

Well it is Ottawa
- Santo_44

Some truth in your thought. Why would the Sens want a coach from a team that has an extensive history of choking in games that matter?