Sens name DJ Smith head coach

[ericdaoust]

https://www.nhl.com/senators/news/ot...ch/c-307518896

Three-year contract

[2014olympicgold]

As a Leafs fan I wanted him to not return to the Leafs anyways. I think he was the coach that was responsible for the Leafs PP, which shows how bad he really is at adjustments.


--EDIT--

Reading other posts on other websites, sounds like he manned the PK and helped with the defensive core.

[DusterDave]

I didn’t really expect the Sens to choose DJ Smith considering the other candidates involved, but I like it from a Leafs perspective. Enter Sheldon Keefe as new assistant coach for the Leafs.

[Pengwin7]

Fun Facts:
1. DJ Smith & I were both seniors in high school in Windsor in 1996.
2. DJ played for the OHL Spitfires*... and I played in the weekly students vs. teachers scrimmage.
3. DJ dated a really hot friend-of-a-friend... and I did not.
4. DJ was born in May 1977. I was born in March 1977.

Lots of things in common!!!
Po-tay-to, Po-tah-to.


*Recent Spitfires Coaches in NHL: Smith, Boughner, Quenneville

[Skippy]

Just for continued amusement, Melnyk goes on Toronto radio about a month ago and out of nowhere bashes the Leafs D, how bad they are and they will never win with it...and then he goes and hires the Leafs defensive coach as his head coach.

[Axeman33]

I don't know a lot about Smith but I find it interesting to see the Sens hire an inexperienced Head Coach (at the NHL level) to run their team during a rebuild. It will be interesting to see how long he lasts if the rebuild takes longer than expected.

[PenguinHunter]

As a Leafs fan I wanted him to not return to the Leafs anyways. I think he was the coach that was responsible for the Leafs PP, which shows how bad he really is at adjustments.


--EDIT--

Reading other posts on other websites, sounds like he manned the PK and helped with the defensive core.

Which is worse? haha... I think either way you are likely glad to see him leave town eh!

[2014olympicgold]

Which is worse? haha... I think either way you are likely glad to see him leave town eh!

Ya, and as much as people bash the Leafs D (Rielly, Sandin, Lili, Borgman, Rosen, Hainsey, Zaits, Dermott, Holl/Muzzin), they prolly have a better core than the Sens (Chabot, DeMelo, Lajoie, Brannstrom, Boro, Jaros, and....) So it'll be interesting how he attacks the Senators and how he builds a gameplan. By core I mean defensive ability right now.

11 picks in the first 2 rounds over the next 3 yrs though might be good, but with a 4yr deal for DJ Smith won't see the benefits of those picks during his current contract.

[Axeman33]

Ya, and as much as people bash the Leafs D (Rielly, Sandin, Lili, Borgman, Rosen, Hainsey, Zaits, Dermott, Holl/Muzzin), they prolly have a better core than the Sens (Chabot, DeMelo, Lajoie, Brannstrom, Boro, Jaros, and....) So it'll be interesting how he attacks the Senators and how he builds a gameplan. By core I mean defensive ability right now.

11 picks in the first 2 rounds over the next 3 yrs though might be good, but with a 4yr deal for DJ Smith won't see the benefits of those picks during his current contract.

Whats scary is you still think they only "prolly" (to actually quote you ) have a better D core. It sounds like there's some doubt in your comment. It should be a no brainer to call the Leafs D better when you compare the two groups total GP in the NHL.

[ericdaoust]

-Sens hire new coach
-Let's talk about the Leafs



Smith likely serves as a fall guy during some tough years.

[2014olympicgold]

Whats scary is you still think they only "prolly" (to actually quote you ) have a better D core. It sounds like there's some doubt in your comment. It should be a no brainer to call the Leafs D better when you compare the two groups total GP in the NHL.

Subconsciously I was thinking within 4 yrs, and Chabot/Brannstrom combo could be insane. But ya funny how my mind goes sometimes lol

-Sens hire new coach
-Let's talk about the Leafs



Smith likely serves as the fall guy during some tough years.

At least it's kinda linked unlike some scenarios.

Maybe they think how Rielly developed under DJ Smith/Babcock, Smith can bring that experience to Chabot and Brannstrom?

[ericdaoust]

Maybe they think how Rielly developed under DJ Smith/Babcock, Smith can bring that experience to Chabot and Brannstrom?

Smith likely had cheaper contract demands than others

[2014olympicgold]

Smith likely had cheaper contract demands than others

That was prolly No1 reason.

[lucafen4]

over the last couple years he's been one the most talked about, expected asst. coaches to move into a head coaching gig. he's good with young players. Shouldn't really be much of a surprise.

[LawMan]

Smith likely had cheaper contract demands than others

This was my first thought. Several experienced coaches have received 5 years x $5mil this offseason.
Smith gets a 3-year deal at $2.xx, that's a big difference.