Ottawa hockey fans have a complicated relationship with D.J. Smith — the coach who shepherded a young, rebuilding Senators squad through some turbulent years before being let go in April 2024. Now, according to The Hockey News, Smith has a real shot at breaking what's become a quiet but notable drought: ex-Ottawa Senators head coaches getting second chances in the NHL.
A Tough Gig Made Tougher
Smith took over as Senators head coach in 2019 and inherited a roster that was firmly in rebuild mode. He guided the team through the pandemic bubble, roster overhauls, and the awkward in-between years before Ottawa's young core — Brady Tkachuk, Tim Stützle, Jake Sanderson — started to mature into genuine NHL contributors.
His tenure ended with a 147-184-45 record over five seasons, and while the Sens showed improvement, the front office opted for a new direction, bringing in Travis Green to take the reins heading into the 2024-25 season.
The Ex-Senators Coach Drought
Here's the thing: Ottawa hasn't exactly been a launching pad for coaching careers. The Hockey News points out that ex-Senators bench bosses have had a rough time getting back into the NHL's head coaching ranks. It's a pattern that reflects both the franchise's struggles over the past decade and the broader reality that getting fired in the NHL often means a long road back.
Smith, however, appears to be a legitimate candidate for multiple openings that could emerge around the league. At 52, he's experienced, respected by players, and comes with the kind of developmental track record that teams rebuilding through youth tend to value.
What Ottawa Built Under Smith
For all the losing records and frustrating seasons, Sens fans shouldn't overlook what happened developmentally under Smith's watch. Tkachuk grew into one of the league's most physical and passionate leaders. Stützle blossomed into a legitimate top-line centre. Josh Norris showed flashes of elite potential before injuries derailed him. Claude Giroux arrived and thrived.
That's not nothing. And it's the kind of résumé line that gets noticed in NHL boardrooms when teams are looking for someone who can work with young players.
Ottawa's New Chapter, Smith's Next One
Back in Ottawa, the Senators are moving forward with Travis Green and a roster that finally looks ready to compete for a playoff spot on a consistent basis. The future on Queensway feels genuinely bright.
Meanwhile, Smith's next chapter remains unwritten. If he lands a head coaching role — whether it's with a rebuilding squad or as part of a quick turnaround project — he'd be doing something none of his predecessors in the Ottawa hot seat have managed to pull off in recent memory.
For a fan base that's seen plenty of coaching changes and front-office shuffles, there's something satisfying about the idea of a guy who paid his dues in Ottawa getting another shot at the top job somewhere in the NHL.
Hockey has a long memory, and so do Senators fans. D.J. Smith's story isn't over yet.
Source: The Hockey News via Google News
