The Ottawa Senators are falling flat this season, carrying a 9-10-0 record that currently has them ranked third-to-last in the NHL. They rank 28th in goals-for through the early season as well, despite having nine different skaters with 10 or more points. The Ottawa Sun’s Bruce Garrioch shared that, as the team continues to struggle, head coach D.J. Smith’s seat is becoming one of the hottest in Ottawa. Garrioch added that new GM Staios isn’t looking to make a change yet, but continued losses could force his hand to make a change sooner rather than later.
Smith has been with the Senators since the 2019-20 season, stepping into his first head coaching role in the NHL after four seasons as an assistant coach with the Toronto Maple Leafs. He’s commanded 310 games with Ottawa, setting a losing record of 129-149-32. Ottawa has also failed to make the playoffs under his leadership, although they’ve only managed three playoff berths since 2010.
It’s been a different coaching experience for Smith, who proved highly successful in his time as the head coach of the OHL’s Oshawa Generals from 2012 to 2015. Through his three years with the Generals, he led the team to three playoff runs, capping it off with a run to the J. Ross Robertson Cup and a Memorial Cup win. Smith’s championship-winning Generals lineup was led by Michael Dal Colle and Cole Cassels, with support from standouts like Anthony Cirelli, Michael McCarron, and Mitchell Vande Sompel.
Garrioch emphasized that Staios is hoping that Ottawa can right the ship before a coaching change is necessary. The team has played the fewest games in the league in the early season, three fewer than anyone else in the Atlantic Division, and ranks 23rd in the league in point percentage. The team could regroup as they catch up to their peers in games played. But if they can’t, changes could continue to flow in for a Senators team currently facing a new owner and general manager.
Who would top the replacement list … not really lots to choose from is there..
Jay Woodcraft (recently fired by the Oilers), Joel Quennville (pending approval by NHL), ……
Gerard Gallant to
Patrick Roy, Gerrard Gallant or Bruce Bourdreau are the correct answers
Quinnville should never coach again, Woodcraft minor league coach at best…I love to see Turk Gallant there but loving his time with grandchildren..
Gallant will only lose a year with his grandchildren…………………LOL
Coach Q is definitely and defiantly the best option!
@Johnny Z – Well put!
Smith’s seat has turned from hot to cooked; Staios probably waiting to get a new-coach bounce for Thursday’s game v the Leafs. Either that or they’re accepting their fate and playing the Celebrini-Eiserman cards… not the worst idea when playoffs are the improbable dream.
Looking at the comments from coaches and players following Sens games makes you think they have “Whistling-in-the-dark-itis”. After bad games, they’ll say they did good things and are headed in the right direction, or they’ll go nutso on their effort, and say they have to do a lot better or the effort was unacceptable. Lick finger, raise arm over head, and see which way the media winds are coming from.
Staios and the new owner have preached stability, so after canning Dorion, I can see why Smith still has a job. However, after watching some of the Columbus game, I got the impression the players didn’t understand no more excuses. They have to win now. There were oodles of excuses under Boudreau in Vancouver. Nice guy, great players’coach, but not strong on systems. I’m not a fan of Tocchet but he was the guy the Canucks needed. At times, there is no discernible system under Smith. I think they need a Tortelli-type coach.
Quenneville is a great replacement if he’s eligible to return, And of course Gallant. I’m shocked Smith is still coaching.
Coach Q will likely never coach in the NHL again. Especially with another Beach situation arising in Chicago.