For all the change — and potential change — surrounding the Ottawa Senators right now, one thing that will remain consistent with the squad for the upcoming season is the coaching staff.
Senators general manager Pierre Dorion confirmed coach D.J. Smith and his entire staff will return in September.
“D.J. Smith and his staff will be back next year,” Dorion said from Nashville — site of the 2023 NHL Draft — on Tuesday morning.
The Sens, of course, are in the process of being sold to a new ownership group headlined by Michael Andlauer. Ottawa missed the playoffs for the sixth straight season and have not played a post-season game under Smith’s watch. Still, it was the GM’s recommendation to the incoming owner that Smith and his assistants, Bob Jones — who continues to work despite an ALS diagnosis in February — and Davis Payne, be retained.
“In dealing with Michael, he said the general manager runs the hockey operations and he decides the coach and my recommendation was for DJ and his staff to be back,” Dorion said.
Smith took the top job in Ottawa at the start of the 2019-20 season, leaving his post as an assistant with the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Senators took a step forward last year, but still missed the post-season by six points. The Sens, like every NHL team, are in Tennessee for the draft on Wednesday and Thursday. One year ago, Dorion was making headlines by trading picks to acquire sniper Alex DeBrincat from the Chicago Blackhawks. Twelve months later — and with DeBrincat eligible to become an unrestricted agent next summer — it appears Dorion could be shipping DeBrincat out since the player apparently has no intention of making Canada’s capital a long-term home.
As was the case last year, Ottawa — which does not presently hold a first-round pick — could be a team to watch at this draft, too.