Is DJ Smith On The Hot Seat In Ottawa

Is DJ Smith On The Hot Seat In Ottawa

The Senators have not made the playoffs since DJ Smith took the job back in 2019. Back then, the Senators were clearly rebuilding. Now, that’s not really the case anymore. If you read my Senators team preview, you know that they have some dudes on that team now. If the Senators don’t win this year, it sounds like Smith might join the unemployment line soon.

I thought this clip from Frank Seravalli was really interesting. Frank is never a guy to just bring up something for no reason. He always knows something.

Can I just do a quick side note? Can someone please explain to me why Jarmo Kekäläinen is still employed? He needs to be fired too.

Smith, 45, carries a career winning percentage of .467 (120-139-32). The playoffs has to be the bar for this team. As Frank notes, his teams have gotten off to terrible starts at the beginning of the year too. If the Senators start slow, don’t be surprised if a coaching change is made.

It’s worth noting that the Senators have a new ownership group. A new group that didn’t hire this coach or general manager. I’m sure they won’t be quick to the trigger when it comes to replacing either one. The new guy usually wants to put his stamp on the organization. Plus, the roster is mostly signed to long term contracts. The entire roster is mostly young players on the rise. If you can’t really change the roster, a new coaching and management staff could be only a matter of time.

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