Out with the old, and in with the older.
In a move that surprised absolutely no one, the Ottawa Senators fired head coach D.J. Smith on Monday. The 46-year-old Windsor, Ont., native joins his former boss, general manager Pierre Dorion, out the door of the struggling hockey club. Dorion was let go on Nov. 1st.
Replacing Smith – for the interim – is former Senator bench boss Jacques Martin. The 71-year-old piloted the Senators through nine seasons and remains the organization’s longest-tenured coach. Martin posted a 341-255-96 regular season record with Ottawa. Martin also lead the team to nine straight playoff placings.
Former captain Daniel Alfredsson will join Martin behind the bench, in an assistant’s role.
Smith took over as Ottawa’s head coach in the spring of 2019 but never saw his team make the post-season. He finishes with a record of 121-154-32.
Ottawa sits last in the Eastern Conference, a full 12 points out of playoff positioning, with a mark of 11-15-0.
Martin will make his debut Tuesday night in Arizona against the Coyotes. Ottawa is currently on a four-game losing skid.
Assistant coach Davis Payne was also relieved of his duties on Monday.
OTTAWA SENATORS WEEK AHEAD:
Tuesday, Dec. 19: Ottawa at Arizona (9 pm)
Thursday, Dec. 21: Ottawa at Colorado (9 pm)
Saturday, Dec. 23: Pittsburgh at Ottawa (7 pm)
thegrossgame@yahoo.com
Photo: Courtesy Ottawa Senators
