The word “if” prefaced nearly every question Senators head coach DJ Smith was asked about the future of the club. There is a clear level of uncertainty if Smith will be back for a fifth season behind the bench. New ownership is coming to Ottawa at some point with that there might be some changes.
“Now my job is to get this team into the playoffs if new ownership deems I’m the guy to do it. Now everything changes. Just guiding young guys is one thing, pushing them to make the playoffs is a whole other step. The good thing is I was a part of Toronto when they did it with Mitch Marner and Matthews then I saw them take the step,” Smith told media at his season-ending availability.
Under Smith several young players have blossomed into good NHL players. Tim Stutzle became the first Senators player to hit 90 points in a season since Jason Spezza in 2008. Captain Brady Tkachuk set a career high in points with 83.
“I wouldn’t be in the position I’m in if it wasn’t for DJ (Smith). He’s given me so many opportunity to become the player I am but also the person and leader that I am… I believe he is the coach for us still. We all love playing for him,” Tkachuk told the media at the season-ending media availability.
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It wasn’t just the younger members of the squad reaching new heights, veterans like Claude Giroux reached new milestones.
“There was a certain style I wanted him (Giroux) to play and I wanted him to get to the net. That’s what he did. Claude Giroux scored 35 goals for the first time in his career this year playing the exact style I wanted him to play,” Smith told the media.
Giroux eclipsed the 1000 point mark becoming only the 96th player in NHL history to reach that feat.
The team as a whole has improved over the last three seasons, with the win total increasing each year. Ottawa had 13 more points than they did in the previous campaign.
Pierre Doiron made the famous claim “the rebuild is over” prior to the season and yes, Ottawa missed the playoffs. However, a myriad of issues plagued the Sens this year. Former 35-goal-getter Josh Norris only played eight games. Anton Forsberg tore not one, but both MCLs, Cam Talbot spent four separate stretches of games with injury. Ottawa played seven different goalies this season, and three of them have never played an NHL game prior to this year. To say that this season wasn’t under perfect circumstances would be an understatement.
It hasn’t been easy for Ottawa and it won’t be easy going forward having to compete with the likes of Boston, Tampa Bay and Toronto in the Atlantic division. Smith has the confidence of his captain and the locker room. They finished the season only six points back of the playoffs, while dealing with numerous injuries. Although, Smith’s future with the Senators is unknown, it wouldn’t be surprising to see him behind the bench next season.