Latest news with #DJSmith
New York Times
29-05-2025
- Business
- New York Times
What I'm hearing about Penguins coaching search's final stages
PITTSBURGH — We are nearing the end of the Pittsburgh Penguins' search for their next head coach. Kyle Dubas is conducting in-person interviews with candidates this week in Pittsburgh. There is a chance a new coach will be named by the end of this week. Dubas told The Athletic earlier this month that he would like to have his new coach in place by June 1, which is Sunday. Advertisement So, who will it be? Only Dubas knows. He is largely conducting this search on his own. He has his advisers, of course, but ownership has very little say in any of this. This is Dubas' show. Here's what I can tell you: • Mitch Love is on the short list of contenders. He is also a contender for the Boston Bruins job. The Penguins are very impressed with everything Love had to say while interviewing. Dubas and the Penguins are impressed with his involvement in the Washington Capitals' success. The Penguins, in many ways, would like to be the Capitals. They're good defensively. They're tough. They've got a boatload of young players helping their cause. They've rebounded from what looked like a long rebuild and are suddenly contenders again. That's what the Penguins are looking for, and Love knows how to make it happen. He's also familiar with a team featuring young players bundled with an aging superstar in Alex Ovechkin. He checks plenty of boxes. • D.J. Smith, a Los Angeles Kings assistant coach who previously coached the Ottawa Senators, is another candidate who impresses the Penguins. In some ways, the Kings mirror the Capitals. They're tough. They're good defensively. They have a lot of good, young players. They've bounced back quickly after falling from their championship days to become contenders again. You see the theme emerging here. • Jay Woodcroft is another name to keep in mind. He had some success as head coach of the Edmonton Oilers before being dismissed in 2023. He's also been a part of two successful organizations, previously working for the Detroit Red Wings and the San Jose Sharks. The Penguins like him, too. • David Quinn has acquitted himself nicely in his first season with the Penguins. As an assistant on Mike Sullivan's staff, he fixed the power play, which earned him the respect of Pittsburgh's star players. Advertisement Quinn also has plenty of coaching experience, previously guiding the New York Rangers and the Sharks. I wouldn't totally discount his candidacy, but I still think it's a bit of a long shot for Quinn to get this job. I sense that Dubas and the Penguins want to bring fresh blood into the organization. • Sometimes, logistics are a problem. The Penguins like Dallas Stars assistant Alain Nasreddine, who played in the Penguins organization and whose only NHL goal came off a Sidney Crosby assist. It's tough to interview and hire a coach whose team is still playing in the postseason. The Stars' run could end as early as Thursday night. • Another name could emerge, but Dubas is keeping very quiet about his candidates. Regardless, it won't be long now. • While the coaching search is at the forefront of Penguins fans' minds, don't forget that free agency opens in a mere 32 days. What should we expect from the Penguins when July 1 arrives? The Penguins will, no doubt, make some signings, but I wouldn't expect any massive moves. Mitch Marner? Nah, I don't think so. 'I don't know how good we're going to be, but we're going to be as good as the young guys make us,' a Penguins team source said earlier this week. 'We're going young next season.' The Penguins have some money to spend in free agency, and like last summer, they'll make some moves. I wouldn't expect any lengthy or lucrative deals, though. I sense that Dubas doesn't think one or two huge additions are enough to put this team in the championship discussion. Could a couple of huge additions make the Penguins a playoff team? Sure. But remember, Dubas isn't worried about just making the postseason. He wants something much bigger. The plan is to let the Penguins' youth develop and, when it begins to suggest winning is on the horizon, to spend aggressively in free agency. You'll most likely see Dubas and the Penguins turn hyper-aggressive in free agency in the summer of 2026. The Penguins will likely still aggressively pursue players on the trade market or via other avenues this summer. But their expectations are realistic, so I don't see Dubas spending wildly. Advertisement I would expect the blue line to be addressed in free agency. The Penguins love some of their up-and-coming defensemen, but they're not quite ready to make a dent at the NHL level next season. • Marco Rossi's name has been floating around in trade rumors, and the Penguins are a potential suitor. The Penguins like him. He fits the profile they want. It's not often that young, talented players such as Rossi are available on the trade market. He's No. 2 on Chris Johnston's offseason trade board for a reason. By accumulating so many draft picks, the Penguins have the ammunition to go after players like Rossi. Dubas doesn't seem all that interested in bringing in players in their 30s. He's trying to build for the long haul. Rossi doesn't turn 24 until September. He's a name to keep in mind. • Teams continue to call the Penguins about a potential trade for Bryan Rust. Rust's no-trade clause expires on July 1, after which the Penguins won't need to ask his permission to trade him. Now, I'd be surprised if they do trade him. He should be wearing an 'A' on his sweater. He's Crosby's favorite winger and a terrific player on a very good contract. His reputation for being wonderful with young players fits the long-term plan. In other words, he's the kind of guy you want to keep around. I think the Penguins will do just that — unless, of course, a team makes Dubas an outrageous offer. My gut says Rust will stay this season, and it wouldn't shock me if he sticks through the final three seasons on his contract. He's beloved in the organization. You have to imagine, though, how tempting it will be to entertain significant offers for him. It will be something interesting to monitor all season. (Photo of Mitch Love: Jess Rapfogel / NHLI via Getty Images)
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
5 RFA Forwards The Penguins Should Pursue This Summer
Report: Former Senators Coach D.J. Smith Appears To Be Back On NHL Head Coaching Radars D.J. Smith's record during his four and a half years as head coach of the Ottawa Senators wasn't exactly Jack Adams material. When he was fired by the club 17 months ago, he had started the 2023-24 season with a points percentage of .423, worse than any of the four mediocre seasons that preceded it. 0:39 Now Playing Paused Ad Playing
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Report: Former Senators Coach D.J. Smith Appears To Be Back On NHL Head Coaching Radars
D.J. Smith's record during his four and a half years as head coach of the Ottawa Senators wasn't exactly Jack Adams material. When he was fired by the club 17 months ago, he had started the 2023-24 season with a points percentage of .423, worse than any of the four mediocre seasons that preceded it.
Washington Post
11-03-2025
- Sport
- Washington Post
Robert Morris rallies to beat Oakland 79-76 in OT in Horizon League Tournament semifinal
INDIANAPOLIS — Kam Woods scored 19 of his 23 points after halftime and DJ Smith hit a go-ahead 3-pointer in overtime to help top seed Robert Morris survive an upset bet from sixth-seeded Oakland with a 79-76 victory on Monday night in a Horizon League Tournament semifinal. The Colonials (25-8), who have won seven in a row, will play for the tournament championship on Tuesday against the winner of Monday's other semifinal matchup between No. 2 seed Cleveland State and No. 4 seed Youngstown State.
