I don't feel he did 'bad.' He just didn't do enough to make me feel he did a 'good' job. I found him very vanilla. He certainly doesn't know when to pull the goalie.
D.J. Smith Hotseat Thread
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Time for Holland to earn his money.
Hire that new coach. Show the fans your vision of Kings hockey. Let the final piece of the Blake clown show go away.
While we’re at it, let’s hope the Kings get both a new coach and Team President.
This team needs a bright future.
It’s been in the dark far too long.
Hire that new coach. Show the fans your vision of Kings hockey. Let the final piece of the Blake clown show go away.
While we’re at it, let’s hope the Kings get both a new coach and Team President.
This team needs a bright future.
It’s been in the dark far too long.
Dr. Tran
Super Star
Keeping DJ Smith may not be a bad thing. He was good at motivating the players. Anyway, improving the roster is more important than. If we do that he’ll probably do a better job coaching than he did this season.
No Dan Bylsma?
Statue4Deano
Super Star
On his most recent podcast Mayor says don’t be too surprised if DJ returns as head coaches next season.
If the options are keep DJ on for another season or bring in a second-tier re-tread like Jay Woodcroft I’m probably leaning DJ because I just witnessed how the team responded to him being the bench. He wasn’t even in the top 10 of problems as why the team lost in Round 1.
If the options are keep DJ on for another season or bring in a second-tier re-tread like Jay Woodcroft I’m probably leaning DJ because I just witnessed how the team responded to him being the bench. He wasn’t even in the top 10 of problems as why the team lost in Round 1.
DryKing
Power Forward
Nothing against DJ, but I think keeping him would be a mistake. Holland needs to change the culture and put a stamp on how he wants the team to look by selecting his own HC rather than inheriting one.
Also what is the definition of insanity? At this point for the Kings it is to continue the cycle of promoting an assistance coach to the head coach role. It's time to break the cycle of ineptitude.
If they do keep DJ, it really needs to be on a 1 year "prove it" contract as I think DJ's coaching style will lose reception with the players more quickly than most (to his credit, though, he did get an extension after his first two years with Ottawa). This also gives an alternate option, such as Lord, and extra year in the AHL before attempting to make the jump.
Statue4Deano
Super Star
The current roster is so broken that I don’t think a head coach matters all that much. Even Hiller had the Kings within a couple wins of the 8th seed when he was fired.
A short term extension for DJ shows stability in the position and avoids the perception of a revolving door. Also I think ownership is going to scoff at the high salary a top tier head coach will require with Hiller’s final year still on the books.
DryKing
Power Forward
Valid points and going in that direction definitely has its advantages. Weird thing is that the Kings have become notorious for paying average, and first time, Head Coaches top dollar, so financially I don't think they will save much - but showing the Organization is stable is paramount right now.
There isn't a high probability that Holland will build a contender in the next two years with DJ as HC, though, even if he is able to significantly improve the roster.
DryKing
Power Forward
He looks promising but I would like to see if he can win an AHL playoff series.
It does seem to be just wash/rinse/repeat from the last few years, though. Coach gets fired, assistant coach comes in and does just good enough to keep him on. New coach gets a full year or two, makes mistakes, loses the team, etc.
Smith wasn't in the top 10 problems, but he wasn't in the top 10 solutions either. Again, I didn't see anything in his playoff coaching that made me think he could make a difference. He was the vanilla ice cream cone of playoff coaches.
VCRW
Classic player
New wrinkle in the Cassidy story today. Seems he is still under contract to Las Vegas!?!? The Oilers have just requested permission to talk with Cassidy and speculation is the Knights won't allow him to go to a conference rival. Guess that would also include the Kings if VGK declines giving permission.
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NothingBut5Hole
Prospect
That's a smart move by a team that is afraid of their coaching future.
I'm amazed they haven't tried to trade Cassidy to someone in the Eastern Conf......is that even a thing? I know my beloved Raiders did it with Chucky and it worked out well for them.
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Statue4Deano
Super Star
Jon Rosen says Bruce Cassidy interviewed with the Kings last week.
Vegas made Oil look bad as they are holding Knockblauch but talking to other coaches.
Smart move would be for Ken to call Oil and ask to talk to Knochblauch.
Stir the pot and add a coach to list, that took Oil to finals previous 2 seasons.
Kings interviewed Cassidy on Friday it seems.
Smart move would be for Ken to call Oil and ask to talk to Knochblauch.
Stir the pot and add a coach to list, that took Oil to finals previous 2 seasons.
Kings interviewed Cassidy on Friday it seems.
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santiclaws
I was in the pool!!
Friedman says neither the Kings nor the Oilers were given permission (yet) to speak to Cassidy. And Vegas was only too happy to spill the beans that the Oilers asked. Knoblach's three-year extension hasn't even kicked in yet.
Edmonton looked at the Toronto dysfunction and said "hold my beer, eh!"
Edmonton looked at the Toronto dysfunction and said "hold my beer, eh!"
JayWells24
Top Forward
Craig Berube was canned this morning by the Leafs. I would not be surprised if Holland reaches out to him for an interview this week.
Clif
Super Star
I wouldn’t be surprised either but please, no. Tried to jam the Leafs into a box this year and it just didn’t work. He said the players didn’t work hard enough. Hiller all over again only not as bad because no one is that bad. But we need much more of a departure.