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GARRIOCH: Ottawa Senators coach D.J. Smith gets some security after signing two-year contract extension

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D.J. Smith will be a staple behind the Ottawa Senators bench.

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The Senators have agreed to a two-year contract extension with the 44-year-old Smith that includes a club option.

While Smith was headed into the final year of his contract, this means he’ll have some security and is a sign from the organization that the club is committed to showing its young core that they’re in for the long haul as this rebuild enters its next phase.

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In two years since being brought in by general manager Pierre Dorion to take over behind the bench, Smith has done a solid job helping the club’s young players make progress. He has put the likes of Brady Tkachuk, Drake Batherson, Josh Norris and 2020 No. 3 overall pick Tim Stuetzle in positions where they can succeed.

Smith thanked Ottawa owner Eugene Melnyk and Dorion for the confidence they’ve shown in him and he’s confident this group is headed in the right direction.

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“We’ve had a lot of tough days but we’re certainly in a way better spot than we were a couple of years ago and you’re starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel,” said Smith. “For them (the organization) trusting me to continue to guide this group, I couldn’t be happier for myself and my family that we’re allowed this opportunity.”

The Senators need to sign restricted free agents Brady Tkachuk and Drake Batherson to new deals in this off-season and this is a message to them they should have no concerns there will be a new face in the room. This is the first time Ottawa has signed a coach to an extension since Paul MacLean inked a three-year deal with the team in 2013 after being named the NHL’s coach of the year.

Ideally, the Senators would like Tkachuk to sign a long-term extension and this is just a sign that Smith is in this for the long haul. Talks are continuing with representatives for all the club’s restricted free agents and those talks will continue until both sides find a resolution. The organization is trying to keep those discussions close to the vest.

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“It’s good to have stability at the coaching position and it also shows that we’re growing together,” said Smith. “I’ve made a lot of mistakes as a head coach, players make mistakes all the time, and I think we’re growing together and that’s really exciting to be a part of it. Nobody’s perfect, but I can tell you myself and my family couldn’t be happier to have the chance to win with this group.

“We know how hard it is to win in this league. But I think the kids are better and the additions we’ve made today are going to make us better.”

The 14th coach in the history of the franchise, Smith has a 48-61-17 in his first two years behind the bench.

“D.J. Smith represents an integral component of our long-term vision,” said Melnyk. “He’s a tireless worker who has done a tremendous job over the last two years in moulding our core group of players into a cohesive unit. His admirable combination of passion, energy and positivity has been the driving force in instilling a culture that we want to maintain here for years to come.”

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Dorion said Smith has gotten the players to buy into the program. If you’ve never had the chance to be around Smith, he’s got an infectious personality and he’s the kind of guy who can get the players to rally for the cause. The Senators were strong down the stretch and Dorion has often stated that “it’s never a bad day” if you’re Smith because he’s usually wearing a smile.

“Teamwork is the key to success in any organization,” said Dorion. “D.J.’s exceptional ability to communicate with our players, with the team’s coaching staff and with our management group is one of his greatest attributes. He consistently has the team prepared to play hard and energetically, which is what we want displayed as our identify. He’s very deserving of this extension.”

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Smith said he’s learned about what it takes to be a head coach over the course of the last two seasons.

“Some of these guys that are coaching and go on to win the Stanley Cup, these are guys that have been around for years and years,” said Smith. “These are guys that have coached for a long time, and I think you get better and better and more mature. You don’t react to certain situations. As a coach, you’re presented with 20 different situations, some little and some major, but the more you’re around the better you’re able to handle them.

“As a young coach, you get a little more heated and you react to everything differently. At the end of the day, the best coach is the guy that can be the calmest and have his team play with energy and hard every day. You see some of the older guys, they don’t react as much, and they have more solutions. Whether it’s systems-wise or dealing with players, you get more mature and better as a coach. I hope to continue to get better.”

bgarrioch@postmedia.com

Twitter: @sungarrioch

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