D.J. Smith Brings Much-Needed Experience to Oilers Bench – The Hockey Writers – Edmonton Oilers

On the same day the Edmonton Oilers announced Mike Babcock as the 19th head coach in franchise history, they also introduced D.J. Smith as a new associate coach. For some, adding Smith to the coaching staff helps soften the blow of hiring Babcock, given all of the controversy surrounding this choice for the Oilers’ new bench boss.

Smith Guided LA Kings to Playoffs Last Season

Smith joins the Oilers after a short stint as head coach of the Los Angeles Kings last season. He was hired for the final 23 games of the 2025-26 season, taking over for newly named Toronto Maple Leafs bench boss Jim Hiller.

Smith guided the Kings into the playoffs, where they were swept in the first round by the Colorado Avalanche. He was also head coach of the Ottawa Senators from 2019 to 2024. His 131 wins rank second all-time among Senators head coaches.

A Solid Junior Coaching Career

Before joining the NHL in 2015-16, Smith had an impressive Junior coaching career, winning three Memorial Cup titles. Smith was an assistant coach with the Windsor Spitfires when they won back-to-back Memorial Cups in 2009 and 2010. He then moved to the Oshawa Generals, where he won the Memorial Cup in 2015.

Worked With Babcock for Four Seasons in Toronto

Smith’s first NHL job was as an assistant under Babcock with the Maple Leafs in 2015-16. They led the Maple Leafs to the playoffs in three of their four seasons working together behind the bench (2016-2019), but lost in the first round.

Following his fourth season in Toronto, Smith accepted the head coaching position with the Senators, then moved on to the Kings organization, where he was an assistant under Hiller in Feb. 2024 before he was given the head coaching reins late this past season.

Oilers Need Experienced Assistant Coaches

Adding Smith is good news for an organization that lacked experience in the assistant coaching department last season. When the Oilers lost Glen Gulutzan, who became head coach of the Dallas Stars last summer, the team lacked another experienced voice to complement head coach Kris Knoblauch.

Smith’s NHL experience and his winning pedigree should bring some confidence back to the bench. He’s also familiar with the Oilers, having coached in the same division for the past two seasons. Smith could also be insurance in case Babcock doesn’t work out.

Oilers Busy Before the Draft and Free Agency

Shoring up the coaching positions with Babcock and Smith came on the heels of the Oilers locking up Connor Murphy and Jason Dickinson the day before. With rumours swirling about a Darnell Nurse trade, management could be searching for another defenceman and a goaltender to share the crease with Tristan Jarry this summer.

Having the head coach and assistant in place is important, especially before management starts making roster moves at the draft this weekend and during free agency starting on July 1. Both coaches will likely be consulted on possible additions, and their experience could help bring in the right pieces.

Smith’s Signing Good News for the Organization

After maybe the most controversial start to an offseason in Oilers history, hiring Smith brings a bit of good news to a team that could really use it right now. After all the drama surrounding this hire, including showing interest in Vegas Golden Knights head coach Bruce Cassidy, followed by the controversial firing of Knoblauch, then the negativity surrounding Babcock, Smith seems like a solid solution to work alongside the new head coach. Hopefully, he will help bring the temperature down, since the coaching topic has been by far the hottest conversation starter the city has experienced in a spring and summer with record rainfall.