DJ Smith Brings Much-Needed Experience to Oilers Bench – Hockey Writers – Edmonton Oilers

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

Smith Guided the LA Kings to the Playoffs last season

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

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

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.

He 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.

After his fourth season in Toronto, Smith accepted a head coaching position with the Senators, then moved on to the Kings organization, where he became an assistant under Hiller in February 2024 before being given the head coaching duties late last season.

Oilers Need Experienced Assistant Coaches

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

Smith’s NHL experience and winning pedigree should bring confidence back to the bench. He is familiar with the Oilers as he has coached in the same division for the past two seasons. Smith could also be insurance in case Babcock is out of action.

Fats Busy Before the Draft and Free Center

Adjusting 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 rumors swirling about a Darnell Nurse trade, management may be looking for another defenseman and goalkeeper to share the crease with Tristan Jarry this summer.

Having a head coach and an assistant in place is important, especially before management begins making roster moves in the draft this weekend and during free agency that begins July 1. Both coaches will likely be approached about a potential addition, and their experience could help bring in the right pieces.

Smith Signing Good News for the Organization

After the most controversial start in Oilers history, hiring Smith brings good news for a team that could really use it right now. After all the drama surrounding this hiring, 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 coach. Hopefully he’ll help lower the temperature, as the topic of training has been a hot conversation starter for the city that has experienced a spring and summer with record rainfall.