DJ Smith finds a new job behind an NHL bench

According to multiple reports, the Los Angeles Kings have added former Ottawa Senators head coach D.J. Smith as an assistant to interim head coach Jim Hiller.

Hiller, of course, took over for former head coach Todd McLellan who was fired by Kings GM Rob Blake this past weekend.

The Kings have lost 14 of their last 17 games and look to be in a complete tailspin. It'll be up to Hiller, Smith and fellow assistants Derik Johnson and Trent Yawney to right the ship in Hollywood.

Smith was finally, mercifully cut loose by the Senators in December following five failed seasons in Ottawa. He put up a dismal 131 - 154 - 32 record from 2019 until 2023. Interestingly enough, Smith and Hiller worked together on Mike Babcock's staff with the Toronto Maple Leafs from 2015 until 2019. 

“We would like to add an assistant from the outside,” Blake said during a press conference Monday in Los Angeles. “That will be a process here over the next few days to look into, just to give us a different look.”

Now, jut a day later there are reports that Smith has been hired.