After Pierre Dorion's mutual parting of the ways with the Senators on Wednesday, Head Coach D.J. Smith and captain Brady Tkachuk were asked for their reaction.
Former Ottawa Senators GM Pierre Dorion is the man who gave D.J. Smith his big break as an NHL head coach. In 2019, Smith was a well-regarded assistant coach in Toronto when Dorion hired him to replace the outgoing Guy Boucher.
After practice Thursday, as the Senators prepared to host the Los Angeles Kings, Smith was asked by the media about Dorion's exit. If the news was difficult for Smith, he didn't let his emotions show. Yes, there was a runny nose and a lot of throat clearing but he always has that. Smith handled questions professionally and business-like.
"Yeah, obviously, I'm very thankful for him for giving me my opportunity to come here," Smith told the media. "And, you know, worked with him every day... It's unfortunate, and it's unfortunate for the families, his family, and everything involved. But this is part of the business, and it's the hard part of the business, and we have no choice but to move on and look to a fresh start with Michael (Andlauer) and Steve (Staios).
"Our coaching staff has a fresh start here – November 1st – to start making some ground and winning some hockey games. For us, that's got to be the focus, to make these players better and win hockey games. That's a tough part of the business, but it's part of it, and if you're in this business, you're used to it."
The new interim GM is Steve Staios, who adds that role to his current ones: President of Hockey Ops and Michael Andlauer's trusted right-hand man. Staios gave Smith and his entire staff a vote of confidence on Wednesday.
"The message is that (Steve Staios) believes in the coaching staff and that we can get the best out of these guys," Smith said. If you reflect on the games, we've had some very good moments, and we've had some low moments. There are some guys that we still have to get playing better.
"(But) it's early in the year. It's eight games in, and we have a job to do. Our job is to win hockey games, and (Staios) has given us that confidence. Now we've got to go do the job."
Team captain Brady Tkachuk recalled how Dorion was the one who drafted him, signed him, and believed in him from day one.
"I'm thankful and very appreciative for what (Dorion) has done for me and my family," Tkachuk told the media. "On behalf of the team, we want to wish him all the best in his next adventure. And we wouldn't be in our position if it wasn't for him, so we're very thankful for what he's done."