Brady Tkachuk and Tim Stutzle both shared their thoughts about D.J. Smith, their outgoing head coach.
The Ottawa Senators parted ways with head coach DJ Smith on Monday, and following his dismissal, it was immediately confirmed how much Smith meant to his players. Team captain Brady Tkachuk says he was sad to see Smith go and raved about what he meant to the team.
"Obviously, it's tough," Tkachuk told the media before Tuesday night's loss in Arizona. "D.J. kind of helped me get to where I'm at and Payner (Davis Payne) as well. They both had huge impacts on me as a player, person and as a leader. And I'm grateful for everything that they've done for myself individually and the guys that have been here from the start."
Right after the firing, Tkachuk even had a quiet moment with Smith, the head coach he's had for most of his career.
"He pulled me aside when he found out, and then I saw him again before he left," Tkachuk said. "Yeah, of course, it's tough. We've been through a lot together from day one to where we're at now. I wouldn't be the same person or player that I am now, so I'm really appreciative of everything that he's done for me. It's tough to see a good person and unbelievable coach leave."
Tkachuk knows that the team's play most affects a coach getting fired.
"It kind of falls on us players too," Tkachuk told the media before Tuesday's game. "The responsibility of the way we've been playing and so, of course, it's unfortunate to see. But now, with a decision made, I'm just so thankful for what DJ and Payner did for me."
Tim Stutzle mirrored his friend and teammate's thoughts about Smith and how difficult it was to say goodbye.
"It was just hard," Stutzle told the media after the game on Tuesday night. "He believed in us all the way and all the young guys. I think we're there for like four or five years with him. Everybody loved playing with him. And obviously, he's a great, great guy. So, nobody wants to see that happening."
Stutzle also believes the firing, in many ways, rests on how the players perform as a team.
"I would (have) loved playing for him, but we just weren't good enough," Stutzle said. "So now it's about getting better and getting better every day."