D.J. Smith set to join Mike Babcock’s staff in Edmonton

Edmonton is reportedly preparing a prominent coaching-staff addition, with former Ottawa Senators head coach D.J. Smith expected to land a new NHL role alongside Mike Babcock for next season. The move puts Smith in a high-visibility environment, with Babcock still associated in the sport’s public imagination with multiple controversies that have followed him from job to job.

Smith’s last NHL head-coaching stop was in Ottawa, where he led the Senators and became a recognizable voice in the league’s coaching ranks. Now, according to the report, his next opportunity comes in Edmonton rather than as a separate head-coaching post. The distinction matters because it suggests a staff-building strategy in which Smith’s experience is being used to support the overall direction set by Babcock.

Babcock’s presence is the story’s defining edge. He is described by the report as one of hockey’s most polarizing figures, and that characterization frames what Edmonton is effectively taking on, both competitively and reputationally. For a franchise, the coaching room is not only about tactics and player development. It is also about who sets the tone for the team’s standards and how the organization manages scrutiny from fans and media.

For Smith, working under Babcock changes the nature of the task. As a former head coach, he is entering a role where responsibilities can be broader than typical assistants, depending on how the organization divides authority. Still, the report indicates he will be part of Babcock’s structure rather than charting a fully independent course. That means any team-wide improvements or stumbles could quickly become part of the broader narrative around Babcock’s tenure.

The NHL context is that coaching turnover and staffing shifts often mirror roster uncertainty. When a new coach or a high-profile staff change arrives, front offices typically look for message continuity, accountability systems, and day-to-day development that can mesh with the team’s style. Smith’s fit, therefore, will be judged less by isolated ideas and more by whether the coaching staff’s approach translates into consistent performance across all matchups.

What to watch next is whether Edmonton clarifies the exact title and duties for Smith. Reports can confirm that a coach is joining a staff, but the operational details matter: power-play and special-teams oversight, defensive structure, and how game management responsibilities are distributed. The staff’s early-season identity, especially in end-of-game situations, will be a practical test of how the partnership operates.