The Ottawa Senators have had added another experienced voice to coach D.J Smith’s staff for next season.
The Senators confirmed Sunday they’ve hired former St. Louis Blues head coach Davis Payne as an assistant on Smith’s staff with associate coach Jack Capuano. Most recently, Payne spent two years working on coach Phil Housley’s staff with the Buffalo Sabres, but was let go at the end of the season.
The arrival of the 48-year-old Payne gives the club two former NHL coaches on its staff for next season Payne was head coach of the Blues from 2009-to-2012. He compiled a 67-55-15 record in 137 games behind the St. Louis bench over parts of three seasons.
He has also worked as an assistant with the Los Angeles Kings and signed a three-year deal with the Senators. Capuano is a former head coach of the New York Islanders and was most recently an associate coach in Florida.
“He’s coached in the NHL for 10 years, he’s a won a Stanley Cup (in Los Angeles), he’s won a Kelly Cup in the East Coast league as a head coach,” Smith said. “I’m attracted to people that win and find ways to win. He has a very good track record and he coached under Darryl Sutter. There’s a lot to like. I’m excited to bring him to the staff.”
Stepping behind the bench as a head coach in the NHL for the first time in his career, Smith felt it was important to add experience to his staff.
“I think it was the right move,” said Smith. “It’s the most experience possible for an NHL head coach. They know how the NHL works, they know what they have to do on a daily basis so I can do the things I believe I’m good at and that’s building relationships with the players. They can concentrate more on the systems.”
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