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Toronto In Danger Of Losing Head Coach To Division Rival

Published December 19, 2023 at 4:48 PM
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Following the firing of DJ Smith, the Ottawa Senators are exploring the possibility of recruiting the current Toronto Marlies Head Coach.

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Leading Contender for Senators Coaching Position Emerges from Toronto Marlies



With DJ Smith's departure, the Ottawa Senators find themselves in search of their next head coach.


According to Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun, John Gruden, the Head Coach of the Toronto Marlies, stands as the favorite candidate for the role.

"If you're looking for a front­runner, league executives have told Postmedia in the last couple of weeks that the top candidate may be John Gruden, who was named the head coach of the American Hockey League's Toronto Marlies (the top farm team of the Toronto Maple Leafs) before the start of the season."


As a former Senators' defenseman, Gruden also has some familiarity with the organization.

Gruden, the Leading Candidate for Senators Job, Yet to Coach in the NHL



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While Gruden has not yet had NHL head coaching experience, his extensive background includes coaching at the OHL level and serving as an NHL assistant coach for the Islanders for a period and the Bruins last season, during which they enjoyed one of the most successful seasons in NHL history.


Whoever gets hired, there will be a lot of expectations for him, considering the Senators have what it takes to become a top team in the league.

Do you think the Senators will hire Gruden?

As seen on House of Hockey - Ottawa Senators To Poach Toronto Head Coach After Firing DJ Smith
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December 19   |   72 answers
Toronto In Danger Of Losing Head Coach To Division Rival

Do you think the Senators will poach Gruden from the Marlies?

Yes4359.7 %
No2940.3 %
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