Senators head coach D.J. Smith paid his dues on his road to the top

Senators head coach D.J. Smith paid his dues on his road to the top

The 42-year-old Smith has paid his dues to get here. He’s earned the right to take the next step in the coaching level when he steps behind the bench for the Senators’ opener against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Oct. 2 in his old stamping grounds at Scotiabank Arena.