Playing or coaching in Canada, especially in Toronto, involves greater pressure than in many other NHL markets. Toronto’s status as an Original Six franchise and the Maple Leafs’ lack of a Stanley Cup since 1967 create intense, season-long demand for winning. D.J. Smith has experienced this environment, serving as a Maple Leafs assistant head coach before becoming head coach of the Ottawa Senators. He describes Toronto as a storied franchise where everything is amplified, with constant stories and noise. He also connects organizational impact to having a first overall selection, referencing Auston Matthews’ arrival and immediate production that helped return the team to the playoffs.
"“First off, Toronto is a storied franchise, and you are a part of something special. If you ever had the opportunity to win a Stanley Cup here, just think about the legacy it would leave for your family,” Smith said. “I spent nine years in the Canadian market within the NHL. Obviously, Toronto is a little bigger market than Ottawa, but everything is blown up, no matter what happens. There's a story every day, and I think when I was younger in Ottawa, I listened to some of the noise, but as you get older, you listen less and less.”"
"Smith knows first-hand the impact a first overall selection can have throughout an organization. Smith was entering his second season the summer the Maple Leafs selected current captain Auston Matthews at number one. The now 28-year-old jumped onto the scene as a 19-year-old rookie, recording 69 points over 82 games, and helped the Maple Leafs return to the playoffs. With the lottery victory on May 5, the Maple Leafs once again have the opportunity to bring in the player they see as the best fit."
Read at TheLeafsNation
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