The Ottawa Senators made a stunning announcement on Monday, firing head coach D.J. Smith just 26 games into the 2023-24 NHL season. The decision comes on the heels of the team's fourth consecutive loss, further adding to their disappointing performance.

Smith, who was in his fifth season behind the bench in Ottawa, had compiled a 131-154-32 record through 317 games. However, the Senators' lackluster. 464 points percentage during his tenure placed them 25th in the NHL. The team failed to qualify for the playoffs under Smith's guidance, with their best finish being 86 points last season.

The 46-year-old Smith also held the distinction of being tied for the fifth-longest tenured head coach in the NHL. Unfortunately, his lack of success separated him from his colleagues with similar tenures, as three of the four coaches with longer tenures had delivered Stanley Cup championships for their respective teams.

Replacing Smith on an interim basis is Jacques Martin, a seasoned NHL coach with a wealth of experience. Although Martin had not been a head coach since the 2011-12 season with the Montreal Canadiens, he had served as an assistant with the successful Pittsburgh Penguins, winning Stanley Cups in 2016 and 2017. Martin was recently hired as a special advisor to the coaching staff in Ottawa and now assumes the role as interim head coach.

Adding further excitement to the coaching staff shake-up, the Senators announced that franchise legend Daniel Alfredsson would be joining Martin's staff as an assistant coach. Alfredsson, the team's all-time leader in goals and points, brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the coaching staff, having captained the Senators from 1999 to 2013.

The decision to part ways with Smith and make coaching changes arose from the team's lack of consistency and their aspirations to end a six-year playoff drought. The Senators, currently sitting at the bottom of the Eastern Conference with an 11-15 record, struggled to show any signs of improvement, prompting the management to take action.

Ottawa's next home game against the Penguins on Saturday looms large, as the Senators' management made pre-emptive moves to avoid potential backlash from the home crowd. The disgruntled fans had already voiced their displeasure with chants of 'Fire D.J.' during previous games, and the team hoped to avoid any further public outcry with a fresh coaching staff.

With the firing of D.J. Smith, the Senators hope that the combination of Jacques Martin's experience and Daniel Alfredsson's influence will bring a renewed sense of vigor and propel the team towards success. Only time will tell if these changes can turn the tide for the struggling Ottawa Senators.