Im really torn on DJ Smith for so many reasons.
On the one hand, I dont believe that he will ultimately guide this team to a cup, It will be someone else who took us to the finish line if it ever happens with this core. And along with his slow starts and somewhat consistent lineup mistakes, even the biggest fan of "truculence" in hockey would probably agree that he overvalues size and strength in players over basic hockey skills - especially in the bottom half of his lineup.
But on the other hand, I actually do think hes the right guy for the job at the moment.
Above all other reasons, even his biggest critics should feel shame if they wont admit that when he has his team playing with the intensity level that he demands from every player - its a fun thing of beauty to watch as a hockey fan. We have never had this kind of team before, its kinda cool.
Hes not using Guy Boucher style cheap parlor tricks to steal games from more talented teams either. Hell no. His team is just straight up working harder and faster, and playing with more purpose than the other one. Instead of our wins feeling dirty like Bouchers teams did so many times (lol the shot differential was a monstrosity on a good night) - DJs team actually makes you still feel proud even in the loses.
Toronto made the mistake of firing their coach right before their young superstars figured it all out through the tough love were getting. Babcock was an ass to be sure - but he also knows how to win games when it matters most. And he knew his top players were not playing the way that is required for champions to win. And his main guys werent buying into that.
And yet right when they needed a firm hand the most - Dubas went ahead and fired the boogey man that was scaring his kids and refusing to give them a free pass for just being who they are, and instead replaced him with a 10-ply coach. One that has the same level of presence in a room that the intern at Tesla whos taking the minutes during one of Elons conferences calls does.... the dude literally has like the 5th or 6th say in the room if we count from Shanny down.. And the results have been laughably predictable thus far......
So at the very least lets let DJ continue to brainwash our top young players into playing the right way for another season or two- and then it will have become a culture here if its coming from all of the top players down. At which point we can consider an upgrade at coaching, imo.