Build a better defensive trap, and the hockey world will beat a path to your door — especially when that ended a quarter-century title drought and the nearest NHL team has been barren for twice as long.
The Toronto Sun is reporting that D.J. Smith, who guided the Oshawa Generals to the Memorial Cup last month and and was Ontario Hockey League coach of the year, has been offered an assistant coach position with the Toronto Maple Leafs, where he played in the 1990s. There were rumours 12 months ago about Smith ascending to the pro ranks from the Generals and three of the previous five Memorial Cup-winning coaches immediately took pro jobs the following summer (and Gerard Gallant spent one season in Saint John after their 2011 triumph before becoming a Montreal Canadiens assistant coach for two seasons).