Los Angeles Kings Part Ways with Head Coach Jim Hiller
The Los Angeles Kings have decided to part ways with head coach Jim Hiller following a disappointing stretch, where the team managed to secure only one victory in their last six outings. This disappointing performance has resulted in the Kings falling out of contention for a playoff spot. General Manager Ken Holland, who took the reins of the front office in May 2022 and retained Hiller from the previous regime, has now appointed D.J. Smith as the interim head coach for the remainder of the season. Matt Greene, who has been involved in player development, will support Smith as an assistant coach.
Reasons for the Coaching Change
In making this decision, Holland expressed his gratitude toward Hiller, emphasizing his professionalism and dedication to the team.
“At this point in the season, we believe a change in leadership is necessary to give our group the best opportunity to reach its potential and compete at the level we expect,”
stated Holland. The urgency of this change was highlighted by a dreadful 8-1 defeat to the Edmonton Oilers, which included fan chants demanding Hiller’s dismissal as the team struggled on the ice. This loss followed a previous night where they surrendered five goals in the final period of a 6-4 defeat against a depleted Vegas team, further underscoring the team’s need for a turnaround.
Hiller’s Tenure and Performance
Hiller’s tenure lasted just over two full seasons, during which he compiled a record of 93 wins, 58 losses, and 24 overtime losses. He guided the Kings into the playoffs twice but was unable to advance past the first round in either instance. Hiller, a seasoned NHL assistant prior to this role, was elevated to head coach in February 2024, following the termination of Todd McLellan. Despite achieving a franchise record in wins and points last season, the Kings faced consecutive first-round exits from the playoffs against the same Edmonton team this past year.
Challenges Ahead for the Kings
During his time, Hiller maintained a defensive style of play reminiscent of McLellan’s approach, though it failed to energize the fanbase. Holland acknowledged the team’s ongoing offensive challenges, attempting to rectify this by trading for star winger Artemi Panarin, only to see forward Kevin Fiala suffer a season-ending injury during Olympic play. Now, with the Kings trailing Seattle for the final Western Conference wild-card spot and the season approaching its climax, the franchise faces an uncertain road ahead.
D.J. Smith’s New Role
As for D.J. Smith, he previously led the Ottawa Senators from 2019 until his firing in 2023 after a dismal start to his fifth season. His new role marks a significant challenge, as the Kings seek to break their playoff drought, which has lingered since their last Stanley Cup win in 2014.
