On Sunday, the Los Angeles Kings declared they had dismissed manager Jim Hiller following two campaigns.
Assistant head coach D.J. Smith is assuming command as provisional head, anticipated to remain in that capacity for the season’s duration. The Kings are experiencing an unfavorable February, a month that featured a five-game stretch of defeats, finally concluded on Saturday with a 2-0 victory against Calgary. Los Angeles conceded more goals, 14-5, in a couple of defeats following the Olympic break, even with the boost from acquiring prominent forward Artemi Panarin.
Hiller, 56, was elevated to chief coach subsequent to Todd McLellan’s in-season dismissal in 2024.
“I wish to express gratitude to Jim Hiller for his devotion, professionalism, and the resolve he exhibited towards our players and our squad daily. He is an esteemed coach and individual, and we value the contributions he’s made at our helm,” executive Ken Holland remarked in a declaration. “At this juncture in the season, we conclude an alteration in guidance is essential to provide our squad the optimal chance to fulfill its potential and vie at the standard we anticipate. These choices are never undertaken casually, but our duty is to prepare this team for triumph now and in the future.””
Smith, 48, served as chief coach for the Ottawa Senators for portions of five seasons (2019-2024) and subsequently joined the Kings as a deputy coach. Holland, the Hall of Fame executive renowned for his contributions to establishing the Detroit Red Wings into a dynasty, is in his initial campaign as chief executive in Los Angeles. Ex-Kings blueliner Matt Greene is joining the team personnel as a deputy coach.
By Sunday, the Kings were occupying fifth position in the Pacific Division, and three points lacking a Wild Card playoff berth in the Western Conference. The squad is hoping to maximize skipper Anze Kopitar’s concluding campaign in the NHL, as the 38-year-old center declared his planned departure in September.
The Kings have been contending with significant injury woes recently. Kevin Fiala is sidelined for the entire season after sustaining a severe left leg injury at the Olympics while participating for Switzerland. Additionally, on Saturday, it was revealed Andrei Kuzmenko is classified as week-to-week after having undergone an operation to mend a ruptured meniscus.
Los Angeles has qualified for the Stanley Cup playoffs in four consecutive campaigns but fell to the Edmonton Oilers in the initial stage each time. The Kings have not progressed beyond the preliminary round of the playoffs since claiming their most recent Stanley Cup in 2014.
Hiller was severely censured in the previous year’s postseason for a failed coach’s review of the Oilers’ equalizing goal in Game 3 of their opening round series. Edmonton subsequently netted the decisive goal on the subsequent power play opportunity. The unsuccessful review acted as the turning point in the series. The Kings squandered a 2-0 series advantage and were knocked out after dropping four consecutive contests.