In a shocking move that has sent ripples through the hockey world, the Los Angeles Kings have fired head coach Jim Hiller, replacing him with associate coach D.J. Smith for the remainder of the season. But here's where it gets controversial—was this decision justified, or is it a knee-jerk reaction to a few rough patches? Let’s dive into the details and let you decide.
Hiller, 56, had a respectable 93-58-24 record over three seasons after taking the reins from Todd McLellan, who was dismissed on February 2, 2024. Despite this, the Kings currently sit fifth in the Pacific Division with a 24-21-14 record. Their recent performance has been uneven, with a 2-0 win against the Calgary Flames on Saturday marking only their second victory in eight games (2-5-1). The team is set to host the Colorado Avalanche on Monday at 10:30 p.m. ET, airing on FDSNW, KTVD, and ALT2. And this is the part most people miss—the Kings’ special teams have been struggling, ranking 26th on the power play (16.3%) and 28th on the penalty kill (75.7%). Their goals per game average of 2.53 places them 29th in the league, a stark contrast to last season’s home dominance, where they tied for the NHL lead with 31 wins at Crypto.com Arena.
General manager Ken Holland explained the decision, stating, ‘We had a couple of tough games going into the Olympic break, and I was hoping the time off and the mini training camp would help the team respond. Unfortunately, the results weren’t there, especially after the 8-1 loss to Edmonton. I took time to reflect on Friday and decided a change was necessary, but I didn’t want to make the move right before a game.’ Holland’s comments highlight the pressure to turn things around quickly, but is mid-season coaching change the answer? That’s a question that’s sure to spark debate.
Adding to the intrigue, newly acquired forward Artemi Panarin has managed just one assist in two games since signing a two-year, $22 million contract following his trade from the New York Rangers. Panarin, 34, had been a standout performer for the Rangers, leading the team with 57 points (19 goals, 38 assists) in 52 games before the Olympic break. His slow start with the Kings raises questions about whether the team’s struggles are systemic or individual.
D.J. Smith, 48, steps into the head coaching role after serving as associate coach for two full seasons. He previously coached the Ottawa Senators from 2019 to 2023, compiling a 131-154-32 record in 317 regular-season games before being fired on December 18, 2023. Smith also spent four years as an assistant with the Toronto Maple Leafs (2015-2019). Joining him on the bench will be player development coach Matt Greene, who takes on an assistant coaching role.
Hiller’s dismissal comes despite his impressive 21-12-1 record as interim coach during the 2023-24 season, which earned him a three-year contract extension through 2026-27. Last season, the Kings finished 48-25-9 but fell to the Edmonton Oilers in the Western Conference First Round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the fourth consecutive year. Hiller’s coaching resume also includes stints as an assistant with the New York Islanders (2019-22), Maple Leafs (2015-19), and Detroit Red Wings (2014-15). He even played 63 NHL games as a forward for the Kings, Red Wings, and Rangers from 1992-94 after being drafted by Los Angeles in the 10th round (No. 207) of the 1989 NHL Draft.
Holland praised Hiller’s contributions, saying, ‘Jim’s dedication, professionalism, and commitment to our players and team were unwavering. He’s a respected coach and person, and we’re grateful for his work. However, at this point in the season, we believe a change in leadership is necessary to maximize our potential and compete at the level we expect.’ But is this move enough to turn the Kings’ season around, or is it too little, too late?
Hiller becomes the second coach fired this season, following Dean Evason of the Columbus Blue Jackets, who was replaced by Rick Bowness on January 12. This trend of mid-season coaching changes raises broader questions about the NHL’s approach to team performance—are coaches being held unfairly accountable for issues beyond their control? We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments. Do you think the Kings made the right call, or is this a recipe for further instability? Let the debate begin!
