LA Kings Make Coaching Change: D.J. Smith Steps in as Interim Coach Following Jim Hiller’s Departure
Los Angeles Kings Fire Jim Hiller Following Playoff Fallout
The Los Angeles Kings have parted ways with head coach Jim Hiller after a disappointing stretch, having lost five of their last six games and slipping out of playoff contention. D.J. Smith has been appointed as the interim head coach for the remainder of the season, marking the first major change under general manager Ken Holland, who retained Hiller when he joined the organization last May. Player development coach Matt Greene will assist Smith.
In a statement, Holland expressed gratitude for Hiller’s contributions, saying, “I want to thank Jim Hiller for his dedication, professionalism, and the commitment he showed to our players and our team every day. He is a respected coach and person, and we appreciate the work he’s done behind our bench. 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."
Hiller, who concluded his tenure with a record of 93 wins, 58 losses, and 24 overtime losses, guided the Kings to the playoffs twice but failed to secure a postseason series win. His departure follows a particularly troubling loss; the Kings suffered an 8-1 defeat to the Edmonton Oilers, during which frustrated fans chanted “Fire Hiller.” Just a day prior, the team allowed five goals in the third period of a 6-4 loss to a short-handed Vegas team.
While Hiller’s first full season in charge saw the Kings equal franchise records with 48 victories and 105 points, they faced another first-round elimination against the Oilers, continuing a disheartening trend for the franchise. Under his leadership, the Kings maintained a defense-first strategy, though this approach often drew criticism for being less entertaining.
Despite efforts to enhance the team’s offensive capabilities, including the acquisition of high-scoring forward Artemi Panarin, the Kings faced further setbacks when star forward Kevin Fiala sustained a season-ending injury at the Olympics. Currently, they trail Seattle by three points for the final wild-card playoff position in the Western Conference.
D.J. Smith previously served as head coach for the Ottawa Senators from 2019 to 2023, experiencing four non-playoff seasons before his dismissal. He is now the fifth head coach for the Kings since Darryl Sutter, who led the team to its two Stanley Cup championships, was let go in 2017. Since winning their last Cup in 2014, the Kings have not advanced past the first round of the playoffs, making only nine wins in six attempts.
Hiller is the second coach to be dismissed in the NHL this season, following the Columbus Blue Jackets’ decision to replace Dean Evason with Rick Bowness.
