Los Angeles Kings Make Coaching Change Mid-Season
The Los Angeles Kings have made a significant mid-season coaching change, firing head coach Jim Hiller on Sunday morning. The organization announced that associate coach D.J. Smith will take over as interim head coach for the remainder of the 2025-26 NHL season.
Hiller's Tenure Comes to an End
Jim Hiller, who had been at the helm of the Kings since February 2024, was relieved of his duties after the team struggled to maintain consistent performance. Under Hiller's leadership, the Kings compiled a record of 24 wins, 21 losses, and 14 overtime losses this season, leaving them three points behind the Seattle Kraken for the final wild card spot in the Western Conference before Sunday's games.
Kings Vice President and General Manager Ken Holland made the announcement official, stating: "We have relieved Jim Hiller of his duties and named D.J. Smith interim head coach for the remainder of the season." Holland expressed gratitude for Hiller's contributions, noting: "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."
Smith Steps Into Interim Role
D.J. Smith, who is in his second season as the Kings' associate coach, will now lead the team through the remainder of the campaign. Smith brings experience from his time as an assistant coach with the Toronto Maple Leafs, where he worked alongside Hiller on Mike Babcock's staff. Both coaches share this Toronto connection in their professional backgrounds.
Smith will be joined behind the bench by Kings player development coach Matt Greene, who has been promoted to assistant coach. This coaching shuffle comes as the Kings attempt to revitalize their playoff hopes during the final stretch of the regular season.
Timing and Context of the Decision
The coaching change occurs at a critical juncture for the Kings, who made headlines earlier this season with their acquisition of forward Artemi Panarin from the New York Rangers. Holland explained the reasoning behind the timing: "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. These decisions are never made lightly, but our responsibility is to position this team for success now and moving forward."
Hiller becomes the second NHL coach to be fired during the 2025-26 season, following the Columbus Blue Jackets' dismissal of Dean Evason in January. Interestingly, Evason's replacement, Rick Bowness, has led the Blue Jackets to an impressive 10-2-1 record since taking over, demonstrating how coaching changes can sometimes spark immediate improvements.
Looking Ahead for the Kings
The Kings now face the challenge of regrouping under new leadership as they push for a playoff position. With Smith taking the reins on an interim basis, the organization will evaluate his performance while considering long-term coaching options for the future. The team's performance in the coming weeks will determine whether this mid-season adjustment provides the necessary boost to secure a postseason berth.
This coaching transition marks another chapter in the Kings' ongoing efforts to build a competitive team capable of contending in the challenging Western Conference. As the NHL season enters its final stretch, all eyes will be on how Smith adapts to his new role and whether he can guide the Kings back into playoff contention.
