Full Breakdown
Los Angeles Kings Fire Coach Jim Hiller, Appoint D.J. Smith as Interim Replacement
3/1/2026, 8:52:17 PM
Coaching Change Amid Struggles
The Los Angeles Kings have terminated the contract of head coach Jim Hiller following a disappointing stretch of five losses in six games, which has left the team out of playoff contention. General Manager Ken Holland announced the decision on Sunday, marking his first coaching change since taking over the front office in May 2025. D.J. Smith, previously a player development coach for the Kings, has been appointed as the interim head coach for the remainder of the season. Matt Greene will join Smith's staff as an assistant coach.
Holland expressed gratitude towards Hiller, stating, “I want to thank Jim Hiller for his dedication, professionalism, and the commitment he showed to our players and our team every day.” He emphasized the need for a leadership change to enhance the team's performance, noting, “These decisions are never made lightly, but our responsibility is to position this team for success now and moving forward.”
Hiller's Tenure and Team Performance
Hiller's tenure with the Kings spanned just over two seasons, during which he compiled a record of 93 wins, 58 losses, and 24 overtime losses. Under his leadership, the Kings made the playoffs twice but failed to advance past the first round. The team's recent performance has been particularly concerning, highlighted by an 8-1 defeat to the Edmonton Oilers, which prompted fans to chant for Hiller's dismissal. This loss followed a 6-4 defeat to the Vegas Golden Knights, where the Kings allowed five goals in the third period.
Despite achieving franchise records for victories and points last season, the Kings have struggled this year, exacerbated by the loss of star forward Kevin Fiala, who suffered a season-ending injury during the Olympics. The Kings currently trail the Seattle Kraken by three points for the final wild-card playoff spot in the Western Conference.
D.J. Smith's Background
D.J. Smith, who takes over as interim coach, previously led the Ottawa Senators from 2019 to 2023, experiencing four consecutive non-playoff seasons before his dismissal. He joined the Kings' coaching staff after Hiller's promotion from assistant coach. Smith is the fifth head coach for the Kings since Darryl Sutter was fired in 2017, a period during which the team has not won a playoff series since their last Stanley Cup victory in 2014.
Criticism and Future Outlook
Critics have pointed to the Kings' ongoing struggles in the playoffs and the lack of a clear offensive strategy, despite Holland's efforts to bolster the team with high-scoring players like Artemi Panarin. The Kings' inability to secure playoff success has raised questions about the team's direction and leadership.
As the Kings move forward under Smith's interim leadership, the focus will be on revitalizing the team's performance and potentially securing a playoff spot in the remaining games of the season. The upcoming matches will be crucial in determining the future trajectory of the franchise.
Verbatim Quotes
- “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,” — Ken Holland, General Manager
- “I don't feel good standing here. Those players don't feel good today, but we've got a job to do.” — Jim Hiller, Former Head Coach
