Kings interim head coach Jim Hiller is the “overwhelming favorite” to fill their vacancy behind the bench, according to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman on Monday’s “32 Thoughts” podcast (audio link).
The Kings went 21-12-1 (.632) with Hiller at the helm after the All-Star break but were dispatched quickly by the Oilers in five games in the first round. Hiller took over on an interim basis for Todd McLellan, who L.A. fired after four and a half seasons amid a 4-8-6 post-Christmas stretch.
It would be the 55-year-old’s first shot as a full-time NHL head coach. The former Kings, Rangers and Red Wings right wing had a short-lived NHL career as a player in the 1992-93 and 1993-94 seasons, accumulating eight goals and 20 points in 63 games across the three franchises.
Hiller suited up in the minor leagues and overseas until retiring in 2002, entering the major junior ranks as an assistant coach with the Western Hockey League’s Tri-City Americans the following season. He became their head coach in 2006 after a brief detour with the British Columbia Hockey League’s Alberni Valley Bulldogs, a role he held before departing for an NHL assistant job with the Red Wings in 2014.
He spent one season in Detroit and the next seven years in assistant roles for the Maple Leafs and Islanders before joining L.A. ahead of the 2022-23 campaign. After 10 years of service as an assistant, he’ll likely land his first head coaching gig in the majors.
The Kings controlled possession above average under Hiller, logging 51.8% of shot attempts at even strength. It was considerably lower than the 56.0 CF% they had to start the season under McLellan, though. In fact, a 51.8 CF% over a full season would be the Kings’ worst since the 2020-21 campaign, when they missed the playoffs with a 21-28-7 record in the COVID-shortened season.
Los Angeles moving to retain Hiller would leave the Devils, Sharks, Kraken and Jets as the four remaining vacancies league-wide.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports.
NMU alum makes good!
More massive mistakes by AEG allowing moron Rob Blake to remain in charge and continue destroying this club. Unacceptable!
How is it that Blake prioritized Dubois acquisition over goal tending and traded away some decent assets in the process? I think he’s had enough opportunity, but he and Luc are linked so …
So 1-3-1 run it back? Because it’s been so successful?
That Corsi is also a good indicator he did nothing special at all.
Just more Rob Blake unforced errors.
The last three seasons have resulted in 44,47, and 44 wins with quick playoff exits. This after seasons of 31,29, and 21 wins and not sniffing the playoffs. The Kings have been treading water and the fanbase is certainly disappointed in the short playoff runs but these are hardly the results that say that Rob Blake is destroying the club. That is a bit drama queenish.
While I don’t agree with all the drama comments above, Kings desperately need a new system installed.
If Hiller sticks with the 1-3-1 and general way they play, this is going to be another 1st round exit. I believe the core of players is there to compete!
What this means:
Kings are mediocre.
Kings will remain mediocre.
Barf….
Should have brought back Sutter & Lombardi!