Breaking news: Los Angeles Kings has finally sack head coach Jim Hiller

The Los Angeles Kings have officially made a change behind the bench. On Sunday, NHL insider Elliotte Friedman reported that the club has dismissed head coach Jim Hiller.

Hiller spent five seasons with the Kings, initially joining as an assistant before stepping into the head coaching role during the 2023-24 NHL regular season. Although he guided the team to the playoffs in each of his seasons in charge, Los Angeles failed to advance beyond the first round. This year, the Kings are on the outside of the playoff picture, sitting on 62 points through 59 games — three behind the Seattle Kraken for the final Western Conference Wild Card spot.

With the regular season entering its decisive stretch, general manager Ken Holland evidently decided a change was needed to spark a late push. Holland did not originally appoint Hiller, and he will now have the opportunity to select his own head coach moving forward.

Friedman also reported that DJ Smith will assume head coaching duties following Hiller’s departure. Smith had been serving as an associate coach under Hiller this season.