The Los Angeles Kings made a significant coaching change on Friday, firing Todd McLellan and appointing Jim Hiller as the interim coach for the remainder of the season. The decision came as a surprise to many, as McLellan had been instrumental in the team's progress and had made a positive impact on both the players and the community.
Vice president and general manager Rob Blake expressed his gratitude towards McLellan for his hard work and dedication to the organization. Blake acknowledged that the decision to let go of McLellan was not an easy one, but felt that a change was necessary at this time. He also expressed confidence in Hiller's ability to effectively lead the team during this crucial period.
The Kings had a promising start to the season, going into the All-Star break with the first wild-card spot in the Western Conference. However, their recent performance has been disappointing, with the team winning only three out of their last 17 games. The lack of offense has been a major issue, as they are averaging just 2.35 goals per game in their last 17 outings, which ranks among the league's worst.
Hiller's primary challenge will be to turn around the team's offensive struggles and create a more productive scoring environment. Additionally, he will need to address the underwhelming performances of the team's top offseason acquisitions. Pierre Luc-Dubois, acquired from Winnipeg, has been inconsistent and has struggled to find his rhythm, contributing only 10 goals and 20 points in 47 games. Goaltender Cam Talbot, the team's free-agent signing, has also faltered, with a 0-7-3 record and a 3.86 goals-against average in his last 10 starts.
The Kings' lack of success in recent years is a cause for concern. Despite winning their second Stanley Cup in 2014, they have not won a playoff series since then. Aging core players such as captain Anze Kopitar and defenseman Drew Doughty have long-term contracts, but there is uncertainty about their ability to lead the team to playoff success.
One of the peculiar aspects of the Kings' performance this season is their contrasting performances at home and on the road. While they initially set an NHL-record by winning 11 consecutive away games, they have struggled at home, earning only 22 points in 23 games, which is among the league's worst home records.
McLellan, who was in his fifth season with the Kings, had achieved some notable milestones during his tenure. He led the team to the Stanley Cup playoffs in the past two seasons, and in October, he became the eighth coach in franchise history to reach 100 wins. With a career record of 598-412-134, McLellan's 598 regular-season wins rank 23rd in NHL history. Prior to coaching the Kings, he had successful stints with Edmonton and San Jose.
Hiller, a former 10th-round pick by the Kings in the 1989 draft, has been an assistant with the team for the past two seasons. Before joining the Kings, he gained coaching experience with the New York Islanders, Toronto, and Detroit. Hiller's extensive background in both the NHL and various hockey leagues will be valuable as he steps into the interim coaching role.
McLellan's firing adds to the growing list of coaching changes in the NHL this season. Six coaches have been let go so far, including Jay Woodcroft (Edmonton), Dean Evason (Minnesota), Craig Berube (St. Louis), D.J. Smith (Ottawa), and Lane Lambert (New York Islanders). Additionally, Mike Babcock resigned from Columbus before training camp after an investigation into his coaching methods.
The Kings will have some time to regroup before their next game on February 10th against the Edmonton Oilers. It will be the start of a five-game road trip in the Eastern Conference, providing an opportunity for the team to reassess and improve their performance.
The decision to replace McLellan with Hiller as the interim coach undoubtedly marks a crucial period for the Los Angeles Kings. With the team's playoff hopes hanging in the balance, it remains to be seen whether Hiller can inject new life into the struggling team and guide them towards a successful end to the season.
