Kings Fire Jim Hiller: Timing and Reasons Explained

The Los Angeles Kings have made a significant change in their coaching staff. On Sunday, the franchise announced the firing of head coach Jim Hiller. D.J. Smith has been appointed as the interim head coach for the remainder of the 2025-26 NHL season.

Reasons Behind Jim Hiller’s Dismissal

Hiller’s dismissal comes at a time when the Kings are still competing for a Wild Card spot in the Western Conference. However, the team’s recent performance raises concerns. They have not shown the same strength that previously placed them among the top three teams in the Pacific Division.

Recent Game Performance

The Kings faced critical losses, which contributed to the decision to part ways with Hiller. Notably, they struggled in games against:

• Calgary, where they secured a narrow 1-0 victory.
• Seattle, leading into the All-Star break.
• Edmonton, where they experienced a severe defeat.
• Vegas, even with key players missing from the lineup.

Over the course of three games, the Kings allowed a total of 18 goals—their worst defensive stretch since 1993. This poor performance raised questions about the team’s commitment and effectiveness under Hiller.

Perspectives from Experts

Dennis Bernstein from The Fourth Period discussed the timing of the decision on Daily Faceoff LIVE. He noted that, while the Kings were still in contention for the playoffs, their performance was unacceptable. Bernstein indicated that players likely felt a sense of detachment, as evidenced by an inquiry posed to team captain Anze Kopitar about the team quitting on the coach.

He emphasized that the team’s standings in the division may have temporarily shielded Hiller from dismissal. “If they were in the Atlantic Division, they’d be among the bottom teams, and a change might have happened much earlier,” Bernstein stated.

The Future for the Kings

Currently, the Kings remain three points shy of a Wild Card position. However, with a winning percentage slightly above .500, they will need to improve significantly to stay competitive. As they move forward under interim coach D.J. Smith, the Kings’ performance in the coming games will be crucial in determining the direction of the team as they aim for a playoff spot.