Interim coach D.J. Smith will be candidate for LA Kings' full-time job in GM Ken Holland's search
D.J. Smith, who served as interim head coach after Jim Hiller was fired in March 2026, will be considered for the full-time coaching position with the Los Angeles Kings. Under Smith, the Kings improved to secure a playoff berth but were swept by the Colorado Avalanche in the first round. General manager Ken Holland is leading a coaching search aimed at ending the team's postseason struggles and improving their offensive performance.
- ▪D.J. Smith took over as interim head coach in March 2026 after Jim Hiller was fired.
- ▪The Kings finished the regular season with an 11-6-6 record under Smith to claim the final Western Conference wild-card spot.
- ▪The team was swept by the Colorado Avalanche in the first round, marking their fifth consecutive first-round exit.
- ▪General manager Ken Holland stated the team scored only 225 goals, the fourth-fewest in the NHL.
- ▪Holland plans to interview five to eight candidates for the head coaching position, including Smith.
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