In surprising news today, the Los Angeles Kings have made a big move during the All-Star Weekend break, firing head coach Todd McLellan. He is being replaced by Jim Hiller on an interim basis for the rest of the season.
General manager Rob Blake thanked McLellan for his hard work and dedication, acknowledging his positive impact on the team and the community. The decision to make a coaching change was not easy, but the Kings felt it was necessary at this time. Jim Hiller, a well-respected member of the staff familiar with the players, has been given the job to lead the team during this crucial period.
The decision comes as no surprise to many fans, given the Kings' recent struggles, going 3-7-5 in January and dropping to the first wild-card spot in the Western Conference. This downturn followed a strong start to the season, where the Kings set an NHL record with 11 consecutive road games.
Todd McLellan's time with the Kings ends after five seasons. While he led the team to the playoffs in the previous two seasons, they faced first-round exits both times, losing to the Edmonton Oilers
