Is Jim Hiller on the LA Kings Hot Seat After Disappointing Start?
A lot of questions surrounded the Los Angeles Kings entering the 2025-26 season.
Could Quinton Byfield take another step? How was the defense going to play after the additions?
How long of a leash does head coach Jim Hiller have? While we may have to wait for the answer to Byfield, the defense question has been answered.
But what about Hiller?
With a bad start, is he now officially on the hot seat?
Hiller was named interim head coach after the Kings fired head coach Todd McLellan on February 2, 2024. Following the season, Hiller was named the head coach on May 22, 2024. A permanent coach with a new direction would lead this team to great things. Or so we thought.
Last season was full of ups and downs. The regular season was one of the best in Kings history as they set a new points record for most points in a season. Los Angeles was set to show the world what they were capable of, but ended up playing the rival Edmonton Oilers in the first round and, once again, were sent packing.
Since then, the team, organization, and Hiller have not been the same. A new GM, Ken Holland, was named, and that brought expectations, only to be disappointed by most of the free-agent signings. Hiller has done a bad job in getting this team focused for the season, and they have been disappointing to say the least, outside of last night’s 2-1 win against the St. Louis Blues. Los Angeles is currently 2-3-2 for six points and sits in sixth place in the Pacific Division.
After last season, Kings fans thought there might be a new head coach, given the way Hiller coached the team in the playoffs. Poor roster management and questionable challenges in the playoffs left his team mentally drained. They could not fight back after holding a 2-0 series lead. Many thought Hiller told the Kings to play defense only after the Kings grabbed the lead against the Oilers, but we know how that played out.
Fast forward to this season, where Los Angeles looked lost and unmotivated before last night’s game. Once they get behind, they do not look determined to grab that lead, playing with lost energy and focus. Hiller does not have answers for his team’s lack of poise and uninspired play. He may be losing this team in more ways than one, and no one can fix this but him, and he does not seem interested in doing so.
Fans did not seem happy when he got the job. Fans were disappointed when he returned. Fans are now looking at replacements for his job. Holland has to be looking at other possibilities because Hiller is not the answer. Regular-season wins are one thing, but we all know playoff success is the only thing that matters. In the regular season under Hiller, the Kings are 670-37-10, which is a good record. However, the playoffs are when this takes a dark turn. The Kings are 3-8 for a winning percentage of .273 under Hiller, including a 2-4 record last season when they had a 2-0 lead.
Hiller is not the answer for this team, even after last night’s win. This may be the last time that both Drew Doughty and Anze Kopitar fight together for one last run. Kopitar announced he was retiring after this season, and Doughty might not be far behind. Right now, this team lacks direction and focus.
LA needs a coach who can change the style of play, make the right roster moves, and hold players and themselves accountable; Hiller is afraid to do so.
He plays it safe, and in the end, it may cost him his job.
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