In a surprising move, Los Angeles Kings' head coach Todd McLellan has been relieved of his duties after four and a half seasons with the team. General manager Rob Blake made the announcement on Friday, expressing his gratitude for McLellan's hard work and dedication to the organization.
Although not an easy decision, Blake believed that a change was necessary at this time. With McLellan out, assistant coach Jim Hiller has been named interim head coach for the rest of the season. Hiller, a former Kings player drafted in 1989, joined McLellan's coaching staff in the summer of 2022. He brings experience as a head coach at the major junior level and as an assistant coach with the Detroit Red Wings, Toronto Maple Leafs, and New York Islanders.
