D.J. Smith Takes Over as Interim Head Coach of the Los Angeles Kings

In a surprising twist, D.J. Smith is stepping back into the NHL head coaching spotlight, this time with the Los Angeles Kings. Following the firing of Jim Hiller on Sunday, the Kings have appointed Smith as their interim head coach, marking a new chapter in his coaching career.

Smith, who previously led the Ottawa Senators, becomes the second coach to be dismissed this season, following Columbus’s decision to part ways with Dean Evason earlier this year. The circumstances surrounding these coaching changes are notably similar; both Smith and Evason took over teams that were struggling and in need of significant rebuilding.

When Smith was hired by the Senators in 2019, the franchise was in disarray, having traded away its top talent. Similarly, Rick Bowness took over an expansion Senators team in 1992 that was expected to struggle. During his four seasons in Ottawa, Smith compiled a record of 131-154-32, translating to a points percentage of .464.

Before his time in Ottawa, Smith worked alongside Hiller as assistants under Mike Babcock in Toronto. Following his dismissal from the Senators in December 2023, Smith joined the Kings as Hiller’s assistant, only to now inherit the head coaching role.

The Kings have faced recent challenges, dropping five of their last six games, including a disheartening 8-1 loss to the Edmonton Oilers. This defeat was particularly poignant for Kings GM Ken Holland, who previously managed the Oilers from 2019 to 2024. Reflecting on the team’s struggles, Holland noted, “Couple of tough games going into the Olympic break… I was hoping that the time off and then the mini training camp would help our team respond.” He emphasized that he wanted to take time to consider the coaching change, indicating the weight of the decision.

Now, Smith takes the helm of a more experienced roster in Los Angeles, one that is structured for immediate success. At 48 years old, Smith is determined to turn around his fortunes and make a mark in this second opportunity as an NHL head coach.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.