Hockey

Kings Make Coaching Change; Woodcroft Emerges as Potential Successor

by
William Caldwell
March 5, 2026

The Los Angeles Kings made a significant shift in their coaching staff on Sunday, parting ways with Jim Hiller and elevating D.J. Smith to the role of interim head coach. While Smith, previously the associate coach, steps into this pivotal position, it remains to be seen if he will secure the role on a permanent basis, as General Manager Ken Holland has not yet made a long-term decision.

In the latest episode of the 32 Thoughts podcast, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman noted that Smith holds a favorable position in the race for the Kings’ head coaching job. Describing him as being in the “pole position,” Friedman also mentioned that former Edmonton Oilers coach Jay Woodcroft could be a contender for the role if Smith fails to establish himself.

Currently serving as an assistant coach for the Anaheim Ducks, Woodcroft has been instrumental in shaping the team’s offensive strategies and power play under head coach Joel Quenneville. His influence has contributed to the Ducks emerging as one of the fastest and most dynamic teams in the league, showcasing a promising group of young forwards.

Notably, Anaheim’s young talents, including Cutter Gauthier, Beckett Sennecke, and Leo Carlsson, have thrived under Woodcroft’s guidance. All three players, aged 22 or younger, are leading the Ducks in scoring, with Sennecke notably topping the NHL rookie leaderboard with 51 points in 61 games.

Before his tenure with the Ducks, Woodcroft spent parts of three seasons as the head coach of the Oilers, where he amassed a record of 50-23-9 in the 2022-23 season. This performance led the Oilers to 109 points, marking the franchise’s highest total in a regular season since 1985-86. Under Woodcroft’s leadership, the Oilers also made playoff runs in 2022 and 2023, reaching the Western Conference Final for the first time since 2006 after defeating the Kings in the first round of the playoffs twice in recent years.

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

William Caldwell

William Caldwell is a veteran journalist whose career has spanned the highs and lows of the sports world. With a focus on baseball and hockey, William’s articles are known for their depth and historical perspective, making him a favorite among fans who appreciate the rich traditions of sports. Outside the press box, William is an amateur historian with a particular interest in sports memorabilia.