Jim Hiller to remain Kings coach in 2025-26

If there was any doubt about who was going to be behind the bench in Hollywood next season, new upper management put any rumors to bed.

During a press conference on Thursday, new Los Angeles Kings general manager Ken Holland revealed that Jim Hiller will remain as the team’s head coach for the 2025-26 season.

Holland stated that he met with Hiller for multiple hours on Wednesday, ensuring that he was the right guy for the team in Holland’s first year at the helm.

“I look forward to working with Jim Hiller going into next year,” Holland said.

Hiller has been the bench boss for the Kings since taking over in the middle of the 2023-24 campaign after the team fired current Detroit Red Wings head coach Todd McLellan in February of that season. Hiller was able to keep the team on track, sneaking into the Stanley Cup Playoffs, ultimately losing in the first round to the eventual Western Conference champions, the Edmonton Oilers.

Despite the early exit, Hiller was given the keys to the kingdom. The interim head coach tag was taken off and he was rewarded with a three-year contract extension.

This season, the Kings were even better. With the continued rise of Quinton Byfield and the excellent play of Vezina Trophy finalist Darcy Kuemper, Los Angeles secured second place in the Pacific Division.

However, it all came crashing down in the division semifinals. Despite going up 2-0 in the series, poor execution and some questionable decisions by Hiller led the Kings dropping four straight games to the Oilers, and were eliminated in the opening round for the fourth year in a row.

Some wondered if Hiller might be on the move with a new GM in town, as the Kings mutually parted ways with Rob Blake shortly after their season was over. However, Holland seems to believe in the Port Alberni, British Columbia native.