Jim Hiller is set to become the head coach of the Los Angeles Kings on a full-time basis.
According to ESPN’s Kevin Weekes, the Kings are set to remove the ‘interim’ tag from his position and signed him to a three-year extension.
**Breaking News ** 🚨 📰
I’m told the @LAKings have removed the interim tag , and signed Jim Hiller to a multi year Yr Contract Extension as HC . #GoKingsGo #HockeyX #HockeyTwitter @sportsemmys pic.twitter.com/Lche29sqLr— Kevin Weekes (@KevinWeekes) May 22, 2024
Hiller took over the bench in Los Angeles after the club dismissed Todd McLellan from his position. Hiller, a one-time assistant coach with the Toronto Maple Leafs, helped the Kings battle for a playoff spot with a 21-12-1 record down the stretch.
Days after the Kings fired McLellan, the Kings hired DJ Smith as an assistant coach to work alongside Hiller. Smith, who had been dismissed as head coach of the Ottawa Senators, worked alongside Hiller under Mike Babcock in Toronto.
How does this affect the Maple Leafs today?
The Toronto Maple Leafs hired Craig Berube on Friday to become their 32nd head coach. During Toronto’s media availability on Tuesday, the Leafs did not provide any clarity when it came to the club’s assistant coaches. Berube is going to be involved in the process to see who he wants to bring and who goes.
There was a report that DJ Smith was likely going to stay in LA if Hiller got extended. That likely scratches Smith’s name off the list in Toronto, however that’s unconfirmed at the moment.
Toronto is also believed to be interested in Marc Savard, who is currently an assistant coach with term remaining in Calgary. Given Leafs GM Brad Treliving’s recent history dealing with his former club, it’s likely going to be difficult to extract Savard from there easily.
