It’s time for another round of NHL rumours. We’re almost into the final four of Stanley Cup Playoffs. However, there’s enough hot stove chatter to go around. Teams that were eliminated from the postseason are trying to figure things out. General manager not only have to figure out rosters, but some teams are looking for a new head coach. Decisions like who gets to be behind the bench will shape the team’s roster.
One team that has to make a head coaching decision is the Los Angeles Kings. This edition of NHL rumours deals with where the team may go next in filling that position.
All NHL rumours come from the original source and are subject to change.
NHL Rumours
Latest on Los Angeles Kings Coaching Search
Rumours: We take a look at the latest happenings in the Kings finding a new head coach. Associated Press sportswriter Greg Beachem said that interim coach D.J. Smith is a candidate to be given the post on a full-time basis.
Analysis: When Kings general manager Ken Holland fired Jim Hiller, the team was on the outside of the playoff picture. Holland appointed the former Ottawa Senators head coach to try to get the club into the postseason. Smith guided Los Angeles to an 11-6-6 finish and snagged the last wild card spot in the West.
The Kings were swept by the Colorado Avalanche in the opening round and that leaves the team thinking about its next head coach. Holland did say that Smith did a great job taking over. The Kings GM added that the team responded Smith is a candidate for the position.
However, Holland added that he wants to keep the interviews to a small number. He added that he’d “like to talk to probably five to eight people and then make a decision. Some with experience, some maybe assistants, and some who haven’t been a head coach.”
Los Angeles has been a consistent postseason team for most of the last decade. However, the Kings have yet to reclaim their glory from the 2010s, which includes two Stanley Cups. This decision is going to hopefully keep the Kings on the path towards getting out of the first round.
Credit Image: © Eric Canha/Cal Sport Media)
What It Means
A couple of names were added the coaching rumour mill this week. The Toronto Maple Leafs parted ways with Craig Berube while the Edmonton Oilers let go of Kris Knoblauch earlier in the week. Holland does have familiarity with the latter name. Knoblauch was hired by Holland as Edmonton’s head coach, and he guided the team to back-to-back Western Conference titles.
One name that the Kings did want to speak to is Bruce Cassidy, who was fired near the end of the season by the Vegas Golden Knights. Cassidy did win a Stanley Cup with Vegas, but that wasn’t enough to save his job. A coach like Cassidy seems to be in demand due to his winning pedigree.
However, Elliotte Friedman said that the Knights have refused to give the Kings permission to speak with Cassidy. The insider added that the Oilers also made a similar request, but that was also denied according to reports. The Kings and the Oilers have linked to each other for most of the last decade, and both seem to be battling for the services of the former Jack Adams Award winner.
Despite Vegas putting up roadblocks, the Kings are still interested in interviewing Cassidy. Friedman does mention that Vegas will likely relent and let both the Oilers and Kings speak with Cassidy. However, it makes sense that the Golden Knights would want to keep Cassidy away from two of their Pacific Division rivals.
Main photo by: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
