The Los Angeles Kings enter the offseason facing one of the most important coaching hires the organization has made in years. DJ Smith is still expected to receive consideration, although the organization has not committed to removing his interim tag.
The Kings are planning to interview at least 5-8 candidates on their shortlist to be the next head coach for the upcoming 2026-27 season.
While experienced names and safer options will likely dominate much of the conversation, there are also several candidates who would represent far riskier hires for Los Angeles.
Of the candidates the Kings could consider on their shortlist to be the next head coaching hire this offseason, some could be risky because of how they've performed in the postseason, in the regular season in this past few years, or because of the culture fit in the locker room. A younger head coaching hire could help the Kings move beyond the first round of the postseason in the long-term future.
Here are three of the riskiest head coaching candidate hires possibly for the Kings this upcoming offseason in 2026.
Craig Berube (former Toronto Maple Leafs head coach)
Craig Berube would likely become one of the more polarizing coaching options available to the Kings this offseason. He would represent one of the more experienced and demanding coaching options available to the Kings this offseason.
The fact that Berube has become available on the coaching carousel this offseason in the spring means that it could immediately impact the Kings' coaching search.
Berube brings significant experience and a Stanley Cup pedigree, but recent playoff disappointments and questions surrounding offensive consistency could make him a risky fit for a Kings team already under pressure to take another step offensively.
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