In this past 24 hours, we've seen Los Angeles Kings fans get want many of them have been wanting to see in the headlines and storylines for the franchise over this past few months in the West in the Pacific Division this regular season. The Kings' players and new coaching staff answered questions in a press conference with the media yesterday after new interim head coach DJ Smith took over the duties as the bench boss for his first practice with the team and coaching staff this past weekend.
Anze Kopitar and Adrian Kempe for the Los Angeles Kings share their initial and immediate reactions from the departure of head coach Jim Hiller
"We all know that this job is about wins and losses, and it just wasn't obviously going the right way."Anze Kopitar on Jim Hiller
Center captain Anze Kopitar and winger Adrian Kempe also gave their honest takes and reactions to the tough news that head coach Jim Hiller was relieved of his duties yesterday with the Kings' franchise.
"All respect to Jimmy and everything he's done for us. He's a great coach and a great person, and he treated everybody with a lot of respect and was fair to everybody."Adrian Kempe on Hiller
Kopitar and Kempe spoke to the media yesterday after the news that the Kings had officially parted ways with Hiller after one full season behind the bench with the franchise in the West this past regular season in 2024-25 to get their reactions and thoughts.
Here's a look at the immediate reactions and what Kopitar and Kempe had to say amongst Kings players in the active roster lineup after the change on the bench for the team to fire Hiller on the coaching staff this past weekend on Sunday (March 1).
Anze Kopitar
On what DJ Smith brings to the team and the Kings' coaching staff
"He's very upbeat, as you guys know. Has experience being a head coach, so that's certainly a positive. And try to bring some energy to the group, really. We're going to work hard, and we're going to play hard and bring the energy."
Kopitar says that yesterday morning was the first time he got any insight and/or glimpse into the storyline regarding Hiller's job status as the head coach of the Kings.
On how the team felt after the loss to Edmonton this past week and after the three-week break for the Olympics with Hiller and staff
"We all know that this job is about wins and losses, and it just wasn't going the right way, and I guess as an organization needed or felt we needed a change, and unfortunately, Jimmy took the worst of it. So, again, it's very unfortunate. Jimmy did a good job here in his time, brought us to the playoffs a couple of times. And again, very unfortunate. But it's about wins and losses."
On the Kings making a playoff push this regular season in the West in the Pacific Division
"We just got to flat-out perform better. It's what it is. It wasn't good enough. It wasn't consistent enough. We're looking for a jolt here and a spark that we got our game together and perform on a nightly basis and, again, win games and then get us into the playoffs.
We all realize in here that we haven't performed and Jimmy fell on the sword for that. That's on us, too. We realize that and now we got to go out and perform better. That's the bottom line."
On what Matt Greene can bring to the Kings' coaching staff
"Lots of intensity, first and foremost. Obviously, as a player, he was a big part of the winning teams and he brings the experience. I think his presence around here will help the younger guys, too. Looking forward to having him around more and see where that takes us."
Yes, of course. And uh you know we all realize in here that we haven't performed and uh you know again Jimmy uh Jimmy fell on the sword for that. So that's uh you know it's it's it's on us too. Obviously we realize that and but now we got to go out and and perform better. That's the bottom line. >> Matt Green, longtime teammate of yours. You know you know his character. What does he bring to the room especially as he starts to work with the defenseman and the penalty come? Well
Adrian Kempe
On if there was any feeling in the locker room for Hiller after the loss to Edmonton this past week in the West
"No, not really. I mean, just disappointed with the game and the way we played. Didn't really think more about it like that. Disappointing game in general. Didn't really think about anything like this, but obviously heard the news this morning.
It sucks when a guy loses his job and all respect for Jimmy, everything he's done for us, and he's a great coach and a great person, and treated everybody with a lot of respect and was fair to everybody. Want to wish him luck in the future. It's a tough day to see anyone lose their job."
On his experience playing with DJ Smith with the Kings' coaching staff this past couple of years with the team
"He's been in charge of the D, so I haven't really. You talk to him and you see what he's doing back there and he's got a lot of experience. He's been a head coach before. He brings a lot of energy. Got to get the energy back up. Main focus is to outwork the other teams and then offense will come from there and that's what we touched base on this morning.
I think we had a really good practice. I think the energy was up, and that's what we got to bring to the games as well. I feel like the group is really tight, it always has been. When we come into rypto, I feel like the energy has to go up a little bit more. Got to come in with the confidence that we're going to win games.
On what Matt Greene brings to the coaching staff for the Kings this regular season in the West
"He was a great teammate, big leader, especially. I only played with him for a certain amount of games, but you know, you could tell his aura and presence in the locker room when I got here. Hopefully, he can bring some of that, too. know, he has experience, so obviously played not too long ago, so he knows what it's like. And hopefully he can yeah, spark some jolt in the in the in the in the team as well. He was a great player. He has experience from the playoffs. He's won cups. Very happy to have him as well."