The Los Angeles Kings elected not to make a change at head coach this offseason and Jim Hiller is expected to be back with Ken Holland as his new general manager. However, that doesn't mean there won't be changes on the coaching staff for the franchise, and it seems it won't be the Kings' decision.
According to reports, the Kings have two coaches who are finalists for both the Boston Bruins head coaching position and to be the Pittsburgh Penguins' next head coach. On Tuesday, it was reported that Marco Sturm would be the next head coach of the Bruins but that was disputed on Wednesday by Elliotte Friedman on the 32 Thoughts Podcast.
Sturm is still in the running but it sounds like the Bruins haven't made a decision yet. If he were to go to Boston, it would be a big loss for the Kings as he has done a great job as the head coach of the Ontario Reign. He has helped develop a lot of the young players on the Kings and would be a great addition for a franchise that is in transition.
LA Kings assistant head coach D.J. Smith a finalist for the Pittsburgh Penguins
The other coach that could be on the move is D.J. Smith, who joined Hiller's coaching staff in February 2024, when he was named interim head coach. He certainly has head coaching experience as he was the Ottawa Senators head coach for over four seasons before being fired midway through his fifth season.
The Penguins are a veteran team that probably would like to try and make one more run at a Stanley Cup for players like Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin. It makes sense for them to pursue a coach with head coaching experience like Smith.
What is interesting about both coaching searches is that Smith and Sturm seem to be competing with the same coach for the respective openings. Mitch Love, who has been an assistant head coach for the Washington Capitals, is a finalist with both the Penguins and Bruins.
He is the one who could have the biggest impact on the Kings and which coach they might have to replace this offseason.