Interim head coach DJ Smith has helped the Los Angeles Kings and the coaching staff make a run in the West in the Pacific Division in this past couple of months this past regular season to the postseason in the playoffs vs. the Colorado Avalanche late this month in April.
This postseason in the playoffs in the West, it looks like multiple teams that are having trouble meeting expectations this spring late this month in this past few weeks on the ice and on the scoreboard could spark change pressure on the bench for front offices in the league this upcoming offseason in the summer.
In a segment with the Leafs Morning Take show on April 22 this past week, David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period reported that the Kings will "likely" have a new head coaching candidate in the West in the Pacific Division for this next upcoming season for the 2026-27 campaign for the team.
Smith has helped the Kings reach the postseason in the playoffs this spring late this month in late April.
Pagnotta suggested Los Angeles could look for a younger, long-term option this offseason as the franchise evaluates its direction moving forward.
That decision could come after the Kings finish their current playoff run, but coaching change speculation is already beginning around the league.
Pagnotta also mentioned Manny Malhotra as a possible candidate tied to Ken Holland and the Kings’ front office.
The Kings could still consider hiring Smith this upcoming offseason in the summer. LA has hired internally in this past couple of years in the West for the coaching staff in the 2024 playoffs in the Pacific Division. We'll see if Smith can pull off the miraculous challenge on the ice in the postseason in the playoffs this spring late this month in late April in the West to lead the Kings past Colorado.
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