NHL Head Coach Shockingly Gets Fired in Major Move

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Sam Walker
February 2, 2024 (12:04)

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In surprising news today, the Los Angeles Kings have made a big move during the All-Star Weekend break, firing head coach Todd McLellan. He is being replaced by Jim Hiller on an interim basis for the rest of the season.

General manager Rob Blake thanked McLellan for his hard work and dedication, acknowledging his positive impact on the team and the community. The decision to make a coaching change was not easy, but the Kings felt it was necessary at this time. Jim Hiller, a well-respected member of the staff familiar with the players, has been given the job to lead the team during this crucial period.

The decision comes as no surprise to many fans, given the Kings' recent struggles, going 3-7-5 in January and dropping to the first wild-card spot in the Western Conference. This downturn followed a strong start to the season, where the Kings set an NHL record with 11 consecutive road games.

«We want to thank Todd for his hard work and dedication to the organization,» said general manager Rob Blake. «He has done a tremendous job in moving us forward and making a positive impact on our group and in our community. This was not an easy decision, but we felt the change was necessary at this time. Jim is a well-respected member of our staff who is familiar with our players. We are confident in his ability to lead our team effectively during this pivotal time.»

The #LAKings have fired head coach Todd McLellan and replaced him with Jim Hiller on an interim basis.� Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) February 2, 2024

Todd McLellan's time with the Kings ends after five seasons. While he led the team to the playoffs in the previous two seasons, they faced first-round exits both times, losing to the Edmonton Oilers