Hiller, a former Kings player, has extensive coaching experience, including winning Coach of the Year in the Western Hockey League. He takes over a talented team that needs to overcome its playoff hurdle.
General Manager Blake is confident the team has improved and will return next season. Can Hiller lead the Kings to their first playoff series win since 2014? Only time will tell.
Solid regular season, playoff struggles
Hiller inherits a team with a strong core. The Kings finished third in the Pacific Division and made the playoffs for the fourth time in Blake’s seven seasons as GM. However, they haven’t been able to get past the first round since their 2014 Stanley Cup victory.
The pressure will be on for Hiller to improve the team’s performance in the playoffs. While the Kings have shown promise during the regular season, they need to find a way to win when the games truly matter. Hiller’s experience and leadership will be crucial as they look to take that next step.
There are also still questions about the future of some assistant coaches and the overall makeup of Hiller’s staff. These decisions will be important in shaping the team’s identity and approach next season.
