"Following a brutal 8-1 loss to the Edmonton Oilers and a skid where the team dropped five of their last six games, general manager Ken Holland fired Hiller on Sunday, March 1. Associate head coach D.J. Smith has been promoted to interim head coach for the remainder of the season, marking a desperate push to right the ship and get the team back into a wild-card spot."
"The roster has been hit hard by the injury bug right out of the Olympic break. Star forward Kevin Fiala is out for the season with a broken left leg sustained while playing for Switzerland at the Olympics. Furthermore, Andrei Kuzmenko is week-to-week (and potentially out for the remainder of the regular season) following meniscus surgery."
"With the NHL trade deadline fast approaching and the team needing to patch the offensive holes left by Fiala and Kuzmenko, rumors are swirling. Even after successfully acquiring Artemi Panarin prior to the Olympic break, the Kings are reportedly kicking the tires on Montreal Canadiens winger Patrik Laine to inject some much-needed scoring depth."
The Los Angeles Kings are experiencing significant turmoil during the 2025-26 season. Head coach Jim Hiller was dismissed on March 1 following an 8-1 loss to Edmonton and poor recent performance, with associate head coach D.J. Smith taking over as interim coach. The team faces severe roster challenges, including star forward Kevin Fiala sidelined for the season with a broken leg from Olympic competition and Andrei Kuzmenko potentially out for the remainder of the regular season following meniscus surgery. Additional players including Drew Doughty, Joel Armia, and Trevor Moore are dealing with injuries or illness. Management is actively exploring trades, including interest in Montreal's Patrik Laine, to address offensive gaps. The urgency intensifies with Captain Anze Kopitar's planned retirement at season's end, motivating the organization to maximize his final year.
Read at The Hockey Writers
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