The Los Angeles Kings, under Rob Blake, have moved away from the rebuild stage and have completed two trips to the Stanley Cup playoffs in back-to-back years. Being bounced out of the first round twice by the same team stings, there's no other way of putting it.
What stings more is the mire they are in after a torrid start to the season, followed by a disaster in the last 16 games. The background of the current situation is highlighted by a highly ambitious move to acquire Pierre Luc Dubois and go all-in on pursuing a Stanley Cup.
Rob Blake mentioned that it is not just Dubois but most of the team that has yet to play well. He stands by his decision to acquire him.
The 2023-24 season has been a season of two tales, with an excellent start influenced by historically good road dominance and then a woeful 16 games. Those 16 games became the determining factor in parting ways with their coach.
Todd McLellan was relieved of his duties, and will still be paid by the Kings until the conclusion of next season. Instead of bringing someone from the outside in, the Kings have decided to stay the course internally by selecting Assistant Coach Jim Hiller to step up to the plate as the Interim Coach.
Essentially, the system stays intact for both the Kings and the Reign by internalizing the move.
Coaching changes are rarely predicated purely on the performance of the coach but rather on the team's performance. Todd Mclellan did not lose the room, but the room needed a wake-up call. It cost a respected, long-tenured NHL coach his job.
Given the timing of the move during the break, the players will have considerable time to marinate over it.
As Rob Blake addressed the media today, the coaching change was polarizing. Rob Blake said Jim Hiller would have a different approach than McLellan, 'in all aspects.' Hiller is an excellent power-play guru and has been around the league for ten years before starting his first NHL head coach role this season.
He's had ample opportunity to see the team's failures from a front-line position. So, there is the sense that the King's brought in a fresh voice but weathered eyes that have seen the team up close for its flaws.
Blake confirmed that Hiller does not represent a 'McLellan disciple' such as Trent Yawney. He represents a new perspective.
Blake stands by Hiller as the coach for the remainder of the season.
Looking back, the Kings squandered their early season success and are now at a pivotal point of the year. Hiller is coming in at a time when calamity looms around the corner.
The cap is breathing down their neck, the organization has yet to see dividends from the PLD acquisition, and their bottom six scoring has withered. I'd expect some lineup changes for Hiller, but overall, he won't be altering the 1-3-1 significantly since that would also have to be implemented in Ontario.
Blake also commented on bringing in a new Assistant Coach from the outside. At this point, it is pure speculation to see who they would bring in, but it is a fair bet it won't be Marco Sturm, the head coach in Ontario.
Doom lingers, but their Fates are their own
McLellan being replaced by Hiller represents a point of no return for the organization. The sacking of McLellan was a last-ditch option for this franchise. They are cap strapped.
As stated by Blake, their first 24 games they were 1st in the league in goals scored, the next 24, they are 32nd. Changes needed to happen.
If Hiller can come, make some lineup changes, and tinker with the system without a complete overhaul, it represents their last option to avoid calamity.
As mentioned, the players have been marinating on this for the duration of the All-Star Break. The players are certainly going to respond to this.
When Rob Blake asked about his job moving forward, if not winning, he said, "I fully understand the repercussions."
The oven is preheated to 425 degrees. There are 34 games remaining in the season. While it is raining outside, it is undoubtedly a hot time in LA for Rob Blake.