Kings Are Running Out of Time With McLellan Behind the Bench

The Los Angeles Kings have stood behind head coach Todd McLellan and that's admirable. But it's almost certainly time for a change now.

My opinions on McLellan haven't changed. I don't think he's a terrible coach and this team's struggles don't fall solely on him, but that doesn't matter at this point.

What matters is two wins in 15 games, 10 goals given up in two games and blown leads against two teams near the bottom of the standings.

If the Kings are truly looking to be a competitor this year, then they need to make a change before it's too late.

Rob Blake was adamant that the organization wasn't thinking about moving on from McLellan, but they can't continue to sink without trying something drastic.

On Blake, one of the reasons I have sympathy for McLellan in this situation, is because more of this team's problems fall on Blake than McLellan in my eyes.

This roster wasn't built well and the team was put into cap hell by Blake, not McLellan.

That isn't to absolve McLellan of all criticism though, he takes a share of the blame too.

As always, he's overly reliant on veteran players and hasn't utilized young players very well.

Drew Doughty shouldn't be one of the league leaders in average time on ice anymore, Trevor Lewis has posted poor analytics all season and has played in every game as examples.

The decision to play a fourth line consisting of Samuel Fagemo, Lewis and Arthur Kaliyev is baffling.

Neither Fagemo nor Kaliyev fit fourth line roles and neither should be on a line together.

Obviously, that decision alone isn't why the Kings should move on from McLellan, but it is indicative of a coach who is running out of ideas.

I wouldn't be surprised to see Blake stick with McLellan at least until the All Star break and make a decision then, but he can't wait much longer.

I get sticking to the plan and showing loyalty, but that can't last forever.

If Blake is willing to ride or die with McLellan behind the bench, he needs to be prepared for the latter. 

This team looks lost right now and while a coaching change won't fix all of their problems, it might give them a small boost.

The Kings can't let this slide continue much longer, or they risk their playoff chances, and missing the playoffs this year would be a complete disaster.