The Los Angeles Kings have made a coaching change with 23 games left in the 2025-26 National Hockey League regular season. The new Kings interim bench boss is D.J. Smith of Windsor, Ontario according to the Associated Press. Smith replaces Jim Hiller of Port Alberni, British Columbia, who was relieved of his duties on Sunday.
This is Smith’s second coaching job in the National Hockey League. He previously coached the Ottawa Senators for five seasons from 2019 to 2024. In 317 games, Smith had a record of 131 wins, 154 regulation losses, and 32 losses in extra time for a winning percentage of .464. However, during that time the Senators did not make the postseason.
Smith played three NHL seasons as a defenseman. He was with the Toronto Maple Leafs in 1996-97 and 1999-2000, and with the Colorado Avalanche in 2002-03. In 45 games, Smith had one goal and one assist for two points. He was a -4 with 67 penalty minutes and 13 shots on goal.
Smith’s assist came in a 2-1 Toronto Maple Leafs win over the San Jose Sharks on March 26, 1997. Smith set up Brandon Convery of Kingston, Ontario at 16:17 of the first period to open the scoring. Jason Podollan of Vernon, British Columbia had the other assist on an all-Canadian goal.
The only NHL goal for Smith came on January 23, 2003. Smith completed the scoring in a 5-0 Colorado Avalanche win over the Columbus Blue Jackets. Smith scored from Jeff Shantz of Duchess, Alberta and Martin Skoula at 11:36 of the third period.
Currently, the Kings are at 24 wins, 21 regulation losses and 14 losses in extra time for 62 points. They are three points back of the Seattle Kraken for a playoff spot on the Western Conference.
