D.J. Smith Hotseat Thread

[DryKing]

And who is, at this point, available? Genuinely asking...there may be some, but probably not a lot. And they'd have to want a real challenge...

Not a ton, especially if the Kings sit on their hands like they have done in the past.

Currently: Cassidy, Woodcroft, and Gallant come to mind. Additionally the Kings could take a chance on someone like David Carle / Jay Leach / Dan Muse if they don't see a better option out there with NHL experience.

David Quinn is another option, though he has had the most success at the NHL level as HC. Mike Yeo is also an option.

Reality is other options will emerge and the Kings need to be aggressive if they want to get a top talent NHL HC. Historically, however, they have not been.

 

[Bollocks]

Not a ton, especially if the Kings sit on their hands like they have done in the past.

Currently: Cassidy, Woodcroft, and Gallant come to mind. Additionally the Kings could take a chance on someone like David Carle / Jay Leach / Dan Muse if they don't see a better option out there with NHL experience.

David Quinn is another option, though he has had the most success at the NHL level as HC. Mike Yeo is also an option.

Reality is other options will emerge and the Kings need to be aggressive if they want to get a top talent NHL HC. Historically, however, they have not been.

Out of all the names you listed, the only ones I can see being "decorated and experienced NHL coach" are Cassidy and Gallant. Gallant's health is AFAIK a big question mark and Cassidy failed to bring out the best out of a very talented Vegas team anymore, so it's not like he's a good fit for a quite considerably less talented team.

Personally I'd be open to a coach like Tippett that is historically known to bring out the best out of an on-paper team, but I remember someone saying he's not planning to return to NHL coaching.

Anyways...there seems to be some good things clicking with DJ and replacing him with a coach that isn't a clear cut upgrade just for the sake of replacing him seems foolish. Sure, if he doesn't accept a 1 or max. 2-year deal Ken should look at alternatives. But hiring another coach just for the sake of that coach not being our own without being a clear cut alternative is foolish. Ken gives Cassidy a hefty 3 year contract and he finds out the team doesn't respond too well...then a better coach becomes available at the end of next season, but you have a very expensive coach tied up for 2 more years.

 

[SirJW]

Just got an idea that Luc will be hiring from within. A Stanley Cup pedigree, Matt Greene.

 

[DryKing]

Out of all the names you listed, the only ones I can see being "decorated and experienced NHL coach" are Cassidy and Gallant. Gallant's health is AFAIK a big question mark and Cassidy failed to bring out the best out of a very talented Vegas team anymore, so it's not like he's a good fit for a quite considerably less talented team.

Personally I'd be open to a coach like Tippett that is historically known to bring out the best out of an on-paper team, but I remember someone saying he's not planning to return to NHL coaching.

Anyways...there seems to be some good things clicking with DJ and replacing him with a coach that isn't a clear cut upgrade just for the sake of replacing him seems foolish. Sure, if he doesn't accept a 1 or max. 2-year deal Ken should look at alternatives. But hiring another coach just for the sake of that coach not being our own without being a clear cut alternative is foolish. Ken gives Cassidy a hefty 3 year contract and he finds out the team doesn't respond too well...then a better coach becomes available at the end of next season, but you have a very expensive coach tied up for 2 more years.

I hadn't thought of Tippett, but I would be in favor of him also if he desires to return as a HC.

talking about 3 year max contracts, McLellan got one of those from Blake and was the highest paid HC in the league - based on a questionable pedegree. Hiller then got another based on no, to little, HC experience. If we are going to swing at a 3 year max deal, which has been the King's MO, we need to do so on someone like Cassidy who has an actual pedegree and history of success.

DJ isn't bad, but unless there is no better option out there (which is hard to believe) the Kings would be silly giving him anything other than a 1 year contract. If he will not accept it, then we move on.

@SirJW hard to think Greene would be ready for a HC role, but if we are going to give anyone without a NHL coaching pedigree a chance then he is a good option.

 

[Bollocks]

I hadn't thought of Tippett, but I would be in favor of him also if he desires to return as a HC.

talking about 3 year max contracts, McLellan got one of those from Blake and was the highest paid HC in the league - based on a questionable pedegree. Hiller then got another based on no, to little, HC experience. If we are going to swing at a 3 year max deal, which has been the King's MO, we need to do so on someone like Cassidy who has an actual pedegree and history of success.

DJ isn't bad, but unless there is no better option out there (which is hard to believe) the Kings would be silly giving him anything other than a 1 year contract. If he will not accept it, then we move on.

@SirJW hard to think Greene would be ready for a HC role, but if we are going to give anyone without a NHL coaching pedigree a chance then he is a good option.

Oh absolutely. Maybe a 2 year deal with 2nd year being based on how well the team does or a team option...

What about the Ontario HC? If it would have to be someone affordable from within...

 

[ICE24]

I don't believe a big time coach will get these players to the next level. Anaheim was built and then they brought in a big time coach. The Kings need quite a few players to make this team ready to take the next step. I would seriously bring in the Ontario coach during a rebuild.

 

[VCRW]

I don't believe a big time coach will get these players to the next level. Anaheim was built and then they brought in a big time coach. The Kings need quite a few players to make this team ready to take the next step. I would seriously bring in the Ontario coach during a rebuild.

Seems as though Lord has done a great job in Ontario. Just as he did in Greenville. His players seems to love him and he sure got the best out of the Reign so far this season.

 

[Illegal_Stick]

The whole problem with this "retool" has been around coaching. If you hire someone great - they're going to make you competitive. That's what McLellan did. He pushed the roster as far as it could go. It gave the illusion, in fact, that the team was ready. I do not want another skilled coach coming in, refusing to play young players and dragging a sub par team into the playoffs. Frankly, I'd rather have Lord or DJ work well with the young guys and show what this team really is.

 

[DryKing]

Oh absolutely. Maybe a 2 year deal with 2nd year being based on how well the team does or a team option...

What about the Ontario HC? If it would have to be someone affordable from within...

I don't know a whole lot about Lord other than he has been successful at every level he has coached out so far. He also has been able to drive success in Ontario without any real stars on the rosters and has been able to drive smooth integration and solid development in players.

You may be on to something here. I'm sure the ideal would be to keep him in Ontario a couple more seasons and see how he does but, from what I can see, he'd be one of the top choices if the Kings go with a coach without prior NHL HC experience.

I'd actually like to see the Kings give him a try on a deal similar to what you have outlined (2 year deal, 1 year guaranteed, 2nd year contingent).

 

[ICE24]

If the Kings bring in a new coach it has to be a 4-5 year contract. Getting this team to the next level is going to take time. I don't believe you can keep changing coaches every two years with young players stepping in.

With that being said, Holland is not going to do that because he doesn't have that time left on his contract.

 

[hokiecat]

If the Kings bring in a new coach it has to be a 4-5 year contract. Getting this team to the next level is going to take time. I don't believe you can keep changing coaches every two years with young players stepping in.

With that being said, Holland is not going to do that because he doesn't have that time left on his contract.

There's no young players to step in. Wright is Austin Wagner 2.0. Bruz is more of a long term prospect.

 

[ICE24]

There's no young players to step in. Wright is Austin Wagner 2.0. Bruz is more of a long term prospect.

I am talking about draft picks. Since the Kings will most likely be at the bottom of the league, they will at least get the opportunity for decent draft picks. The Kings won't sniff the playoffs next season as they will be replaced by the Sharks. They should have at least 4 years of decent draft picks. Hopefully two of those players will stick and become solid NHL players.

 

[DryKing]

There's no young players to step in. Wright is Austin Wagner 2.0. Bruz is more of a long term prospect.

I think Wooley may surprise you but yes the pipeline is pretty bare. Brz could potentially come up mid-way next season. He has the physical tools to do so.

Wright is Austin Wagner 2.0 who is pretty stellar on defense. He gives the Kings and option to trade another bottom 6 forward and slot him in.

 

[Ice Rhino]

I saw nothing in the playoffs that changed my mind that Smith should be retained. He looked good in comparison to Hiller, but that's a low, low bar.

 

[Liz4LA]

DJ Smith should not be back. He was uninspired in his line combos and terrible in game time management.

Since the quacks took the coach I wanted for the Kings, Bruce Cassidy please. Kings are still a veteran team and are not going to rebuild. They have no real guys ready. Maybe Kenny Connors? After DD leaves or retires, then that's when the rebuild will happen. They got to get a top 5 talent in the draft and restock the cupboards. Good news is we have good goalie prospects.

 

[Illegal_Stick]

We’re going to get a great coach for a sub par team and then we will think this team is something. It isn’t. At least we will be losing in game sevens again lol.

 

[Statue4Deano]

I keep asking myself why would any top tier head coach come to LA? This team is far from being a contender unless a miracle happens.

Seems pretty obvious a second tier re-tread will be hired. I’m thinking Jay Woodcroft. He’s got a connection to Ken Holland. He’s already local (assistant for the Ducks). He’s youngish (meaning he’s in no hurry to win now).

 

[Illegal_Stick]

I don’t get it. Why does anyone want a top head coach for this mess?

 

[Dexter]

I'm so glad we have a real opportunity to search for a suitable head coach. It better dammelf not be a former Kingses player.

 

[ICE24]

I don’t believe Smith did a bad job with this lineup. I just don’t believe this team was that good. We obviously saw that they did not win many games in regulation, and benefited greatly from the 3 point play. That won’t happen next season. Whomever is the coach next year and if somehow the Kings make the playoffs, that coach is a candidate for coach of the year.