Statue4Deano
Super Star
Or they could do nothing and the season will end the same way. If Hiller is fired there’s a very good chance his replacement is already on staff.
Can anyone behind the bench do better?
Hiller Hotseat Thread
- Thread starter Birdman
- Start date
Can anyone behind the bench do better?
VCRW
Classic player
A baboon couldn’t do much worse managing the line combinations and allocating ice time.
Statue4Deano
Super Star
No argument here.
McSorleyFan
Top Forward
Seems more and more like an off season thing.
Clif
Super Star
This. Kings are 8-9-3 in their last 20. I’m not worried about DJ Smith tarnishing such a sparkling run.
I’m resigned to Holland hiring an actual replacement in the summer.
Illegal_Stick
Super Star
At this point it seems clear we’re either missing the playoffs or making an early exit. My main concern now is the damage that keeping Hiller could do to this team. I’m concerned about trading an underachiever like Byfield who may flourish under a better coach (and don’t get me wrong - plenty of this is on Byfield.)
The Danault example has me concerned. Heart and soul guy gives iuo - that’s odd. But those in charge didn’t think that maybe the coach was the issue. We can live without Danault, but I’m worried a bigger mistake will be made because Hiller is our coach. A bigger mistake with a more important player.
The Danault example has me concerned. Heart and soul guy gives iuo - that’s odd. But those in charge didn’t think that maybe the coach was the issue. We can live without Danault, but I’m worried a bigger mistake will be made because Hiller is our coach. A bigger mistake with a more important player.
VCRW
Classic player
Columbus just brought back Bowness. Really good move. He said he is good to go after resolving some health issues after leaving Winnipeg. Wish the Kings front office could pull a rabbit out of a hat like that.
Statue4Deano
Super Star
Mike Babcock will be hired no later than 6/1/2026.
DryKing
Power Forward
I'm really curious as to what Danault's reason was for wanting out (if he truly did want out). Danault is a heart and soul guy, so if he wanted out due to Hiller then I agree with you.
Otherwise I say we stick with Hiller through the end of the season, at this point, and either he grows as a coach or we get a lottery pick - win/win as long as he isn't damaging our young players in the process. It really does seem like the young players are finally getting a chance under HIller, however, which is a nice change.
As others have mentioned, line combos are still odd. With Kopi out I really can't understand why Kempe isn't getting full time duties on Byfield's wing.
Statue4Deano
Super Star
Hiller is deploying Byfield like a 3rd line Center. He’s using him like a defensive stopper. Kempe is being asked to score goals. That’s why he’s on a different line.
symbology
TEAM LGK
I do not mind the thought process here. I am just not sure I completely agree with it. My one big issue with this scenario is that this change would be very close to the end of the season. Just about 24-25 games left. I am not sure that that is enough time for a coach to really make any real changes/impact.
If the Kings are still in the thick of things, they will ride him out. If they are out of the playoff hunt, they would be wise to ride him out and become sellers at the deadline.
Clif
Super Star
Date may be accurate but I’d be surprised to see Babcock. Provided it’s the summer and he can yank anyone I’d think Woodcroft has a good chance for his second chance. But what do I know. I like Babcock from the chaos angle. This year has broken me.
Oh, don't get me wrong, changing the coach during the Olympic break really does nothing for the current team/roster.
It's really more of a show to the fans of "We really want to win and we mean business"......so the fans don't continually head for the exits and close their wallets. Appeasement, if you will
It's also a veiled threat from the GM to the current roster that he and the organization mean business and that they want to win, and nobody is "safe". The old adage "We can't fire the entire team, so we fire the coach".
So long as Luc is running the show, the above mentioned "reasons" are his (and Rob's) M.O. for a decade plus. Same old same old.
Look, they brought in a new GM and effectively tied his hands for a complete season.
This is how Luc rolls. He is a company man. AEG is down with this.
VCRW
Classic player
Top line should be 14-55-9. Laf is not a center and certainly doesn't play like a center. His "conversion" has been a liability, negatively affecting both his scoring and Kempe's scoring. If Hiller wants QB to be Handzus, then play Turc between between Juice and Laf until Kopi comes back... with the hope that Holland can find a real 1C in the offseason.
symbology
TEAM LGK
I think it is clear he wanted out, or wanted something in regards to his situation to change and that did not happen. Maybe it was a similar situation to when Spence got traded? There have been a number of media folk mentioning tension between Danault and management. No real good explanation as to why there was tension. Talk was it was about how he was being used and how the Kings wanted to give Turq more meaningful minutes. If that is the case, is that on Hiller, or Holland, maybe both?
The whole Danault calling in sick was either the team taking a jab at him, or Danault really did call in sick and basically said I am not coming to work anymore, trade me. He was traded before he would ever practice or play with the Kings again.
Illegal_Stick
Super Star
My concern is he does well enough to get us close and he makes a deadline deal getting rid of players that Hiller has devalued. Byfield comes to mind.
symbology
TEAM LGK
I cannot see QB being traded. If he is traded the Kings are sending more and getting an upgrade. QB may not become the 1C that we had hoped he would become. He is still a pretty darn good player that is still young. Many folks must have forgotten Kopi's mistakes when he was younger. Yes, he did make mistakes. He did learn. QB is learning at a little bit slower of a pace. Understandable as I do not think his dad was a hockey coach.
DoubleMinor
Top Forward
Trading QB means the Kings need at least two top three center positions filled and that’s a pretty bad starting point going into the offseason.
Your points are valid beyond that. Byfield has developed slower than most everyone assumed/hoped. But I honestly doubt he will be the player 2-3 years from now that he is today. His path has not been all that smooth so far. A couple early years with health issues, then playing wing, now a year and a half playing C. He is really only beginning his journey as a centerman. But he is a guy who has to start some upward movement.
Re the questions over Danault departure, I think Phil was upset about feeling diminished in his role. I can’t fault that. To a point. If he was upset you don’t hurt the team with your response. That’s inexcusable. You grind it out, discuss it and maybe ask for a trade in the offseason. You don’t quit. You don’t quit on the team. ESPECIALLY when you aren’t producing. His performance actually showed that maybe the smaller role was appropriate. But, it’s also appropriate to understand that his line with Moore and Foegele was less than anemic. A smaller role with linemates who aren’t performing did not help matters. Still a disappointing end to his time here, with a guy who played really well for the Kings.