Disagree about the comparison to Terry Murray. Murray was the perfect coach for the Kings when he was hired. Coming off the disastrous Crawford era when defense and goaltending was horrible, Murray installed the "home-plate" defense first structure that would ultimately characterize the Cup-winning teams. Kopitar became the two-way Selke player / HOFer under Murray's coaching. Ultimately, his undoing was that his defense-first system became too stifling. Sutter was able to modify to find the perfect balance between relentless forecheck offense and stiffing defense. Two Stanley Cup championships were the result. The groundwork / trenchwork was laid by Murray.
As for Hiller, I could see him getting another crack at coaching, but maybe in the AHL. He just seemed in over his head, especially in last year's playoffs. With more experience, he might do quite well. Just not now, with this roster and this organization.
I've often had flashbacks to the end of the 2005-2006 season, and the similarities continue. That year, Andy Murray (no relation to Terry) was fired in March (later on in the month), after an Olympic break. John Torchetti came in as the interim (as DJ Smith is now), but he, too, was gone by seasons end. A major housecleaning was done when DL was hired. The organization needs a similar reboot now.
It's sad for Kopitar, in that the organization is in similar, putrid shape as it was when he arrived. Of course, it was the intervening years that he'll be remembered for.
