When the Los Angeles Kings fired head coach Jim Hiller on March 1, the season looked all but lost. Sitting at 24-21-14 and drifting out of playoff contention, the team turned to interim coach D.J. Smith—a familiar face who had previously led the Ottawa Senators. What happened next was nothing short of a rally: Smith guided the Kings to an 11-6-6 finish, snatching the final wild-card spot in the Western Conference. But the storybook ending wasn't meant to be. The powerhouse Colorado Avalanche swept Los Angeles in the first round, marking the Kings' fifth consecutive postseason exit at that stage.

Now, as the dust settles, Smith is officially in the running for the full-time head coaching job. General manager Ken Holland confirmed Friday that Smith will be among the candidates when he kicks off his coaching search this month. "D.J. did a great job," Holland said. "The team responded to him, so he's a candidate." Holland plans to interview five to eight people—some with head coaching experience, some assistants, and a few first-timers—before making a decision.

But the search isn't just about filling a seat. It's about breaking a frustrating cycle. The Kings haven't advanced past the first round since winning the Stanley Cup in 2014, and this year's team managed 15 fewer standings points than last season. "As I sit here today, I'm not happy," Holland admitted. "Luc Robitaille isn't happy. Our players aren't happy. It was a disappointing season."

The numbers tell the story: Los Angeles finished under .500 at home, ranked 29th in the league in goals scored (just 225), and barely squeaked into the playoffs before getting swept by a Presidents' Trophy winner. While Holland has ruled out a full-scale rebuild, he hinted at a shift in philosophy—moving away from the Kings' longtime defense-first identity to address their offensive struggles. For fans and players alike, the message is clear: Good isn't good enough anymore. The search for a new leader begins now, and the goal is nothing less than a return to championship contention.