Elliotte Friedman reported that the Los Angeles Kings coaching search has narrowed to D.J. Smith and Jay Woodcroft as of early June 2026.
Search Timeline After Interim Tenure
D.J. Smith served as interim head coach starting March 1, 2026, after Jim Hiller’s dismissal and posted a .609 points percentage. Ken Holland confirmed on May 1, 2026, that a full search would begin immediately with Smith included as a candidate. The team finished the 2025-26 season without advancing deep in the playoffs, prompting the broader evaluation of the bench. Smith’s recent assignment to Team Canada’s coaching staff at the 2026 World Championships added external validation to his candidacy. Holland’s history with Woodcroft from their Edmonton days positions the former Oiler as a familiar alternative with assistant experience in Anaheim.
Candidates’ Contrasting Profiles
Smith brings recent on-ice familiarity with the Kings roster after guiding them through the final stretch of the regular season. Woodcroft offers a different tactical system drawn from his prior head coaching stint and current role as an assistant. Holland must weigh Smith’s internal continuity against Woodcroft’s external perspective and shared organizational history. The decision follows Rob Blake’s mutual parting as general manager on May 5, 2025, after eight seasons and a 309-238-71 regular-season record. Blake’s departure left Holland to lead the coaching hire without the previous executive’s input.
External Context and Blake’s Status
Speculation linking Blake to a potential role with the Colorado Avalanche surfaced in early June 2026, yet Darren Dreger indicated he is not eager to return to a full GM position soon. Joe Sakic assumed temporary GM duties for the Avalanche following their own front-office adjustments. This external development removes one layer of distraction for Holland as he finalizes the Kings’ bench choice. The search remains focused on the two frontrunners with no other names prominently mentioned in recent reports.
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Par Mike Jonderson
Mike Jonderson is a passionate hockey analyst and expert in advanced NHL statistics. A former college player and mathematics graduate, he combines his understanding of the game with technical expertise to develop innovative predictive models and contribute to the evolution of modern hockey analytics.