Toronto Maple Leafs hire Jim Hiller as next head coach

The Toronto Maple Leafs are turning to former Los Angeles Kings coach Jim Hiller to get them back to the playoffs after the end of their nine-year streak.

Hiller, 57, replaces Craig Berube, who was fired after two seasons.

Hiller was fired by the Kings in March but is familiar with the Maple Leafs organization, serving as an assistant coach from 2015-19, making the playoffs three times in that four-year span.

He had a 93-58-24 record in the regular season with the Kings, including tying a franchise record for wins and points, but he lost in the first round in his two trips to the playoffs.

“Jim is an experienced coach with a strong understanding of what it takes to win in today's NHL,” general manager John Chayka said. “He has worked with successful teams throughout his career, connects well with players and brings a clear approach behind the bench. We believe he's the right person to lead our team and help us reach our goals.”

This is a crucial year for the Maple Leafs. They missed the playoffs for the first time since 2016. But they landed the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 draft by winning the draft lottery.

They are expected to take Gavin McKenna with that pick, and Hiller would be his first NHL coach.

“I’m incredibly excited for the opportunity to return to Toronto and lead the Maple Leafs,” Hiller said. “This is a special organization with great players, passionate fans and high expectations. I’m looking forward to getting to work with our players and staff and doing everything we can to help this team reach its full potential.”

Jim Hiller's coaching experience

Before becoming the Kings' head coach, he had been an assistant coach with the Detroit Red Wings, Maple Leafs and Kings. He was interim coach or head coach of the Kings for 175 regular-season games. He began his coaching career in junior hockey in the Western Hockey League.

Jim Hiller as Kings head coach

He was promoted to interim coach in February 2024 after the Kings fired Todd McLellan. He got the Kings to the playoffs, where they lost to the Edmonton Oilers in the first round.

The Kings removed the interim title and he led the team to a franchise-record-tying 48 wins and 105 points. They faced the Oilers in the first round for the fourth time in four years and lost for the fourth time, despite taking a 2-0 series lead.

They led in Game 3 when Evander Kane scored to tie the game. The on-ice officials initially ruled he kicked in the puck but a review overturned that. Then Hiller challenged for goaltender interference and lost, giving the Oilers a power play. Evan Bouchard scored 10 seconds later for a 5-4 lead and eventual 7-4 victory.

"We felt like it was goalie interference, so we challenged it," Hiller told reporters after that game. "Sometimes you win. Sometimes you lose on those and tonight (we) lost and it cost us big time. No other way around it."

The Kings' collapse cost general manager Rob Blake his job, but new GM Ken Holland kept on Hiller.

"Jim Hiller did a fabulous job in leading the team to 105 points," Holland said. "They were good defensively. They were good on special teams. The team played hard. ... He'll be a better coach next year for the experience he went through this year."

Holland fired Hiller and naned D,J, Smith interim coach on March 1. The Kings had a five-game losing streak around the Olympic break, including an 8-1 loss to the Oilers.

Other NHL coach hirings and openings

The Vancouver Canucks hired Manny Malhotra on June 1.

The Kings hired Peter Laviolette on June 8.

The Oilers are looking for a coach after firing Kris Knoblauch.

The Vegas Golden Knights are looking for a coach after saying John Tortorella isn't returning.