The Los Angeles Kings found their new head coach on Tuesday and went with the person that may know the Pacific Division better than any other coach available. The Kings signed Todd McLellan to a multi-year contract on Tuesday to become their next head coach. McLellan will replace Willie Desjardins, who was the team's interim head coach, but he was not retained. He took over in November after the Kings fired John Stevens after their 4-8-1 start to their season. They ended up going 27-34-8 the rest of the way under Desjardins, still finishing in last place of the Pacific.
The 51-year-old McLellan was also fired this past November, but by the Kings' division rival Edmonton Oilers, after a 9-10-1 start. Before the struggles this season, he led the Oilers to their first 100-point season since 1987 and their only Stanley Cup Playoff appearance since 2006, both of which came last season. He was with the Oilers since the 2015-2016 season, and before that, spent seven seasons with another one of the Kings' rivals in the San Jose Sharks.
In 806 career regular season games, McLellan holds a record of 434-282-90, which is good for 33rd in NHL history, and 11th among active coaches. Over 10 full seasons at the NHL level, he has reached the Stanley Cup Playoffs seven times. The Kings gave their new coach a five-year contract that is worth $5 million per season. He reportedly took this job over the Buffalo Sabres gig with hopes of quickly climbing the Kings back up the Western Conference playoff picture.
The 51-year-old McLellan was also fired this past November, but by the Kings' division rival Edmonton Oilers, after a 9-10-1 start. Before the struggles this season, he led the Oilers to their first 100-point season since 1987 and their only Stanley Cup Playoff appearance since 2006, both of which came last season. He was with the Oilers since the 2015-2016 season, and before that, spent seven seasons with another one of the Kings' rivals in the San Jose Sharks.
In 806 career regular season games, McLellan holds a record of 434-282-90, which is good for 33rd in NHL history, and 11th among active coaches. Over 10 full seasons at the NHL level, he has reached the Stanley Cup Playoffs seven times. The Kings gave their new coach a five-year contract that is worth $5 million per season. He reportedly took this job over the Buffalo Sabres gig with hopes of quickly climbing the Kings back up the Western Conference playoff picture.
