Adedokun Waliyu 
QUEBEC CITY, CANADA - OCTOBER 5: The Los Angeles Kings head coach Jim Hiller talks to the media during press conference after game between the Florida Panthers and the Los Angeles Kings at Videotron Centre on October 5, 2024 in Quebec City, Canada. (Photo by Arianne Bergeron/NHLI via Getty Images)
The Toronto Maple Leafs have named Jim Hiller the 41st head coach in franchise history, bringing the veteran bench boss back to the organization where he previously served as an assistant during the early years of the Auston Matthews–Mitch Marner era.
Hiller, 57, joins the Leafs after three seasons as head coach of the Los Angeles Kings, where he posted a 93‑58‑24 record and a .600 points percentage across 175 games.
Hiller was fired by the Kings mid-way through the 2025-26 season after posting a 24-21-14 record and replaced by interim head coach D.J. Smith. Los Angeles qualified for the playoffs but was eliminated in four games by the Colorado Avalanche.
Jim Hiller has been named the 41st Head Coach in franchise history!
His hiring marks the first major coaching move under new general manager John Chayka, who praised Hiller’s experience and communication skills.
“Jim is an experienced coach with a strong understanding of what it takes to win in today’s NHL,” Chayka said. “He 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.”
Hiller said returning to Toronto — where he spent four seasons as an assistant from 2015 to 2019 under Mike Babcock — felt like a natural fit.
“This is a special organization with great players, passionate fans and high expectations,” he said. “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.”
Before taking over the Kings, Hiller spent two seasons as an assistant in Los Angeles and three with the New York Islanders, working under Barry Trotz. His first NHL coaching stop came in Toronto, where he helped guide the Leafs to three playoff appearances between 2015 and 2019 with Matthews, Marner and William Nylander.
Hiller replaces Craig Berube, who was fired by the Maple Leafs in May following a disappointing 32-36-14 record with the team missing the playoffs for the first time in the Matthews era.
The new Leafs coach inherits a roster still built around its core stars but entering a new era under Chayka, who made his first big move as GM on Tuesday, sending Joseph Woll and Simon Benoit to Philadelphia for Emil Andrae, Samuel Ersson and a 2026 third-round draft pick.
The Leafs will select first overall in the upcoming 2026 NHL Draft.
