Digest

The podcast begins with a discussion about a hockey equivalent to the 50/15 rule in baseball, with a listener suggesting 20 goals, 20 assists, and 20 starts in goal as a potential equivalent. The hosts then introduce themselves and their location in El Segundo, California, for interviews with the LA Kings. The main topic of discussion is Drew Doughty's injury, which occurred during the Kings' preseason game in Vegas. Doughty suffered a broken bone and potential ligament damage, raising concerns about his availability for the upcoming season. The hosts speculate on potential replacements for Doughty on the Kings' defense, considering options like Justin Schultz, Kevin Shattenkirk, and internal candidates like Kyle Burroughs and Brandt Clarke. They also discuss the Kings' likely defense pairings in Doughty's absence, considering the potential for Kyle Burroughs to fill the void alongside Mikey Anderson. The hosts then discuss Doughty's potential participation in the Four Nations tournament, with the Canadian team expressing confidence in his recovery and commitment to the team. They also discuss the potential impact of Doughty's injury on the Kings' playoff chances and express their hope for a speedy recovery. The podcast then previews the Kings' upcoming season, highlighting their upcoming games and plans for future podcast episodes, including an interview with Quentin Byfield. The hosts also discuss their experience watching Shohei Ohtani play for the Dodgers, highlighting the electricity he brings to the game and his impact on the team's success. The podcast continues with discussions about various other topics, including Nick Robertson's injury, the prevalence of injuries during the preseason, the Ottawa Senators' performance, Matt Dumba's impact in Dallas, the San Jose Sharks' physicality, Jeremy Swayman's future with the Boston Bruins, Igor Shesterkin's contract negotiations with the New York Rangers, John Gibson's appendectomy surgery, Ian Clark's potential departure from the Vancouver Canucks, Alexei Kolosov's arrival in Philadelphia, Ryan Johansson's grievance against the Philadelphia Flyers, Calder Trophy predictions, Cole Perfetti's contract extension with the Winnipeg Jets, Sean Reynolds' recent haircut, Perfetti's commitment to the Jets, the proposed construction of a new outdoor stadium in Toronto, Rasmus Dahlin's appointment as the new captain of the Buffalo Sabres, and the history of music in hockey arenas. The podcast concludes with an interview with Jim Hiller, the new head coach of the LA Kings. Hiller discusses his career path, his vision for the team, and his thoughts on the recent Drew Doughty injury. He emphasizes the importance of leadership and the opportunity for other players to step up in Doughty's absence. Hiller also discusses his experience transitioning from assistant coach to head coach, the challenges of shifting from "good cop" to "bad cop," and the importance of authenticity. He emphasizes the support he received from veteran players like Anze Kopitar and Drew Doughty. Hiller recounts a pivotal meeting after a 7-0 loss in Buffalo, where he set a clear standard of performance and accountability for all players, regardless of their status. He emphasizes the importance of establishing a strong team culture and the need to respond positively after setbacks. He also credits Jacque Lamar for teaching him the importance of simplicity in coaching, emphasizing clear communication and avoiding overcomplication. He highlights the need to hold players accountable while allowing them to play within a structured system. Hiller discusses the evolving dynamics of coaching young players, emphasizing the need for open communication and understanding their interests, including social media, music, and popular culture. He shares his personal connection with Quentin Byfield through their shared love of The Kid LAROI. He also addresses the challenge of integrating young players into a team with high expectations, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a strong team culture built on winning. He highlights the influence of veteran players like Trevor Lewis, Anze Kopitar, and Drew Doughty in setting the standard. Hiller expresses his admiration for Lou Lamoriello, highlighting his unwavering focus on winning and attention to detail. He credits Lamoriello for his mentorship and the valuable lessons he learned during their time together in Toronto. He also discusses the impact of other coaches on his career, including Mike Babcock, who gave him his first coaching opportunity, and DJ Smith, who taught him valuable lessons about playing without the puck. He emphasizes the importance of mentorship and the desire to pay it forward. Hiller discusses the challenges of facing Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, acknowledging their exceptional talent but emphasizing the Kings' need to improve to overcome them. He highlights the importance of player development and the need for young players to step up into bigger roles. He also reflects on the challenges of being an interim coach, acknowledging the pressure to prove oneself while navigating the uncertainty of the team's feelings. He emphasizes the importance of building relationships and demonstrating his capabilities. Hiller discusses his early adoption of analytics in coaching, emphasizing his belief that it should be used to enhance hockey sense rather than simply relying on data. He shares his approach of analyzing video and assigning values to specific moments in the game. He outlines his vision for the LA Kings, emphasizing the importance of speed and offensive creativity. He discusses the team's decision to move away from the 1-3-1 system and allow their forwards to utilize their skating abilities. Hiller highlights the impressive growth of Brandt Clark, praising his calmness and improved defensive play. He attributes Clark's development to his partnership with Joel Edmundson and his ability to settle into a professional hockey environment. He reflects on the most rewarding aspects of coaching, emphasizing the joy of witnessing player growth and celebrating their successes. He highlights the emotional rollercoaster of coaching and the privilege of being part of the team's journey. He emphasizes the importance of team spirit and unity in achieving success. He believes that while talent is essential, a strong team bond is crucial for winning championships. He highlights the need for the Kings to develop a stronger team spirit this season.

Outlines

00:00:00

Hockey 50/15 Equivalent and Podcast Introduction

The podcast begins with a discussion about a hockey equivalent to the 50/15 rule in baseball, with a listener suggesting 20 goals, 20 assists, and 20 starts in goal as a potential equivalent. The hosts then introduce themselves and their location in El Segundo, California, for interviews with the LA Kings.

00:02:11

Drew Doughty Injury Update and Kings' Defenseman Options

The hosts discuss Drew Doughty's injury sustained during the Kings' preseason game in Vegas. Doughty suffered a broken bone and potential ligament damage, raising concerns about his availability for the upcoming season. The hosts speculate on potential replacements for Doughty on the Kings' defense, considering options like Justin Schultz, Kevin Shattenkirk, and internal candidates like Kyle Burroughs and Brandt Clarke.

00:05:50

Kings' Defense Pairings and Doughty's Four Nations Status

The hosts discuss the Kings' likely defense pairings in Doughty's absence, considering the potential for Kyle Burroughs to fill the void alongside Mikey Anderson. They then discuss Doughty's potential participation in the Four Nations tournament, with the Canadian team expressing confidence in his recovery and commitment to the team.

00:08:22

Doughty Injury Impact and Kings' Future Outlook

The hosts discuss the potential impact of Doughty's injury on the Kings' playoff chances and express their hope for a speedy recovery. The podcast then previews the Kings' upcoming season, highlighting their upcoming games and plans for future podcast episodes, including an interview with Quentin Byfield.

00:09:43

Shohei Ohtani's Impact and Various Hockey Discussions

The hosts discuss their experience watching Shohei Ohtani play for the Dodgers, highlighting the electricity he brings to the game and his impact on the team's success. The podcast continues with discussions about various other topics, including Nick Robertson's injury, the prevalence of injuries during the preseason, the Ottawa Senators' performance, Matt Dumba's impact in Dallas, the San Jose Sharks' physicality, Jeremy Swayman's future with the Boston Bruins, Igor Shesterkin's contract negotiations with the New York Rangers, John Gibson's appendectomy surgery, Ian Clark's potential departure from the Vancouver Canucks, Alexei Kolosov's arrival in Philadelphia, Ryan Johansson's grievance against the Philadelphia Flyers, Calder Trophy predictions, Cole Perfetti's contract extension with the Winnipeg Jets, Sean Reynolds' recent haircut, Perfetti's commitment to the Jets, the proposed construction of a new outdoor stadium in Toronto, Rasmus Dahlin's appointment as the new captain of the Buffalo Sabres, and the history of music in hockey arenas.

01:06:33

Interview with Jim Hiller: Coaching Philosophy and Vision for the LA Kings

The podcast concludes with an interview with Jim Hiller, the new head coach of the LA Kings. Hiller discusses his career path, his vision for the team, and his thoughts on the recent Drew Doughty injury. He emphasizes the importance of leadership and the opportunity for other players to step up in Doughty's absence.

01:17:16

Transitioning to Head Coach and Addressing a 7-0 Loss

Hiller discusses his experience transitioning from assistant coach to head coach, the challenges of shifting from "good cop" to "bad cop," and the importance of authenticity. He emphasizes the support he received from veteran players like Anze Kopitar and Drew Doughty. Hiller recounts a pivotal meeting after a 7-0 loss in Buffalo, where he set a clear standard of performance and accountability for all players, regardless of their status. He emphasizes the importance of establishing a strong team culture and the need to respond positively after setbacks.

01:23:03

Coaching Lessons from Jacque Lamar and Connecting with Young Players

He also credits Jacque Lamar for teaching him the importance of simplicity in coaching, emphasizing clear communication and avoiding overcomplication. He highlights the need to hold players accountable while allowing them to play within a structured system. Hiller discusses the evolving dynamics of coaching young players, emphasizing the need for open communication and understanding their interests, including social media, music, and popular culture. He shares his personal connection with Quentin Byfield through their shared love of The Kid LAROI.

01:26:24

Maintaining Standards with a Young Roster and Mentorship from Lou Lamoriello

He also addresses the challenge of integrating young players into a team with high expectations, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a strong team culture built on winning. He highlights the influence of veteran players like Trevor Lewis, Anze Kopitar, and Drew Doughty in setting the standard. Hiller expresses his admiration for Lou Lamoriello, highlighting his unwavering focus on winning and attention to detail. He credits Lamoriello for his mentorship and the valuable lessons he learned during their time together in Toronto.

01:29:18

Influential Coaches and Facing Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl

He also discusses the impact of other coaches on his career, including Mike Babcock, who gave him his first coaching opportunity, and DJ Smith, who taught him valuable lessons about playing without the puck. He emphasizes the importance of mentorship and the desire to pay it forward. Hiller discusses the challenges of facing Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, acknowledging their exceptional talent but emphasizing the Kings' need to improve to overcome them. He highlights the importance of player development and the need for young players to step up into bigger roles.

01:32:17

The Weight of Interim Coaching and Embracing Analytics

He also reflects on the challenges of being an interim coach, acknowledging the pressure to prove oneself while navigating the uncertainty of the team's feelings. He emphasizes the importance of building relationships and demonstrating his capabilities. Hiller discusses his early adoption of analytics in coaching, emphasizing his belief that it should be used to enhance hockey sense rather than simply relying on data. He shares his approach of analyzing video and assigning values to specific moments in the game.

01:38:41

Vision for the LA Kings and Brandt Clark's Growth

He outlines his vision for the LA Kings, emphasizing the importance of speed and offensive creativity. He discusses the team's decision to move away from the 1-3-1 system and allow their forwards to utilize their skating abilities. Hiller highlights the impressive growth of Brandt Clark, praising his calmness and improved defensive play. He attributes Clark's development to his partnership with Joel Edmundson and his ability to settle into a professional hockey environment.

01:41:27

The Rewards of Coaching and Team Spirit and Winning

He reflects on the most rewarding aspects of coaching, emphasizing the joy of witnessing player growth and celebrating their successes. He highlights the emotional rollercoaster of coaching and the privilege of being part of the team's journey. He emphasizes the importance of team spirit and unity in achieving success. He believes that while talent is essential, a strong team bond is crucial for winning championships. He highlights the need for the Kings to develop a stronger team spirit this season.

Keywords

Q&A

• What is the impact of Drew Doughty's injury on the LA Kings?

  Doughty's injury is a significant blow to the Kings, as he is a key player and leader on the team. The hosts discuss potential replacements and the impact on the team's playoff chances.

• What are some of the key takeaways from Jim Hiller's interview?

  Hiller discusses his career path, his vision for the Kings, and his thoughts on the recent Drew Doughty injury. He emphasizes the importance of leadership and the opportunity for other players to step up in Doughty's absence.

• What are some of the biggest challenges of transitioning from an assistant coach to a head coach?

  One of the biggest challenges is shifting from being the "good cop" to the "bad cop" and maintaining authenticity. Players can sense phoneiness, so it's important to be true to yourself and let your players know who you are.

• How did you address the team after the 7-0 loss in Buffalo?

  I had to make it clear that the standard of performance was going to be high for everyone, regardless of their status on the team. It was important to establish a clear message and ensure everyone understood the expectations.

• What are some key lessons you learned from Jacque Lamar about coaching?

  Jacque taught me the importance of simplicity in coaching. It's crucial to communicate clearly and avoid overcomplicating things for the players. The game is simple, and players need to be able to understand and execute within a structured system.

• How do you connect with young players in today's hockey world?

  It's important to communicate with them on their level, which includes understanding their interests in social media, music, and popular culture. Finding common ground can help build a stronger connection and foster a more personal relationship.

• How do you maintain high standards with a young roster?

  The Kings have a strong team culture built on winning, which has been ingrained over many years. Veteran players like Trevor Lewis, Anze Kopitar, and Drew Doughty set the standard, and younger players learn from their example. This culture will help carry the franchise forward.

• What are some of the most rewarding aspects of coaching?

  The most rewarding part is witnessing player growth and celebrating their successes. It's an emotional rollercoaster, but it's a privilege to be part of the team's journey and share in their highs and lows.

Show Notes