The Los Angeles Kings have found their new bench boss.
After much speculation, general manager Rob Blake has announced that Todd McLellan and the Kings have agreed to terms on a multi-year contract to be the franchise's new head coach.
A news conference is set to be held on Wednesday morning to announce and comment the hiring.
The Oilers fired McLellan and replaced him with Ken Hitchcock back in November. McLellan is still under contract for the rest of this season and 2019-20 at $3 million per campaign, but it didn't stop the Kings from asking permission to speak with the veteran head coach.
Before Edmonton, McLellan was an assistant under Mike Babcock with the Detroit Red Wings and coached for seven seasons in San Jose with the Sharks, arguably the Kings' biggest rival. GM Blake played for McLellan at the end of Blake’s Hall of Fame career, from 2008 to 2010.
When Blake met with media at the end of the season a few days ago, he was quick to point out to the Los Angeles Times what he is looking for in his new coach: "someone who will implement structure and a system, and motivate a veteran group that has become complacent."
It seems like he is the perfect man for the job in LA.
The Buffalo Sabres were also reportedly looking into the possibility of hiring McLellan as their new bench boss, however, McLellan has set his mind of helping the Kings become Cup contenders once again.
McLellan will be the 29th head coach in Kings history.
