He replaces Willie Desjardins, who was let go by the Kings after they finished 31-42-9 and did not make the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the second time in three seasons.
McLellan is the Kings' third coach since Darryl Sutter was fired after the 2016-17 season. Desjardins replaced John Stevens on Nov. 4 after the Kings started 4-8-1. Desjardins was 27-34-8 with Los Angeles.
McLellan was 434-282-90 through 11 seasons with the San Jose Sharks and Edmonton Oilers. He was fired by the Oilers on Nov. 20 after going 9-10-1 in the first 20 games of his fourth season with them.
His team has reached the Stanley Cup Playoffs seven times, including six of his first seven seasons with the Sharks. McLellan is 37-38 in the playoffs.
The Kings have missed the playoffs three times in five seasons since winning the Stanley Cup for the second time in 2014 (also in 2012).
