The Kings have hired Davis Payne as an assistant coach and have signed him to a multi-year contract, Kings President/GM Dean Lombardi and Head Coach Darryl Sutter announced today. "Davis was clearly the guy at the top of our list," said Sutter. "We wanted somebody with NHL head coaching experience, and preferably a younger guy who communicates well with players and fits in well with our staff. We're excited about having him." Payne, 41, most recently was the head coach of the Blues.