Peter Laviolette is back in the NHL, officially taking the reins as the new head coach of the Los Angeles Kings. The veteran bench boss brings a wealth of experience and a reputation as one of the league's most accomplished coaches.
Laviolette Joins Kings Amidst Interest from Other Teams
The hiring comes as reports surfaced that the Toronto Maple Leafs and Edmonton Oilers were also monitoring Laviolette during the recent coaching carousel. With his addition, Los Angeles gains a seasoned leader for the upcoming 2026 season.
Peter Laviolette has been named the new head coach of the Los Angeles Kings after the organization opted for the veteran coach to guide the franchise into the 2026 campaign. This move returns one of the NHL's most experienced coaches to the league. Laviolette drew interest from several teams before the Kings secured his services, according to NHL insider Elliotte Friedman. The terms of the contract have not been disclosed.
Impressive Coaching Resume
Throughout his career, Laviolette has coached 1,594 NHL games and posted an impressive record of 846 wins, 562 losses, 25 ties, and 161 overtime defeats. He won the Stanley Cup championship with the Carolina Hurricanes in 2006. Over the years, he has also coached the New York Rangers, Washington Capitals, Nashville Predators, Philadelphia Flyers, and the Hurricanes, building a reputation for quickly turning teams around.
What Laviolette Brings to the Kings
Adding Laviolette gives the Los Angeles Kings a proven coach with playoff experience and championship credentials. Los Angeles has been a competitive team in recent years but has been seeking deeper postseason success. The organization hopes Laviolette's leadership and tactical acumen can help propel the team into Stanley Cup contention.
Meanwhile, the Toronto Maple Leafs and Edmonton Oilers will continue exploring other options as the NHL coaching carousel spins on. This development adds to an eventful offseason and is expected to feature prominently in upcoming NHL news roundups.
