Peter Laviolette Named New Head Coach of the LA Kings

Peter Laviolette is set to take the helm as the new head coach of the Los Angeles Kings, according to a source familiar with the negotiations. The announcement comes as the Kings conclude a thorough search for a permanent replacement for interim coach D.J. Smith, who stepped in after Jim Hiller’s departure in March.

The 61-year-old Laviolette, who will be leading his seventh NHL team, is expected to sign a three-year contract. Under his guidance, the Kings aim to break free from a troubling trend—five consecutive first-round playoff exits, despite making the postseason for five straight years.

Laviolette returns to the NHL after being let go by the New York Rangers in April 2025. His coaching resume includes tenures with the New York Islanders, Carolina Hurricanes, Philadelphia Flyers, Nashville Predators, and Washington Capitals, culminating in a Stanley Cup championship with the Hurricanes in 2006. His teams have reached the playoffs in 11 of the past 14 seasons, and he led both the Flyers in 2010 and the Predators in 2017 to the Stanley Cup Final. With 1,594 career games coached, he ranks ninth all-time in NHL history.

In his first coaching role on the West Coast, Laviolette inherits a talented roster that has struggled to become a true Stanley Cup contender. General Manager Ken Holland recently dismissed Hiller after the Olympic break, and during Smith’s interim tenure, the Kings posted an 11-6-6 record, ultimately securing the last playoff spot in the Western Conference. However, they were swept in the first round by the Colorado Avalanche.

The Kings have faced previous playoff failures against the Edmonton Oilers, which contributed to Rob Blake’s exit as general manager last year. Despite not winning a playoff round since their Cup victory in 2014, the Kings boast a solid core of talent, including high-scoring forwards Artemi Panarin, Adrian Kempe, Quinton Byfield, and Kevin Fiala.

Laviolette is known for his aggressive offensive strategies and his ability to revitalize franchises. This could signify a shift for the Kings, who have traditionally emphasized a defense-first approach, often at the expense of their offensive output. Last season, Los Angeles ranked 29th in the NHL in scoring, finding the net just 220 times—the lowest among playoff teams. The Kings have struggled to score over the past five seasons, raising questions about their playing style. Holland has hinted at the need for a change in philosophy after the Kings scored merely five goals in their four-game sweep against the Avalanche.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.