Kings Consider Jay Woodcroft for Head Coach Role Amid Offseason Changes

The Los Angeles Kings are making headlines early in the offseason as they seek to fill their head coaching position. With a variety of options on the table, including notable names like Bruce Cassidy and Peter Laviolette, the Kings are exploring their choices carefully.

According to NHL insider Frank Seravalli, Jay Woodcroft, who interviewed with the Kings last week, is also slated to meet with the Toronto Maple Leafs later this week. This development adds another layer to the coaching search, as Woodcroft is being viewed as a strong candidate for both franchises. Seravalli noted that Woodcroft is seen as one of the frontrunners for the Toronto job, indicating his potential to return to an NHL bench next season.

Woodcroft becomes the second confirmed candidate in the Kings’ search, following reports linking Laviolette to the position. Currently, they have interviewed only these two coaches, while Cassidy remains a strong consideration, though the Vegas Golden Knights have yet to grant permission for the Kings to speak with him.

What makes Woodcroft an intriguing option for Los Angeles? The former Edmonton Oilers head coach demonstrated his capabilities by leading the team to an impressive 26-9-3 finish and a spot in the Western Conference Final during his interim tenure in the 2022 season. In his first full season as head coach, he guided the Oilers to a 50-23-9 record and set an NHL record for the most efficient power play at 32.4%.

His experience in developing young talent like Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl could be invaluable for the Kings, especially as they look to boost their offensive production around emerging stars like Quinton Byfield and Brandt Clarke. Woodcroft’s offensive-minded approach could breathe new life into a team that has struggled to generate consistent scoring.

In addition to his time with the Oilers, Woodcroft served as an assistant coach with the Anaheim Ducks this past season, helping them reach the playoffs for the first time since 2017-18, where they faced off against his former team in the first round. His fresh perspective and focus on youth could be just what the Kings need as they evaluate their future coaching direction.

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