Top Veteran Coaches for Kings’ GM Ken Holland to Consider

In a recent exit meeting, Los Angeles Kings GM Ken Holland opened up about the future of interim head coach D.J. Smith, noting that while Smith is a candidate for the position, he is not guaranteed the role for next season. Holland stated that he has a list of potential coaching candidates that spans about “five to eight” names, indicating a range of experience levels. With several seasoned coaches available, the Kings have a unique opportunity to elevate their coaching staff.

Among the top candidates, Bruce Cassidy stands out as a prime choice for teams aiming to be competitive in the hunt for the Stanley Cup. Cassidy has a proven track record, having guided two different franchises to the Stanley Cup finals. He first led the Boston Bruins to the championship round in 2019, where they ultimately fell to the St. Louis Blues. The following year, he received the Jack Adams Trophy as the NHL’s best coach. Most recently, Cassidy achieved a historic milestone by steering the Vegas Golden Knights to their first-ever Stanley Cup victory in 2023. After being let go by the Golden Knights on March 29, he is now an attractive option for any team looking to make a serious playoff push.

Another strong candidate is Peter Laviolette, who brings a wealth of experience with over 1,500 games as a head coach in the NHL. He clinched a Stanley Cup title with the Carolina Hurricanes in 2006 and made two additional finals appearances with the Philadelphia Flyers in 2010 and the Nashville Predators in 2017. After spending the 2025-26 season away from coaching, Laviolette’s last role was with the New York Rangers, where he led the team to the Eastern Conference finals in his first year but was let go after a disappointing follow-up season. Despite a shorter tenure with some teams, Laviolette has consistently delivered significant achievements throughout his career.

Lastly, Gerard Gallant is another veteran coach who deserves consideration. He famously led the Golden Knights to the Stanley Cup final during their inaugural season in 2017, earning the Jack Adams Trophy for his efforts that year. Although Gallant has been out of the NHL for some time, he recently coached Team Canada at the Spengler Cup in 2024-25, and he spent the past season in the KHL with the Shanghai Dragons, resigning in January. His experience and success make him a compelling candidate as well.

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