According to reports from Sportsnet and ESPN on Monday, the Los Angeles Kings are finalizing a three-year contract with Peter Laviolette to become their new head coach.
The veteran coach had been in discussions with the Toronto Maple Leafs about their coaching position as recently as last week, multiple sources indicated, while the Edmonton Oilers had also considered him for their open head coaching role.
At 61 years old, Laviolette brings 23 seasons of NHL head coaching experience to the Kings organization.
His coaching resume includes a Stanley Cup championship with the Carolina Hurricanes in 2006. Laviolette also guided teams to the Stanley Cup Final on two other occasions – with the Philadelphia Flyers in 2010 and the Nashville Predators in 2017.
His most recent position was with the New York Rangers, where he served from 2023-25. During his initial season with the Rangers, Laviolette’s team posted a 55-23-4 record for 114 points and made it to the Eastern Conference finals before falling to the Florida Panthers in six games. However, the following season saw New York struggle to a 39-36-7 record with 85 points, missing the playoffs by six points and resulting in Laviolette’s firing in April 2025.
Throughout his coaching career with the New York Islanders (2001-03), Hurricanes (2003-09), Flyers (2009-14), Predators (2014-20), Washington Capitals (2020-23) and Rangers, Laviolette has compiled an 846-562-161 record with 25 ties.
Among coaches born in the United States, his 846 regular-season victories represent the most in NHL history and rank seventh overall.
As a player, Laviolette appeared in 12 NHL contests as a defenseman, all coming during the 1988-89 campaign with the Rangers.
