The Los Angeles Kings have found their next bench boss, with veteran coach Peter Laviolette set to become the franchise’s new head coach according to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman. He’s been given a three-year deal. Friedman also noted that both the Edmonton Oilers and Toronto Maple Leafs expressed interest before Laviolette chose Los Angeles.
For Kings general manager Ken Holland, the hire signals a desire to win now.
A Proven Winner Arrives in Los Angeles
Laviolette brings one of the most accomplished résumés among active NHL coaches. The 61-year-old has accumulated more than 800 career victories and owns a Stanley Cup championship from his time with the Carolina Hurricanes in 2006. He has also guided both the Philadelphia Flyers and Nashville Predators to Stanley Cup Final appearances, while leading six different franchises to the playoffs during his coaching career.
After spending the 2025-26 season away from the NHL, Laviolette returns behind the bench with an opportunity to help a Kings team that has struggled to take the next step in recent years.
Experience Is Exactly What the Kings Need
Los Angeles has consistently been a playoff team but has failed to make a deep postseason run. The organization has experienced several coaching changes in recent seasons and ultimately moved on from Jim Hiller during the 2025-26 campaign before D.J. Smith finished the year on an interim basis.
Laviolette’s greatest strength has always been his ability to quickly establish structure and accountability. His teams traditionally play an aggressive forechecking style while demanding strong two-way commitment from every player.
For a Kings roster built around veterans such as Artemi Panarin, Trevor Moore, Drew Doughty and Kevin Fiala, that philosophy should fit naturally.
Maximizing the Young Core
Perhaps the biggest challenge for Laviolette will be balancing the club’s veteran leadership with its younger players.
Los Angeles has several emerging pieces that must continue developing if the franchise hopes to become a true Stanley Cup contender. Laviolette has a history of getting immediate results, but the Kings will also need long-term growth from their next generation.
If he can blend those elements together, Los Angeles could become one of the more dangerous teams in the Pacific Division.
Why the Hire Makes Sense
Ken Holland has always valued experience, and Laviolette offers exactly that. Few coaches available this summer possessed his combination of playoff success, leadership, and credibility.
The Kings are not rebuilding—they are trying to win now.
By bringing in a Stanley Cup-winning coach with decades of NHL experience, Los Angeles is making it clear that merely reaching the playoffs is no longer enough. The expectation is to finally break through and compete for a championship.
Whether Laviolette can deliver remains to be seen, but the Kings have placed their trust in one of hockey’s most accomplished bench bosses.
Next: Dylan Larkin’s Rumored Trade List Could Spark A Blockbuster Bidding War
Discover more from NHL Trade Talk
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
More News
