The Los Angeles Kings are turning to one of the most experienced voices in hockey to guide their franchise. On Monday, it was reported that the Kings will hire Peter Laviolette as their new head coach.
Sources say #LAKings are negotiating a deal that would make Peter Laviolette their next head coach.
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) June 8, 2026
There has been competition - #Oilers and #Leafs both interviewed Laviolette and he was expected to be a finalist for both positions.
The hiring brings an immense level of pedigree to Southern California. The Kings will mark the seventh NHL organization Laviolette has led, following stints with the New York Islanders, Carolina Hurricanes, Philadelphia Flyers, Nashville Predators, Washington Capitals, and New York Rangers.
Laviolette, 61, enters Los Angeles sitting ninth on the NHL’s all-time list for games coached (1,594) and seventh in career wins (846). He is one of only four head coaches in league history to lead three different franchises to the Stanley Cup Final (Carolina, Philadelphia, and Nashville), famously capturing his championship with the Hurricanes in 2006.
Laviolette has been out of work since he was let go by the New York Rangers following the 2024-25 season. That year saw the Rangers plummet from a Presidents’ Trophy-winning team toward the bottom of the Eastern Conference.
Laviolette is taking over for D.J Smith, who took over the head coaching duties in L.A. following Jim Hiller’s dismissal in early March.