Report: Kings hire Pete Laviolette as next head coach

A familiar name is heading to Hollywood.

According to multiple reports, the Los Angeles Kings are finalizing a deal to hire Peter Laviolette as the 32nd head coach in franchise history.

Laviolette was reportedly receiving interest from the Edmonton Oilers and Toronto Maple Leafs, both of whom are seeking new coaches this offseason. The Oilers are also looking to interview former Vegas Golden Knights head coach Bruce Cassidy, while the Maple Leafs have recently received permission to chat with former New York Islanders bench boss Patrick Roy.

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, seemingly sending the Original Six franchise into a rebuild. In just two seasons with the Blueshirts, Laviolette guided the team to a record of 94-59-11 record and a berth in the Eastern Conference Final in 2024.

While Laviolette might be one of the seasoned coaches in the NHL, re-entering the league at age 61, he brings immense experience. In 23 years as a head coach, he has taken two teams to the Stanley Cup Final – the Carolina Hurricanes (2006) and Nashville Predators (2017) – the former of which saw Laviolette lead his team to Lord Stanley. He ranks seventh all-time in wins (846) by a head coach, just three back of Ken Hitchcock for sixth, making him the winningest American coach in NHL history.

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. Smith was able to help the Kings reach the playoffs for the fifth year in a row, though the team was ultimately swept in the first round, again, this time at the hands of the Colorado Avalanche.