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Los Angeles Kings Hire Peter Laviolette to Revamp Playoff Strategy
The Los Angeles Kings announced on Tuesday that former New York Rangers head coach Peter Laviolette will take over as the franchise’s permanent head coach, replacing interim coach D.J. Smith. The decision signals a deliberate shift away from the defensive‑heavy style that helped the Kings win Stanley Cups in 2012 and 2014 but has not produced a playoff series win since.
According to the Associated Press, the Kings’ move marks a break from the “too often defensive‑focused hockey” that defined the team’s recent history. The franchise has qualified for the playoffs in each of the last five seasons (2022‑23 through 2025‑26) but has been eliminated in the first round every time. Laviolette’s hiring is intended to address that shortfall and to bring a new approach to the team’s on‑ice strategy.
Laviolette brings a broad coaching résumé. He has led six NHL teams, including the New York Islanders, Carolina Hurricanes, Philadelphia Flyers, Nashville Predators, Washington Capitals, and the Rangers. He guided the Hurricanes to a Stanley Cup in 2006, took the Flyers to the 2010 final, and guided the Predators to the 2017 final. As of March 2024, Laviolette had recorded 800 regular‑season wins, making him the eighth coach in NHL history to reach that milestone. He also became the winningest American‑born head coach when he surpassed John Tortorella’s record in October 2021.
The Kings’ recent playoff record underscores the urgency of the coaching change. After the 2014 Cup, the team has struggled to advance beyond the opening round. The franchise’s most recent playoff appearances were in 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025, all ending in first‑round exits. The Kings’ front office cited the need for a fresh perspective to translate regular‑season success into postseason victories.
Laviolette’s hiring follows his dismissal from the Rangers after two seasons. The Rangers had a strong first season under him, posting 55 wins and 114 points, but the team failed to meet expectations in the following year. The Kings’ organization believes Laviolette’s experience in navigating playoff pressure and his track record of leading multiple teams to deep postseason runs will benefit Los Angeles.
The appointment also reflects a broader trend in the NHL, where teams are increasingly willing to bring in seasoned coaches with proven playoff experience to address persistent shortcomings. Laviolette’s arrival will be the Kings’ seventh head‑coach change in the past decade, a period that has seen the franchise transition from the defensive focus of former coach Darryl Sutter to a more balanced approach.
The Kings will begin the 2026‑27 season with Laviolette at the helm. The organization has not yet announced a detailed coaching philosophy, but the front office has indicated that the new coach will be given the authority to shape the team’s playing style and roster moves. Fans and analysts will be watching closely to see whether Laviolette can restore the Kings’ playoff competitiveness and build on the franchise’s championship legacy.
In summary, the Los Angeles Kings’ hiring of Peter Laviolette represents a strategic effort to change the team’s playoff fortunes. With a coach who has led three different franchises to the Stanley Cup final and a record of 800 regular‑season wins, Laviolette is expected to bring a new perspective to a franchise that has struggled to translate regular‑season success into postseason victories.
According to the Associated Press, the Kings’ move marks a break from the “too often defensive‑focused hockey” that defined the team’s recent history. The franchise has qualified for the playoffs in each of the last five seasons (2022‑23 through 2025‑26) but has been eliminated in the first round every time. Laviolette’s hiring is intended to address that shortfall and to bring a new approach to the team’s on‑ice strategy.
Laviolette brings a broad coaching résumé. He has led six NHL teams, including the New York Islanders, Carolina Hurricanes, Philadelphia Flyers, Nashville Predators, Washington Capitals, and the Rangers. He guided the Hurricanes to a Stanley Cup in 2006, took the Flyers to the 2010 final, and guided the Predators to the 2017 final. As of March 2024, Laviolette had recorded 800 regular‑season wins, making him the eighth coach in NHL history to reach that milestone. He also became the winningest American‑born head coach when he surpassed John Tortorella’s record in October 2021.
The Kings’ recent playoff record underscores the urgency of the coaching change. After the 2014 Cup, the team has struggled to advance beyond the opening round. The franchise’s most recent playoff appearances were in 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025, all ending in first‑round exits. The Kings’ front office cited the need for a fresh perspective to translate regular‑season success into postseason victories.
Laviolette’s hiring follows his dismissal from the Rangers after two seasons. The Rangers had a strong first season under him, posting 55 wins and 114 points, but the team failed to meet expectations in the following year. The Kings’ organization believes Laviolette’s experience in navigating playoff pressure and his track record of leading multiple teams to deep postseason runs will benefit Los Angeles.
The appointment also reflects a broader trend in the NHL, where teams are increasingly willing to bring in seasoned coaches with proven playoff experience to address persistent shortcomings. Laviolette’s arrival will be the Kings’ seventh head‑coach change in the past decade, a period that has seen the franchise transition from the defensive focus of former coach Darryl Sutter to a more balanced approach.
The Kings will begin the 2026‑27 season with Laviolette at the helm. The organization has not yet announced a detailed coaching philosophy, but the front office has indicated that the new coach will be given the authority to shape the team’s playing style and roster moves. Fans and analysts will be watching closely to see whether Laviolette can restore the Kings’ playoff competitiveness and build on the franchise’s championship legacy.
In summary, the Los Angeles Kings’ hiring of Peter Laviolette represents a strategic effort to change the team’s playoff fortunes. With a coach who has led three different franchises to the Stanley Cup final and a record of 800 regular‑season wins, Laviolette is expected to bring a new perspective to a franchise that has struggled to translate regular‑season success into postseason victories.
