The Los Angeles Kings are turning to Peter Laviolette to revive their offense and change their recent playoff fortunes. Introduced in El Segundo one day after being hired to replace interim coach D.J. Smith, Laviolette outlined a plan built on attacking hockey and constant movement, while stressing that it will be organized and responsible.
Addressing Offensive Struggles
Los Angeles struggled to score this season, finishing 29th in the NHL at 2.68 goals per game. The team’s offense improved over the final 23 games after Smith took over when Jim Hiller was fired on March 1, but the Kings managed only five goals — just two at even strength — in a four-game sweep by the Colorado Avalanche in the first round.
Laviolette arrives with a long record of producing offense and delivering early results. He previously coached the New York Islanders, Carolina Hurricanes, Philadelphia Flyers, Nashville Predators, Washington Capitals, and New York Rangers. In his first year with the Rangers, the team won the Presidents’ Trophy and ranked seventh in goals per game at 3.39, with Artemi Panarin setting personal bests in points, goals, and assists. New York was 12th in scoring at 3.11 goals per game the following season, after which Laviolette was dismissed when the club missed the playoffs.
Panarin, traded to the Kings on February 4 and entering the first season of a two-year contract, is a key piece in Laviolette’s plans. He joins established wingers Adrian Kempe and Kevin Fiala on a roster that now lacks center depth following the retirement of Anze Kopitar. The defense also contributed limited offense this past season. Brandt Clarke led Los Angeles defensemen with eight goals and 32 assists, and Drew Doughty had five goals and 18 assists; they were the only Kings defenders to reach five goals. Clarke, a pending restricted free agent, was the lone Los Angeles defenseman to top 25 points. The group also includes Joel Edmundson (two goals, 21 assists), Mikey Anderson (four goals, 16 assists), Brian Dumoulin (two goals, 15 assists), and Cody Ceci (one goal, eight assists). Laviolette plans to involve all six defensemen more actively in transition and attacking sequences, regardless of their reputations as defensive specialists.
The Kings are seeking an end to five straight first-round exits and have not won a playoff series in seven attempts since their 2014 Stanley Cup title. General manager Ken Holland cited Laviolette’s postseason résumé in making the hire. The Hurricanes won the Cup in his second season in 2006, the Flyers reached the Final in his first season in 2010, and the Predators reached the Final in his second season in 2017. He also has a Calder Cup title at the AHL level, reinforcing his history of winning quickly with new teams.
Holland said Laviolette will select his own coaching staff. Smith, who went 11-6-6 as interim coach and had term remaining on his contract after joining the Kings as an assistant on February 5, 2024, will not be part of the new staff and has decided to move on. With Laviolette at the helm, the Kings hope to finally break their playoff curse and return to championship contention.