The Los Angeles Kings have made a significant move by hiring Peter Laviolette as their new head coach, transitioning away from D.J. Smith, who had been serving in the role on an interim basis since Jim Hiller was dismissed on March 1. Smith was in his second full season on the Kings’ coaching staff, but the organization is looking for a fresh start under Laviolette’s leadership.
Peter Laviolette’s Impressive Coaching Resume
Laviolette, 61, takes on his seventh NHL head-coaching position, boasting an impressive track record. He ranks seventh all-time in wins with 846 and ninth in games coached, totaling 1,594. His most recent stint was with the New York Rangers, where he led the team for two seasons from 2023 to 2025. During the 2023-24 season, the Rangers achieved a remarkable 55-23-4 record, earning the coveted Presidents’ Trophy before suffering a defeat to the Florida Panthers in the Eastern Conference Final. However, the following season proved challenging, as the Rangers missed the playoffs with a record of 39-36-7, leading to Laviolette’s dismissal.
This past season, the Kings finished with a record of 35-27-20, securing the second wild card in the Western Conference. Unfortunately, they were swept by the Colorado Avalanche in the first round of the playoffs, marking their first four-game series loss since facing the Vegas Golden Knights in 2018. Despite reaching the postseason for five consecutive years, the Kings have been eliminated in the opening round each time, highlighting the need for a change in direction.
Laviolette’s coaching journey began with the New York Islanders in 2001-02, where he spent two seasons before moving on to greater successes. He famously won the Stanley Cup with the Carolina Hurricanes in 2006, defeating the Edmonton Oilers in a thrilling seven-game series during his second of five seasons with the team. His coaching experience extends to the Philadelphia Flyers (2009-13), Nashville Predators (2014-20), and Washington Capitals (2020-23).
Throughout his career, Laviolette has led teams to significant playoff success, including guiding the Flyers to the 2010 Stanley Cup Final, where they fell to the Chicago Blackhawks in six games, and leading the Predators to the 2017 Final, where they lost to the Pittsburgh Penguins. His overall coaching record stands at an impressive 846 wins, 562 losses, and 161 ties in the regular season, along with an 88-82 performance in 170 playoff games.
Notably, Laviolette is among a select group of coaches, including Scotty Bowman, Dick Irvin, and Mike Keenan, who have reached the Stanley Cup Final with three different franchises. He is also one of the few coaches to have won five consecutive Game 7s in playoff history, showcasing his ability to perform under pressure.
As he takes on this new role in Los Angeles, Laviolette will be reunited with forward Artemi Panarin, who played for him during his time with the Rangers and was recently acquired by the Kings on February 4. With Laviolette at the helm, the Kings are hoping to turn their fortunes around and make a deeper playoff run in the coming seasons.