Key facts
- Peter Laviolette has been hired as the new head coach of the Los Angeles Kings.
- The team aims to shift from a defensive-focused style to a more offensive approach.
- General manager Ken Holland stated the goal is to increase scoring.
- Laviolette has a history of achieving immediate offensive output and playoff success with previous teams.
- Laviolette expressed a desire for an aggressive, attack-oriented game.
- The Kings' defensemen are expected to implement a unified plan for offensive contribution.
The Los Angeles Kings have appointed Peter Laviolette as their new head coach, signaling a deliberate shift away from the defensive-minded hockey that characterized their two Stanley Cup victories in 2012 and 2014. General manager Ken Holland confirmed the move on Wednesday, stating the intention is to increase the team's scoring output and improve their offensive style of play.
Laviolette, 61, brings a reputation for fostering immediate offensive success and achieving playoff results across previous coaching tenures with the New York Islanders, Carolina Hurricanes, Philadelphia Flyers, Nashville Predators, Washington Capitals, and New York Rangers. In his two seasons with the Rangers, the team ranked seventh and 12th in goals per game before his departure in April 2025. The Kings have struggled to maintain a top-12 scoring offense, achieving it only twice since 2012.
Laviolette emphasized his desire for an aggressive, attack-oriented approach, focusing on generating offense from rushes and transitions. This marks a departure from the perceived "stodgy hockey" that led to Jim Hiller's dismissal on March 1. Interim coach D.J. Smith managed to guide the Kings to the playoffs for the fifth consecutive season, though they were eliminated in the first round by the Colorado Avalanche.
Laviolette expressed enthusiasm for reuniting with forwards Artemi Panarin and Kevin Fiala, both of whom have previously played under him. Panarin achieved career-highs in goals and points with Laviolette's Rangers in the 2023-24 season. Holland also indicated that changes to the team's defensemen corps might be forthcoming, especially if trades can be executed, but Laviolette stated he would work to maximize the current group's offensive potential.
Hollad highlighted Laviolette's extensive resume, including three Stanley Cup Final appearances with different teams and a Calder Cup championship, as evidence of his ability to foster winning environments. The general manager believes Laviolette's impact on teams in his initial years has been significant, underscoring the difficulty of winning in the NHL.