Kings Bring in Peter Laviolette as New Head Coach Amid Coaching Changes

LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Kings have announced the appointment of Peter Laviolette as their new head coach, signaling potential changes within the coaching staff. Laviolette, who boasts a Stanley Cup victory and 24 years of experience in the NHL, is expected to help the Kings achieve playoff success after the team has faced first-round eliminations for five consecutive seasons.

With Laviolette at the helm, the Kings are optimistic about enhancing their playing style. His reputation as a coach known for implementing an aggressive forechecking strategy aligns well with the team's existing strengths. During his brief time as interim head coach, DJ Smith successfully improved the Kings’ defensive play, helping them secure a wild card playoff spot after initially being outside the playoff picture.

Laviolette’s coaching history indicates a knack for elevating teams' puck possession metrics. For example, the Philadelphia Flyers saw their Corsi For percentage rise from 47.65% to 50.93% under his leadership, while the Nashville Predators improved from 48.44% to 52.82%. Given that the Kings finished with a Corsi For percentage of 52.22%, they seem poised to benefit from Laviolette's aggressive style.

Despite a drop in points last season, the Kings have the potential to remain competitive, especially with a fast-paced, forecheck-centric approach. However, questions linger about how the team's offense will evolve. A crucial factor in this regard is the future of assistant coach Newell Brown, who has faced criticism for the power play's decline since his hiring in 2025.

Under Brown, the Kings’ power play fell from a respectable 22.6% to a mere 17%, ranking 28th in the league. His strategy of waiting for the perfect shot has not yielded the desired results, leading to speculation that he may not fit into Laviolette's vision for a more dynamic offense. Although no official decision has been made regarding Brown’s position, the arrival of a new head coach often leads to changes in the supporting staff, hinting that further coaching adjustments may be imminent for the Kings.