What Can Kings Fans Expect From Peter Laviolette? – Hockey Writers – Los Angeles Kings

On June 9, the Los Angeles Kings made an interesting decision by hiring former New York Rangers coach Peter Laviolette as their new coach. With a reputation built over two decades behind NHL benches, few coaches can match his resume. The hiring of Laviolette represents a major statement for the Kings organization that believes it has the skills needed to compete in the championship but needs leadership to lead it.

Arrival in Los Angeles

The coaching change comes after a disappointing season for the Kings who were defeated by the Colorado Avalanche in the first round. Despite their roster full of aging veterans and up-and-coming young talent, Los Angeles has struggled over the past five seasons. The organization parted ways with Jim Hiller for the 2025-26 season and temporarily promoted DJ Smith. A Stanley Cup champion with the Carolina Hurricanes in 2006, Laviolette also took the Philadelphia Flyers and Nashville Predators to the Stanley Cup Finals, guiding his teams to the playoffs. General manager Ken Holland chose a coach with a proven track record of turning teams into champions.

Holland acknowledged Laviolette’s talent and value to the organization, saying “when you look at his resume, every team he’s had and the impact he’s had on those teams, the first few years, right off the bat. Pro hockey is tough to beat and you’re very successful.”

What makes Laviolette attractive to the Kings is his ability to deliver results quickly. Throughout his NHL career, he has been improving teams shortly after arriving. Whether it was the Carolina Hurricanes, Flyers, Predators, Washington Capitals, or the New York Rangers, Laviolette has shown the ability to quickly establish a structure and a winning culture.

Strategy Must Be Local

His recent stint with the New York Rangers provided another example. In his first season with the Rangers, Laviolette led the club to one of the league’s best records and an appearance in the Eastern Conference Finals. Although his tenure ended after a disappointing follow-up season, his ability to lift teams remains one of his key attributes. For Kings, that experience can be invaluable. Despite having a strong roster, the organization still has to decide how to get the most out of its roster and turn regular season success into deep playoff runs.

Laviolette’s coaching style often emphasizes discipline, accountability, and organized team play. His teams are known to be organized and difficult to play against, traits that should suit the Kings well. At the same time, he has shown a willingness to adapt his plans to the strengths of his roster.

Tearing Down Laviolette’s Hiring

Laviolette enters Los Angeles as the winningest American coach in NHL history and ranks among the most successful coaches the league has ever seen. The players understand what he has achieved and what he expects from his teams. That loyalty can be a powerful asset in a locker room looking for a new direction. However, he will be expecting a lot from stepping behind the Kings bench. Hires like this aren’t made with slow rebuilding in mind: It’s about speeding up the race and delivering meaningful results by deadline.

Will This Pay Off?

The one question on the minds of all fans and analysts is, will this latest hire pay off? That will be answered later as the 2026-27 regular season begins in October. The Kings know that they must improve if they hope to get into that group. Laviolette’s arrival doesn’t guarantee success, but it gives the organization a coach who has repeatedly shown the ability to handle the pressures and challenges of winning in the NHL.

The franchise invested in a coach whose career has been defined by wins, playoff appearances, and championship dreams. With Laviolette behind the bench, Los Angeles is betting that one of the most successful coaches in hockey can bring the success the organization has been looking for.