Kings Land Peter Laviolette in Coaching Shake-Up, Thwart Maple Leafs' Plans

The Los Angeles Kings have officially hired Peter Laviolette as their new head coach on a three-year contract, snatching the veteran bench boss from under the nose of the Toronto Maple Leafs. Laviolette was reportedly close to accepting the Leafs’ offer before the Kings made a late push to secure his services over the weekend.

According to Sportsnet’s Nick Kypreos, Laviolette was expected to be introduced as Toronto’s new head coach as early as Monday. “I was told on Friday that Laviolette was going to be the next coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs,” Kypreos said. “He was spotted in town, and I would imagine that L.A. did some fast talking on Saturday or Sunday.”

Laviolette, 61, had emerged as a top candidate for several coaching vacancies this offseason. He had previously hinted at his interest in the Maple Leafs job, appearing on their radio show in May and comparing the opportunity to coaching the Dallas Cowboys or New York Yankees.

Despite the Leafs’ strong pursuit, the Kings ultimately landed Laviolette, marking a significant shift for both teams. Laviolette brings with him an impressive coaching resume: 846 career wins, a Stanley Cup title with the Carolina Hurricanes in 2006, and three Stanley Cup Final appearances across six franchises. His arrival in Los Angeles comes after the team fired Jim Hiller in March and saw interim coach D.J. Smith lead them to the playoffs before a first-round sweep by the Colorado Avalanche.

For the Kings, this move represents a bold attempt to stabilize a franchise that has seen frequent coaching changes in recent years. Laviolette is expected to bring a measured, veteran approach that could help the Kings build from their 2025 playoff run.

Meanwhile, the Maple Leafs face a setback in their coaching search. General Manager John Chayka had reportedly spoken with over 50 candidates and narrowed the list to about 20. TSN’s Pierre LeBrun reports the team is now in the in-person interview phase with five remaining candidates under serious consideration. Joe Pavelski is among the names being discussed, though the Leafs are said to favor a candidate with more established coaching experience.

The Leafs now must move quickly to finalize their coaching decision with the summer season fast approaching. The Kings, meanwhile, have set a new direction under Laviolette, who will be tasked with steering a team that has high expectations but a history of inconsistency.