Los Angeles Kings appoint veteran coach Peter Laviolette

The Los Angeles Kings have appointed veteran NHL coach Peter Laviolette as their new head coach, replacing D.J. Smith, the team confirmed on Tuesday.

Laviolette, 61, takes charge of his seventh NHL franchise after previously coaching the New York Rangers, Carolina Hurricanes, Philadelphia Flyers, Nashville Predators, Washington Capitals and New York Islanders.

The experienced coach most recently led the Rangers for two seasons between 2023 and 2025. New York won the Presidents’ Trophy during the 2023-24 campaign after posting the league’s best regular season record, but the club missed the Stanley Cup Playoffs the following year, leading to his dismissal.

The Kings are looking for a fresh start after being swept by the Colorado Avalanche in the Western Conference First Round this season as they have been eliminated in the opening round in each of the past five seasons.

Laviolette won the Stanley Cup with the Carolina Hurricanes in 2006 and also guided the Flyers and Predators to Stanley Cup Finals appearances in 2010 and 2017.

He ranks seventh in NHL history for coaching wins with 846 victories and ninth in games coached with 1,594.

The appointment also reunites Laviolette with forward Artemi Panarin, who played under him with the Rangers before being traded to Los Angeles earlier this year.

D.J. Smith had served as interim coach after Jim Hiller was fired in March.