The Toronto Maple Leafs and Edmonton Oilers are still searching for a new head coach, and Peter Laviolette is no longer part of that market. According to NHL insider Elliotte Friedman, Laviolette has agreed to become the next head coach of the Los Angeles Kings, leaving both Canadian teams to keep looking.
That move matters because it removes one of the most experienced names from the coaching board. The Maple Leafs remain in the middle of a wide-ranging search to replace Craig Berube, while the Oilers continue their own hunt after dismissing Kris Knoblauch.
A veteran coach is off the board
Laviolette was not behind an NHL bench in 2025-26, but he is set to return next season with the Kings. The 61-year-old most recently spent two seasons with the New York Rangers, and his resume gave him a strong place among available coaching options.
He has coached 1,594 games across the Rangers, Predators, Hurricanes, Flyers, Capitals and Islanders. His career record stands at 846 wins, 562 losses, 25 ties and 161 overtime losses.
Why his hiring affects Toronto and Edmonton
For the Maple Leafs and Oilers, the news means one less proven candidate to consider. Both teams are under pressure to make the right call, and Laviolette’s experience would have made him an obvious fit for organizations seeking a coach with a long track record.
Toronto’s search has already been described as unusually large in scope, while Edmonton still needs to settle on its next direction. With Laviolette headed to Los Angeles, both clubs must now focus on other available options.
What Laviolette brings to Los Angeles
Laviolette arrives in Los Angeles after a career that includes major postseason success. He guided the Hurricanes to the Stanley Cup in 2005-06 and also reached conference finals with the Flyers in 2009-10 and the Predators in 2016-17.
His new role comes as the Kings enter a different phase following the retirement of Anze Kopitar. That gives Laviolette a fresh challenge in a new setting, and it also narrows the coaching pool for teams still searching in Toronto and Edmonton.
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