Peter Laviolette is being hired as coach of the Los Angeles Kings, according to multiple reports. The move brings a veteran presence and Stanley Cup winner behind the bench.
He will replace D.J. Smith, the interim coach after Jim Hiller was fired last season.
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Laviolette, 61, has coached nearly 1,600 regular-season games with six NHL teams, most recently the New York Rangers from 2023-25. He led the Rangers to the Presidents’ Trophy and the Eastern Conference finals in his first season there but was fired in 2025 after they finished out of the playoffs.
He won the Stanley Cup with the Carolina Hurricanes in 2006 and has also coached the New York Islanders, Philadelphia Flyers, Nashville Predators and Washington Capitals. He has a career .589 points percentage.
More: Anze Kopitar bids farewell to legendary career after LA Kings loss
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Golden Knights and Hurricanes skate for 2026 Stanley Cup glory
Carolina Hurricanes center Jordan Staal (11) and Vegas Golden Knights center Jack Eichel (9) faceoff during the first period in game one of the 2026 Stanley Cup Final at Lenovo Center in Raleigh on June 2, 2026.
(Nathan Ray Seebeck, Imagn Images)
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Golden Knights and Hurricanes skate for 2026 Stanley Cup glory
Carolina Hurricanes center Jordan Staal (11) and Vegas Golden Knights center Jack Eichel (9) faceoff during the first period in game one of the 2026 Stanley Cup Final at Lenovo Center in Raleigh on June 2, 2026.
(Nathan Ray Seebeck, Imagn Images)
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Golden Knights and Hurricanes skate for 2026 Stanley Cup glory
Carolina Hurricanes left wing Nikolaj Ehlers (27) celebrates scoring during the first period against the Vegas Golden Knights in game one of the 2026 Stanley Cup Final at Lenovo Center in Raleigh on June 2, 2026.
(Nathan Ray Seebeck, Imagn Images)
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Golden Knights and Hurricanes skate for 2026 Stanley Cup glory
Overview of the stadium prior to the game between the Carolina Hurricanes and the Vegas Golden Knights Carolina Hurricanes and Vegas Golden Knights in game one of the 2026 Stanley Cup Final at Lenovo Center in Raleigh on June 2, 2026.
(Nathan Ray Seebeck, Imagn Images)
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Golden Knights and Hurricanes skate for 2026 Stanley Cup glory
General view of towels for fans on the seats prior to the game between the Carolina Hurricanes and the Vegas Golden Knights in game one of the 2026 Stanley Cup Final at Lenovo Center in Raleigh on June 2, 2026.
(Nathan Ray Seebeck, Imagn Images)
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Golden Knights and Hurricanes skate for 2026 Stanley Cup glory
Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Carter Hart (79) stands in the hallway prior to entering the ice for warm up against the Carolina Hurricanes in game one of the 2026 Stanley Cup Final at Lenovo Center in Raleigh on June 2, 2026.
(James Guillory, Imagn Images)
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Golden Knights and Hurricanes skate for 2026 Stanley Cup glory
Carolina Hurricanes right wing Seth Jarvis (24) warms up before a game against the Vegas Golden Knights in game one of the 2026 Stanley Cup Final at Lenovo Center in Raleigh on June 2, 2026.
(James Guillory, Imagn Images)
Laviolette will be reunited with forward Artemi Panarin, who was traded from the Rangers to the Kings last season.
The Kings are in transition next season after the retirement of captain Anze Kopitar.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Kings hiring Peter Laviolette as next coach