Lane Lambert joins the Kraken after serving as the Toronto Maple Leafs’ associate coach in 2024. He previously served as head coach of the New York Islanders from 2022 to 2024, compiling a 61-46-20 record and leading the team to the Stanley Cup Playoffs in 2023. Before becoming head coach, Lambert was the Islanders’ associate coach from 2018 to 2022. From 2014 to 2018, he was an assistant coach with the Washington Capitals. During that span, the team won the Presidents’ Trophy for the best overall record twice in a row (2015-16 & 2016-17) and won the Stanley Cup in 2018. Prior to joining the Capitals, Lambert was an assistant coach with the Nashville Predators from 2011 to 2014. Lambert has been behind the bench for 21 playoff series, and his teams have advanced to the second round of the NHL playoffs or better eight times. In 14 seasons as a coach in the NHL, Lambert’s teams have made the playoffs 10 times. From 2007 to 2011, Lambert served as head coach for AHL Milwaukee and previously coached in the WHL with the Prince George’s Cougars and Moose Jaw Warriors.
Prior to coaching, Lambert played 283 career games with the Detroit Red Wings (which drafted him 25th overall), the New York Rangers and the Quebec Nordiques. He won an AHL Calder Cup with the Adirondack Red Wings in 1986 and helped the Houston Aeros win the IHL’s Turner Cup Championship in 1999.
Lambert comes to Seattle knowing a few familiar faces. He previously coached Kraken captain Jordan Eberle, Chandler Stephenson, and Philipp Grubauer and was on the Capitals staff with video coach Tim Ohashi.