Lane Lambert’s first stint as an NHL head coach didn’t last long, despite some success and a winning record.
Now, the former Detroit Red Wings forward is getting a second opportunity after being hired by the Seattle Kraken.
General manager Jason Botterill, who took over a month ago, said he conducted an extensive search after parting ways with Dan Bylsma, the Grand Haven native and former Red Wings assistant.
“What impressed us throughout the interview process was Lane’s strategy and vision for this team,” Botterill said in a statement. “He was an integral part of the Capitals winning the Cup and the Islanders advancing to two straight Eastern Conference finals.”
Lambert replaced Barry Trotz as Islanders coach in 2022-23 and led the team to the playoffs, where it lost to Carolina in the first round. He was fired midway through his second season, replaced by Patrick Roy, despite a 19-15-11 record. His overall record with the Islanders was 61-46-20.
Lambert spent last season as Toronto’s associate coach. He served as an assistant or associate coach for 11 seasons with Nashville, Washington and the Islanders before getting his first head-coaching job.
The Red Wings drafted Lambert in the second round (25th overall) in 1983, the year they drafted Steve Yzerman fourth overall.
Yzerman and Lambert were roommates as rookies, when Lambert scored what would be a career-high 20 goals and tallied 35 points. He spent 2½ seasons with the Red Wings before being traded to the New York Rangers.