The Los Angeles Kings are hiring Peter Laviolette as head coach, reports Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman.
The Toronto Maple Leafs and Edmonton Oilers were also interested in Laviolette, reports Friedman.
Laviolette didn't work for an NHL team last season after the New York Rangers fired him following the 2024-25 campaign.
The 61-year-old guided the Rangers to a Presidents' Trophy and the Eastern Conference Final in 2023-24. New York plummeted down the standings the following season and missed the playoffs.
Los Angeles will be Laviolette's seventh team as a head coach. He's had stints with the New York Islanders, Carolina Hurricanes, Philadelphia Flyers, Nashville Predators, Washington Capitals, and Rangers since 2001. He won the Stanley Cup with Carolina in 2006.
D.J. Smith was the Kings' interim bench boss after Los Angeles fired Jim Hiller in March. Hiller had been the Kings' head coach since 2024.
Los Angeles was swept in the first round by the Colorado Avalanche. The Kings made the playoffs despite being tied for the second-fewest regulation wins this season.
