Kings set to announce Laviolette as coach — The Fourth Period
The Los Angeles Kings are close to announcing who their new head coach will be, according to TFP’s David Pagnotta.
Pagnotta reported earlier today that D.J. Smith, the club’s interim head coach, is no longer in the running for the full-time gig. According to sources, Smith was informed this morning that he was not getting the job.
Jay Woodcroft and Peter Laviolette are considered the frontrunners for the position, though Pagnotta reports Laviolette will be L.A.’s new bench boss.
Laviolette, 61, last coached the New York Rangers for two seasons in 2023-2025.
More details to follow…
[UPDATE: 2:23PM ET — Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman has reported that the Kings have hired Laviolette as their new head coach.]
