The Los Angeles Kings have hired Peter Laviolette as their new head coach, replacing interim D.J. Smith. Laviolette brings 23 NHL seasons and 846 career wins, seventh all-time. He won a Stanley Cup with Carolina in 2006 but has never repeated that success, reaching the Final twice with Flyers and Predators.

Laviolette's coaching pattern shows quick success followed by decline. His teams typically peak after 2-3 seasons before falling off. That concerns a franchise that has suffered first-round playoff exits in five straight seasons. His most recent stints in Washington and New York ended with subpar results after strong initial performances.

The Kings hope Laviolette can unlock their offensive potential. Los Angeles has been defensively strong but offensively limited for years. Laviolette's teams have ranked top 10 in offense 11 times, a stark contrast to the Kings' recent struggles. With players like Artemi Panarin already on the roster, the focus shifts to developing young talents like Quinton Byfield.