Reports – Kings Interview Peter Laviolette (LeBrun) & Woodcroft (Seravalli) + Other Notables

Sharing a report from yesterday, from Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic and TSN.

Three things here that I think are relevant from what LeBrun discussed, linked HERE.

– The Kings are one of multiple teams to speak with Peter Laviolette in their interview process for a new Head Coach.
– The Kings are still interested in talking with Bruce Cassidy but are still awaiting permission from the Vegas Golden Knights.
– Should he become available, the Kings were a team LeBrun felt made sense as an option for New Jersey center Nico Hischier, should he not re-sign with the Devils.

Starting with Laviolette, this one makes sense. It also ties in, with details LeBrun provided, regarding what Ken Holland said last week when we spoke. He said that many of the best coaches in the world are under contract with other clubs and I think that spans a lot deeper than you would think at surface level. Laviolette did not coach during the 2025-26 season, after parting ways with the New York Rangers in 2025, however his contract is still value, through June 2026. He was one I had in mind with that talking point. Therefore, even with a coach who was relieved of his duties over 12 months ago, there is still a permission needed in this instance.

Laviolette makes sense for a few reasons. First and foremost, in 2024, Laviolette led the New York Rangers to the Eastern Conference Finals, within two games of a Stanley Cup appearance. The best player on that team was forward Artemi Panarin, who had the best statistical season of his NHL career, as he set career highs in goals (49) and points (120). So, putting two and two together, if there’s a good match between Panarin and Laviolette, he makes a ton of sense to interview. Laviolette hasn’t won a championship since 2006 but did reach the Stanley Cup Final in 2017 with Nashville. He won multiple playoff series’ in Philadelphia on multiple occasions and has mild success in Washington. He’s certainly been around the block and he’s had ups and downs along the way. In New York, his first season was extremely successful, landing two games from winning the Eastern Conference. His second season saw the Rangers miss the playoffs entirely. Not sure how much of either outcome falls on him but he’s an experienced candidate who has been interviewed, per LeBrun, by multiple teams. That the Kings are one of them speaks to the process they are undergoing, which is more thorough than perhaps we’ve seen in the past.

With Cassidy, it’s more of the same here. I saw an interesting theory proposed by Shayna Goldman of The Athletic, with regards to Vegas witholding permission there. Vegas does not have a coach under contract for next season either, with John Tortorella on a short-term deal right now. With the Golden Knights still playing, it would stand to reason that arrangement might continue. However, with Vegas potentially in the market for a coach themselves, why give teams like Edmonton and Los Angeles a head start on their process? Just a theory. Ultimately, what Vegas is doing is tough for Cassidy, who has publicly stated he wants to coach this season, but within the rules in place, it is their right to do so. As Holland said, it’s something he’s been through before, on both sides, and he’s respecting the process in place. Doesn’t seem to be much in terms of movement on that front.

Lastly, on Hischier, it’s pure speculation from LeBrun. Hischier is under contract with New Jersey through next season, a top-six center who has one season remaining on his current contract, with a new General Manager in place for the Devils. Often times, at this point in the summer, there is speculation for days on the free agent class 12 months out. It was certainly the case last summer, however as we actually approach unrestricted free agency on July 1, only Alex Tuch in Buffalo remains at the top end of what could have been a very talented class. There are good players available, but they are likely not what the Kings need, towards the top of the lineup, especially at center. The Kings were one of three teams specifically mentioned, along with Montreal and Minnesota, but should a legitimate center become available, there would be several teams interested in acquiring that player. Los Angeles would certainly be one of those teams. If a legitimate center was on the table, the Kings would be as competitive as they could be in that market, but just speculation at this point.

Additionally, the Kings have been reported to have interviewed former Edmonton Head Coach Jay Woodcroft and current Anaheim Assistant Coach Jay Woodcroft last week, per Frank Seravalli.

#Leafs coaching search update, per sources:
– #FlyTogether Jay Woodcroft scheduled to interview this week. Interviewed with #LAKings last week. Handicapped as “one of the front runners” for the Toronto job. Either spot, solid bet to be an NHL HC again next season.
– Wide swath of…

— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) May 27, 2026

Woodcroft has a history with Ken Holland. In 2022, when Holland was the General Manager in Edmonton, he promoted Woodcroft from the AHL’s Bakersfield Condors to replace Dave Tippett behind the bench with the NHL club. Woodcroft coached the Oilers into the conference finals in 2022 and the second round in 2023, defeating the Kings in Round 1 in both seasons, in seven and six games respectively. Holland also relieved Woodcroft of his duties just 13 games into the 2023-24 season, after the Oilers started the season with just three wins in that span. Woodcroft was out of coaching for around a season and a half, before he joined Joel Quenneville’s staff in Anaheim this past season. Among NHL head coaches with at least 100 games behind the bench, Woodcroft’s .643 winning percentage is the fifth best in NHL history.

So that’s that.

I am traveling this week, Insiders, but will post coverage as it comes. Not sure there’s a ton more to share at this time and I think the coaching search is more likely to play out in early-June than late-May. Out of respect for my not being there, obviously. In reality, that’t the timeline that Holland laid out in our conversation last week. The Kings want someone in place as soon as they can, but they aren’t rushing into anything either. Due diligence is important and it appears as if the Kings are doing theirs, as they should be and frankly, need to be. See where things go.