The Los Angeles Kings have hired Peter Laviolette as their new head coach, marking a strategic shift towards an offensively minded approach. General manager Ken Holland emphasized the need to increase scoring, indicating that both personnel changes and a new style of play will be crucial. Laviolette, known for enhancing offensive production in previous roles, aims to return the Kings to playoff success after years of stagnation. His aggressive tactics will focus on improving scoring both in transition and off the rush, addressing a long-standing issue that contributed to the team's lack of playoff victories since 2014.

By the Numbers
  • The Kings ranked 29th in scoring last season with just 23 goals and 110 assists from their defensemen combined.
  • Under Laviolette's coaching, the New York Rangers finished 7th and 12th in goals per game during his two seasons.
State of Play
  • Laviolette's immediate goal is to revamp an offense that has struggled for years, contributing to only two top-12 scoring finishes since 2012.
  • The team is exploring changes to its defensive roster following discussions at the scouting combine.
What's Next

As Laviolette seeks to implement his aggressive offensive strategy, potential trades or changes to the Kings' defense could be imminent. Should he succeed in fostering more consistent scoring, the Kings could make a deeper playoff run in the near future.

Bottom Line

The Kings' hiring of Peter Laviolette signals a pivotal moment aimed at revitalizing their offensive play, with expectations for a swift turnaround that could lead to significant postseason success.