Blue Jackets Sign James Malatesta To One-Year Extension
The Columbus Blue Jackets have signed AHL forward James Malatesta to a one-year, two-way extension. The deal will carry an $850K salary in the NHL and $95K salary in the minors per PuckPedia.
Once a highly acclaimed prospect, Malatesta has struggled to adapt his flashy offense to the pro flight. He scored just 10 goals and 18 points in 57 games with the Cleveland Monsters this season. It was Malatesta’s first pro season without a taste of NHL minutes. He played in 13 games with the Blue Jackets over the prior two seasons and scored four points.
Instead of his scoring, it has been Malatesta’s grit that has shined at the pro level. He led the Monsters with 87 penalty minutes this season. In fact, he confidently holds the lead for most PIMs with Cleveland over the last three seasons, racking up 215 in 154 games with the club – more than 50 minutes ahead of Roman Ahcan in second-place.
The 5-foot-9, 190-pound winger could still offer upside with his puck skills. He scored 142 points in 155 games with the QMJHL’s Quebec Remparts from 2020 to 2023. That mark remains third-most among any Rempart since 2020, behind Malatesta’s usual batterymates Theo Rochette and Zachary Bolduc. A new, one-year deal will offer Malatesta another chance to find his spark while operating from a bruising role in Cleveland’s middle-six.
Updates on Hischier, Gritsyuk From Devils GM Sunny Metha
According to Devils General Manager Sunny Metha, the Devils should feel encouraged about two key players regarding their futures in New Jersey.
Metha, at a season ticket holder Q&A event, was asked for an update on the status of both Nico Hischier and Arseny Gritsyuk and where their extensions were at between both the team and player camps. He established that he is ‘pretty encouraged by developments on both those fronts.’
First off, Hischier, as previously understood by Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic, was in the right direction regarding the extension of the Devils’ former No. 1 overall pick from the 2017 NHL Draft. While he was competing in and for his home country of Switzerland at the 2026 IIHF World Championships, his agent, Allain Roy, made a pit stop to meet with the Devils’ new general manager about Hischier and his future in red and black.
Metha, who had been with New Jersey as their Director of Analytics when the Devils drafted Hischier, revealed he’s spoken with his agent and Hischier himself multiple times in his short tenure as GM since LeBrun’s rumblings. The 27-year-old has a year left on his current contract, which was a seven-year deal signed back in 2020-21, and will ultimately add up to $50.75MM ($7.25MM AAV) in earnings at the end of this upcoming season. He finished last year scoring 28 goals for 66 points in his first 82-game season since his rookie campaign in 2017. Playing 400 games total on this particular contract, he’s amassed 353 points and has seen two playoff runs in 2023 and 2025, adding 11 points in 17 postseason games.
On the subject of Gritsyuk, from a report by James Nichols of New Jersey Hockey Now, both sides are progressing towards a multi-year extension, which, in the case of the rookie, is what his camp prefers.
The 25-year-old Russian finished his first NHL season, giving New Jersey the depth scoring it needed. His 13 goals for 31 points in 66 games nearly produced a half a point per game pace. He was first on the entire 2025-26 Devils roster in cost-per-point, averaging $30K for every tally on the scoresheet, and ended up fourth on the team in relative expected goals for%.
Gritsyuk ideally wants more than two years on his second NHL contract, which comes quickly after his first North American deal as a one-year, entry-level contract paying $925K. The Devils’ forward group has an intriguing future outlook, with mainstay players like Timo Meier, Jack Hughes, and Jesper Bratt all inked to long-term deals through 2031. However, Hischier is a part of six out of the remaining eight forward contracts listed that all end in 2027-28 (aside from Connor Brown, whose $3MM cap hit goes until 2030, and Lenni Hameenaho, a 21-year-old, who has two years on his entry-level contract at $972.5K a season).
If Metha’s encouragement leads to multi-year extensions for both Hischier and Gritsyuk, it would be a huge step forward for the new GM as he enters his first offseason behind the wheel in New Jersey. The Devils hold around $10.9M in cap space this offseason and have around $46MM in cap space to work with on the average salary of Hischier’s new contract, which would kick in next summer before he becomes an unrestricted free agent.
Photo Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Afternoon Notes: Tuch, Andersson, Kraken Hires
According to Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic, Alex Tuch appears more likely to be heading to the open market.
The 30-year-old winger ended his 2025-26 season scoring 33 goals for 66 points in 79 games played with the Buffalo Sabres. In the final season of his current contract, fifth in Buffalo, the Syracuse, NY native added seven points in 13 playoff games to cap off his seven-year, $33.25MM ($4.75MM AAV) contract. Back at the Sabres breakup day, Tuch said he had an interest in returning to Buffalo, and general manager Jarmo Kekäläinen expressed that he wants him back in exit interviews. Contract talks were put on hold during the playoffs, but it appears as though things aren’t promising for a reunion.
LeBrun referenced two recent eight-year extensions in comparison to this situation with Nick Schmaltz‘s $64MM ($8MM AAV) deal with the Utah Mammoth, which will end when he turns 38, and the $85MM ($10.625MM AAV) deal with Adrian Kempe staying in Los Angeles till he is 37. He thinks the Sabres GM doesn’t see Tuch as a double-digit valued player.
Additional notes:
- Shayna Goldman of The Athletic dissected Rasmus Andersson‘s current situation and his ability to cash in. Goldman referred to other players who have a key similar attribute to Andersson, like Jacob Trouba, Connor Murphy, Andrew Peeke, Connor Clifton, Dylan Coghlan, etc; they’re right-handed. Aside from Darren Raddysh, whose 70 points in 73 games this season had a UFA defenseman’s best $14K cost-per-point, Andersson is listed as the only other shiny option among those rare options within their primes but noted that given Andersson’s lackluster Stanley Cup Final performance, he could be a risky bet for a team to pay for on the open market. His average annual market value is as low as $6.8MM and as high as $9.65MM, per Evolving-Hockey.
- The Seattle Kraken have hired two assistants to the young-franchise’s front office and bench. They announced they’re bringing on former Vancouver Canucks GM Patrik Allvin, who was a 2024 finalist for NHL GM of the Year in that role, and Pascal Vincent, who, for the last two years, has been head coach for the Laval Rocket, where he won his second AHL Coach of the Year in 2025. Allvin, 51, joins forces with current Kraken GM and Executive VP of Hockey Operations Jason Botterill. Both spent 10 years together in Pittsburgh, including a Stanley Cup victory in 2009 and back-to-back Cup wins in 2016 and 2017 while Botterill was assistant GM. Vincent, 54, was an NHL assistant coach for seven seasons, five with the Winnipeg Jets (2011 to 2016), two with the Columbus Blue Jackets (2021 to 2023), where he also served one year as their head coach in 2023-24.
Morning Notes: Larkin, Kuefler, Hurricanes
Dylan Larkin is believed to be entertaining three popular trade destinations after requesting a move from the Detroit Red Wings. Not being on his initial list won’t stop other teams from calling on the top center, though. Always involved in trade buzz, the Dallas Stars are believed to have checked in on Larkin’s trade price per EliteProspects’ Sean Shapiro.
In what would feel like the antithesis to Mike Modano‘s heralded move to Detroit in 2010 in many ways, Dallas could muster a package rich enough to land Detroit’s star forward of the last decade. Larkin has routinely rivaled 70 points, with strong defensive performances, over each of the last five seasons. His consistency – and potential for even more in a strong offense – will make him an expensive asset for the rebuilding Red Wings. Dallas may need to part with promising youngsters like Lian Bichsel, Thomas Harley, or Emil Hemming in the name of bolstering Detroit’s future. In return, they would land a strong successor for the aging Tyler Seguin and Matt Duchene. Larkin is signed to a manageable $8.7MM cap hit through the 2030-31 season, which would align with potential-battery mate Roope Hintz‘s contract.
Larkin would need to approve of any trade but Dallas proved their ability to pull off blockbusters with their acquisiton of Mikko Rantanen. They will be a notable team to follow as the saga around Larkin’s move grows.
Other notes from around the league:
- The New York Islanders have signed AHL forward Daylan Kuefler to a two-year, two-way contract extension per NHL.com’s Stefen Rosner. The deal will carry an $850K salary in the NHL and $105K salary in the AHL in year-one, then grow to a $900K salary in the NHL and $125K salary in the AHL in year-two per Rosner. $290K of that salary will be guaranteed. This deal marks a tidy bit of assurance for the third-year pro. This year marked Kuefler’s first full season with the Bridgeport Islanders. He finished the season with 25 points and 64 penalty minutes in 67 games. He will likely hang onto a depth role in the AHL lineup as he grows into a leading role on the newly-unveiled Hamilton Hammers.
- Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Frederik Andersen took the practice sheet and was announced as “available” for Game 5, per ESPN’s Greg Wyshynski. Despite that, the Hurricanes seem set to keep Brandon Bussi and Pyotr Kochetkov as their tandem after a Game 4 win. Bussi has stopped 36 of the 40 shots he has faced since replacing Andersen partway through Game 3. The decision came after Andersen paved over the first three rounds, marked by 13 wins and a .910 save percentage in 16 games. It seems the hot hand will hold favor in the Hurricanes net, though. Until Bussi struggles, Andersen’s action may be limited to the practice sheet.
Bruce Cassidy Would Entertain Any NHL Head Coach Role
Not even an electric Stanley Cup Finals has been enough to keep the Vegas Golden Knights from pushing for an advantage over the rest of the league. Amid one of the most energetic coaching wires in recent memory, Vegas is exercising their right to prevent recently-fired head coach Bruce Cassidy from interviewing for other jobs. The NHL has raised no issue with Vegas’ approach, pointing out that Cassidy would forfeit the $5MM his multi-year contract with Vegas promised him for the 2026-27 season by interviewing for another role. That money might not be an obstacle for the former Stanley Cup winner, though. In speaking with The Athletic, Cassidy shared that he simply wants to get back to work and would welcome the chance to fill any head coach role.
This will be prominent news for the Edmonton Oilers and Toronto Maple Leafs, the NHL’s only current coaching vacancies. Both clubs are in need of a leader after spinning their tires for the last few seasons. With the pressure of star-studded lineups, both clubs have also turned towards surprising ideas to try and bring in a difference-maker. Edmonton has kicked off a league investigation with their interest in former Leafs head coach Mike Babcock, who resigned from his most recent coaching role before coaching a single practice. The Maple Leafs are looking towards the other side of experience, interviewing 2024 retiree Joe Pavelski who spent last season coaching 15U hockey in Wisconsin. As shocking as both ideas are, they could each have merit, as Edmonton looks to strong-arm a Stanley Cup win while Toronto tries to kickoff a new era.
A free agent like Cassidy may be too great to ignore. The 61-year-old head coach is a two-time Jack Adams Trophy finalist and one-time winner. He has continued to stock his trophy cabinet over the last three years, winning the 2023 Stanley Cup, 2025 4-Nations Face-Off, and supporting a Silver medal at the 2026 Winter Olympics. More than his accolades, Cassidy’s proof is in the results. After missing out despite a winning record in his first year coaching in the AHL, Cassidy has led every single team has helmed to the postseason. That includes four trips to the Calder Cup Playoffs and nine trips to the Stanley Cup Playoffs – a mark that would have grown to 10 had Vegas retained his role for eight more games.
Cassidy’s clubs have made it by the first-round in eight of those 13 playoff runs. He made his first run to the Stanley Cup Finals in 2019, only to be disappointed by a fate-struck St. Louis Blues club. That mistake didn’t repeat itself when he returned to the 2023 Finals. Through the regular season, Cassidy has combined for a 373-173-72 record in the NHL – or an 82-game average of 50-23-9. He has reached those marks on strong Boston Bruins and Golden Knights clubs and should only reach higher heights with the strength of Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl or Auston Matthews and, potentially, Gavin McKenna.
That potential should be enough to keep both Canadian clubs patient for a few more weeks. The Stanley Cup Finals will end by June 17th, at the latest, and Cassidy could choose to forfeit his promised salary in the name of a new role soon after that. He would be far-and-away the top option on a coaching market pulling in names from hockey past, present, and future.
Kings’ Drew Doughty Eyeing Extension, Captaincy
The Los Angeles Kings let go of a franchise legend when captain Anze Kopitar announced his retirement following the 2025-26 season. The Kings also face an expiring contract for their next-longest tenured player: defenseman Drew Doughty, whose current deal is set to end in 2027. Signing Doughty to an extension could help Log Angeles address two issues at once – securing a captain for a few seasons while walking the 36-year-old Doughty to retirement. General manager Ken Holland said that the Kings have initially discussed Doughty’s next extension but isn’t pressured to get something done per Alexander Legget of Mayor’s Manor.
The 2025-26 season marked a down year for Doughty. His 23 points in 72 games was a career-low scoring pace and a major step down from Doughty’s 82-game average of 12 goals and 53 points over the prior four seasons. What was meant to be a year centered around the Winter Olympics didn’t shine overseas either, with Doughty leaving the Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics with just one assist and a Silver medal.
Still, there is no denying Doughty’s place in Los Angeles’ lineup. The veteran defender holds the Kings’ record for most games played (1,279 regular-season, 105 playoffs) and points (709 regular-season, 61 playoffs) in both the regular season and playoffs by a defenseman. Much of his company in the Kings records books – including forwards Anže Kopitar, Dustin Brown, Dave Taylor, and Luc Robitaille – all retired in Los Angeles following long careers in the NHL. Doughty would be the natural next-up to ride into the L.A. sunset, though he’ll need a resurgence in the 2026-27 season to force Holland’s hand.
Donning the captaincy would also support Doughty’s case for a new deal. He told reporters in his 2026 exit interview that the captaincy would “mean the world”. There is a thin shortlist of candidates to succeed Kopitar’s tenure with the letter. Quinton Byfield will assume Kopitar’s role at top-center and could be the center-piece of the team’s next era, if he succeeds. Kings veterans and alternate captains Adrian Kempe and Michael Anderson could also earn the nod after years with the club. But neither the promise of future responsibility, nor robust veteran experience, could outweigh Doughty’s case as a Kings legend. After nine years with an ‘A’ on his chest, Doughty seems to be the top option to wear the ‘C’.
The storyline of Doughty’s up-and-down 30s, marked by untimely injuries, will continue to follow the Kings through much of the remaining decade. Little talk of an extension between the two sides – as acknowledged by Holland and Doughty – could leave the door open to a wide range of opportunities. Doughty has expressed his desire to stay with Los Angeles through the end of his career. That goal could place some added weight on obtaining the captaincy, as Doughty looks to solidify his lineup importance in the 2026-27 season.
Blackhawks To Make Roman Kantserov A Focal Piece
The Chicago Blackhawks landed an immediate lineup impact when top prospect Anton Frondell joined the club following the end of the SHL season. Frondell scored nine points in the first 12 games of his NHL career and operated at his best away from star Connor Bedard, helping to bolster the club’s top-six. While his ability to continue that performance will represent the highest potential for Chicago’s 2026-27 season, the club is also brimming with excitement over young KHL star Roman Kantserov, general manager Kyle Davidson told Scott Powers of The Athletic. Davidson said:
[Kantserov is] a major piece that we’re just really, really excited about. [We] have a lot of faith in what he’s going to do for us.
Kantserov has been a true terror for the KHL’s Magnitogorsk Metallurg since he debuted in the league at 18. Then the 2023-24 season, Kantserov’s rookie year was marked by quiet production – 15 points in 53 regular season games – until he broke out in the 2024 Gagarin Cup Playoffs. The teenager managed 13 points in 23 postseason games that year, fourth-most on the team and above NHL talents like Danila Yurov and Nikita Grebenkin, as Metallurg pushed for their first championship in eight years.
That breakout performance carried over into his age-19 season, when Kantserov finished second on the team with 38 points in 47 games. He also tied for third on the team in goals with 13. Even in a down year for Metallurg, Kantserov’s ability to bring confident and explosive offense to every shift stood out. As the club honed their offense for the 2025-26 season, so did Kantserov, who climbed to a team-leading 36 goals, and a second-ranked 64 points, in just 63 games. In total, his 117 points in 164 career games is the fourth-most ever achieved by a KHL player under the age of 22 – behind only Kirill Kaprizov, Evgeny Kuznetsov, and Vladimir Tarasenko. Kantserov ties Kaprizov for the highest points-per-game average (0.71) among the group.
That success won’t automatically make Kantserov a standout, though. He holds some disadvantage as a 5-foot-9 winger. So far, his leg speed and lightning-quick thinking with the puck has proven strong enough to keep him free from worry, but Kantserov knows the NHL will be a different challenge. He told Powers:
My teammates tell me, Roman, the NHL is a different league. Everyone’s faster, stronger. You need to think faster. I’m staying on practice for extra time and, yeah, I’m trying to shoot faster, quick shots and trying practice on this stuff… I understand it’s a different league… I understand that it’s going to be fast, so I tried to do everything quickly, even in my league.
The Blackhawks have already seen positive signs from the 21 year old. Head coach Jeff Blashill praised Kantserov’s understanding of the game and commitment to the process. He also said that Kantserov should get an early chance to fill the bumper role on Chicago’s power-play, a spot Blashill thinks the young Russian could be uniquely fit for – akin to the likes of Brayden Point and Ivan Barbashev. Blashill said that Kantserov has clearly studied what works for NHL forwards in that role and already stands out as someone capable of bringing movement, and changing angles, to the position.
Chicago’s power-play has posted the ninth-lowest success rate (19 percent) since the 2020-21 season – but 2026-27 could be the year to want a feature role on the top unit. Bedard, Frondell, and Frank Nazar will likely fill out the remaining forward positions – each boasting a clear ability to both create and finish scoring chances. Kantserov could be the final touch to Chicago’s high-powered top unit, taking some stress off of the team’s search for a defenseman who can quarterback the power-play. That company could also quickly elevate Kantserov to prominent scoring, if he manages to play quick enough to stick in the role.
Plenty of uncertainty still exists around Kantserov’s NHL future. Kapriov and Matvei Michkov (66 points in 91 career games) are the only players with Kantserov’s small frame to break into prominent NHL roles. One of them has reached the upper echelon of the league while the other – once a star prospect – is fighting to figure out exactly where he fits. The challenge of adjusting to NHL speed and physicality will be an uphill battle for Kantserov, who will face the fight while rostered on one of the team’s struggling clubs. But if he finds his stride, the young Kantserov could truly be one of the greatest X-factors of the 2026-27 season – a fact the Blackhawks seem well prepared for.
NHL Combine Notes: Stenberg, Cup Final, NCAA
Ivar Stenberg, the No. 1 internationally ranked prospect on the NHL Central Scouting rankings of non-North American skaters, did not participate in fitness testing at the NHL Scouting Combine. First reported by Mark Masters of TSN, the 18-year-old Swede said if he was not feeling sick, he would’ve participated in the testing. He came down with this after the IIHF World Championships, where he scored at a point-per-game, registering four goals for eight points in eight games in his final stint of hockey ahead of the 2026 NHL Entry Draft.
Stenberg interviewed with 14 different teams at the Combine, notably coming off a campaign with Frolunda in the Swedish Hockey League, where he scored 33 points in 43 games. He had the fifth-best season by a player age 18 or younger in Swedish Hockey League history, behind Daniel Sedin (42 pts in 1998-99), Markus Naslund (39 pts in 1991-92), Tomas Sandstrom (37 pts in 1982-83), and Henrik Sedin (34 pts in 1998-99).
Additional Combine Notes:
- Stenberg is one of six top prospects set to attend Game 4 of the 2026 Stanley Cup Final, where the Vegas Golden Knights will host the Carolina Hurricanes, leading 2-1 in the series. The Swedish standout will be joined by defenseman Chase Reid (No. 2 on Central Scouting’s ranking of North Americans) of Sault Ste. Marie in the OHL, defenseman Carson Carels (No. 3) of Prince George in the WHL, defenseman Keaton Verhoeff (No. 4) from the University of North Dakota (NCAA), center Caleb Malhotra (No. 6) of Brantford in the OHL, and defenseman Alberts Smits of Munchen in Deutsche Eishockey Liga. The Latvian is No. 2 to Stenberg on NHL Central Scouting’s final ranking of International skaters.
- According to Mike G. Morreale on NHL.com, There were eight NCAA hockey players at this year’s NHL combine. The CHL to College Hockey pipeline into National Hockey League prospect pools is only set to grow from here. Since May 1, 73 players have committed to NCAA programs, and nearly 60% have come from the CHL. Going back to the turn of the calendar year, 272 total commitments have been made, nearly half, 132 to be exact, from Canadian major junior hockey (QMJHL, OHL, WHL).
Five Key Stories: 6/1/26 – 6/7/26
The beginning of June certainly brought some exciting games on the ice as Carolina and Vegas began the Stanley Cup Final. Meanwhile, it also brought some news of note off the ice, which is recapped in our key stories.
Trotz’s Replacement Found: After a nearly four-month search to find Nashville’s next top executive, the Predators have one in place. They lured away now-former Colorado GM Chris MacFarland and named him their President of Hockey Operations and General Manager, handing him a six-year contract in the process. MacFarland had spent the previous 11 years in Colorado, the last four as GM and also worked with Columbus for 15 seasons as well. He’ll now be tasked with trying to get the team out of the middle where they either just make or just miss the playoffs each season. Joining him to aid those efforts will be former Kings GM Rob Blake, who was quickly brought in as Executive Vice President of Hockey Operations. He spent eight years running the show in Los Angeles before being replaced by Ken Holland last offseason.
One Less Coaching Vacancy: While it ultimately took a little longer than most expected, the Canucks indeed went the route many thought they would with their head coach. As they embark on a rebuilding phase, new GM Ryan Johnson is sticking with someone he knows as he promoted Manny Malhotra to take over behind the bench. The two had worked together previously with AHL Abbotsford. It’s Malhotra’s first NHL head coaching opportunity but he has seven years of NHL experience as an assistant to go along with a 16-year career at the top level. Now, he’ll be tasked with maximizing the development of some of Vancouver’s younger players as they begin what seems likely to be a multi-year rebuilding process.
Larkin Wants Out: It has been a rough go for Detroit as of late as they have missed the playoffs in 10 straight years. That has led to some frustration from captain Dylan Larkin being vocalized in the past and now it appears it has reached a boiling point after multiple reports indicate that he has asked to be traded. The 29-year-old has spent his entire 11-year career with the Red Wings and is their captain while locking down the top center spot for a significant chunk of that time. He has five years left on his contract with an $8.7MM AAV to go along with full trade protection. If Larkin gives GM Steve Yzerman a fair-sized list of teams to work with and Yzerman is willing to move him, he’d instantly become one of the top players available on the trade front in a market that has many more buyers than sellers.
Done For Good? After missing more than two full seasons due to Chronic Immune Response Syndrome, Jonathan Toews returned to the NHL in 2025-26, signing a one-year deal with his hometown Winnipeg Jets. However, it appears the comeback will be one-and-done as the veteran is expected to retire. Toews had 29 points in 82 games this season but struggled when deployed in the top-six role he was expected to fill. He wasn’t rusty at the faceoff dot, however, winning over 62% of his draws. Toews likely would have drawn interest in a bottom-six role if he decided to keep playing but it appears his 16-year career is now over.
Oilers Seeking Defensive Shakeup: As the Oilers look to pick up the pieces after a first-round elimination, it appears they’re looking to shake things up. One of the casualties could come on the back end following a report that says the team is ready and willing to move veteran Darnell Nurse as soon as they are able. That last bit matters as Nurse has full trade protection for next season so if he wants to stay, he’s going to stay for at least one more year. Nurse has four years left on his deal at a $9.25MM AAV, a price tag that’s on the high side for someone who is likely best utilized as a second-pairing option. But if Nurse is open to move, he could be a candidate to move for another veteran blueliner in need of a change of scenery in the hopes that the move yields a player who better fits their system.
Photo courtesy of Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images.
Peter Laviolette An Emerging Option In Kings Coaching Search
The Los Angeles Kings are sparring with the Toronto Maple Leafs on the coaching market and yet another candidate has popped up on both teams’ radar. Former New York Rangers head coach Peter Laviolette is believed to be one of three candidates in Los Angeles’ coaching search per Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman on the latest episode of the 32 Thoughts Podcast. Friedman names the other candidates as Jay Woodcroft and interim head coach D.J. Smith. It was revealed on Wednesday that Laviolette also interviewed with the Maple Leafs.
Laviolette took the 2025-26 season off from coaching after being dismissed from a two-year tenure with the New York Rangers after the 2024-25 season. He had split results behind the Rangers bench, reaching the Eastern Conference Finals after a 55-win season in 2024 but then failing to reach 40 wins or the postseason in 2025. He was much more of a postseason mainstay earlier on in his career – appearing in the playoffs in 13 of the 21 NHL seasons he’s helmed.
Better than a strong record of playoff appearances, Laviolette proved an ability to take multiple teams deep into summer hockey. Having already won an AHL Calder Cup championship, his career began with back-to-back first-round exits with the New York Islanders in 2002 and 2003. He flipped to a middling Carolina Hurricanes club partway through the 2003-04 season and quickly found a way to bring the best out of the club’s stars. On the other side of the 2004-05 lockout, Carolina blazed to an incredible 2006 Stanley Cup championship, built on the back of a more-than 40-point improvement from Rod Brind’Amour and tremendous performances from rookie Cam Ward and sophomore Eric Staal.
The Hurricanes’ stars continued to shine through the next two seasons but Carolian couldn’t repeat their run to the playoffs in 2007 or 2008. They dismissed Laviolette partway through the 2008-09 season. One year later, he was back on an NHL bench, and back to driving towards the Stanley Cup Finals – this time with a veteran-heavy Philadelphia Flyers lineup. Laviolette’s Flyers lost the 2009 Stanley Cup championship but managed to return to the second-round in 2011 and 2012. After another mid-season replacement in 2013-14, Laviolette flipped to the Nashville Predators – who he again drove to an unsuccessful Stanley Cup Finals in 2017 after a pair of postseason bids ended early. With no hardware to match five postseason runs in five seasons, Nashville replaced Laviolette in 2020 – paving the way for subsequent two-year stints with the Washington Capitals and Rangers.
Los Angeles may now try to revive Laviolette’s playoff instincts after his longest time away from the league since the 2004-05 lockout. The Kings have reached, and lost, the first round in each of the last five postseasons. That success has come through tenures with three different coaches – Todd McLellan, Jim Hiller, and D.J. Smith. The Kings have proven an ability to win ground in a weak Pacific Division but clearly lack the jump to get over the first hurdle. Next season, they will also lack a pillar of their lineup, after Anze Kopitar announced his retirement. Quinton Byfield will face the challenge of filling the lineup hole, while a tenured voice like Laviolette’s could be perfect to make up the locker room’s veteran presence.
Los Angeles reached the postseason by just four points. Next season could bring an even tighter margin, as the San Jose Sharks continue to improve. That competition could make Laviolette’s Stanley Cup-experience the difference-maker against Woodcroft and Smith. Friedman added that Laviolette’s desire to coach stuck through the 2025-26 season.