Multiple reports over the past week have indicated that the Los Angeles Kings have already begun interviewing coaching candidates early this offseason.
The variety of coaching candidates connected to Los Angeles early this offseason suggests the Kings are evaluating multiple philosophical directions behind the bench. Some candidates would bring veteran NHL experience and postseason proven resumes, while others represent a more modern, offensive-minded approach focused on developing the organization’s younger core.
DJ Smith also remains a possible internal option after serving as the Kings’ interim head coach late last season.
From Jay Woodcroft to Peter Laviolette, the Los Angeles Kings are exploring very different coaching directions
After five consecutive first-round playoff exits, the Kings are no longer simply searching for stability behind the bench. Los Angeles is focused on finding a coach capable of modernizing the offense while helping elevate younger players, like center Quinton Byfield and defenseman Brandt Clarke, going into the future.
Here are the two known candidates Los Angeles has interviewed so far this offseason and in this past week.
Jay Woodcroft (Anaheim Ducks assistant coach)
Anaheim Ducks assistant coach Jay Woodcroft is one of the hotter head coaching candidates on the carousel early this offseason in the league.
Woodcroft is also reportedly expected to interview with the Toronto Maple Leafs during their coaching search.
It was reported earlier today that the Kings had interviewed Woodcroft for the head coaching job earlier this week. Woodcroft has been rumored to be on the shortlist for Holland and the Kings in the front office for the head coaching job early this offseason.
The fact that Woodcroft has ties to Holland from their time together with the Oilers in Edmonton means that there is a connection between the two of them. His familiarity with Holland, combined with his offensive-minded coaching style, makes Woodcroft one of the more intriguing candidates connected to Los Angeles so far.
Peter Laviolette (former New York Rangers head coach)
It's been assumed early this offseason that the Kings could potentially consider at least kicking the tires on former New York Rangers head coach Peter Laviolette as a coaching candidate this offseason.
The first report that came out early this week, which confirmed the Kings interviewing a head coaching candidate early this offseason, involved Laviolette.
Laviolette would immediately bring veteran structure and playoff experience to Los Angeles, though questions remain about whether his style best fits a Kings team attempting to become more offensively dynamic.
Laviolette led multiple teams to the Stanley Cup Finals in this past couple of decades. He took the Philadelphia Flyers (2010) and the Nashville Predators (2017) to the Stanley Cup Finals in the 2010s decade and he won a Stanley Cup Championship with the Carolina Hurricanes in 2006.
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