Kraken Fan? You Need to See The Kings' New Coach

Alright Seattle, you know we bleed blue and green, but sometimes we gotta peek over at what the other guys in the league are doing. And boy, did the LA Kings make a move today! Multiple reports are confirming they're bringing in Peter Laviolette as their new Head Coach, signing him to a three-year term. Yeah, you heard that right. This is official, folks, and it means our Southern rivals are making big plans. We always keep an eye on the competition, especially when it comes to the Emerald City's own.

Laviolette Takes the Throne in SoCal

Okay, let's get into the nitty-gritty. Peter Laviolette, a name that certainly rings a bell, is reportedly taking the reins in LA with a three-year contract. This isn't some short-term patch-up job, folks, this is a clear sign the Kings are ready to make a serious push and stabilize their bench for the long haul. This news comes after a period of significant activity for them, especially on the coaching front. Remember back in March, D.J. Smith was just named interim head coach after Jim Hiller was relieved of his duties? So, Laviolette stepping in for a three-year term now? It's a clear signal they're trying to stabilize things and build for the future with a permanent solution. They've been through a lot lately, even with some of their guys like Doughty and Kuemper grabbing silver at the Olympics, while Armia took home a bronze. Clearly, they've had some talent showing up, but needed to get their house in order.

Our Rivals Are Busy Bees in the Offseason

While we're always focused on our Kraken dominating Climate Pledge Arena, you gotta keep an eye on what the competition is cooking up. The Kings have been busy little bees, not just with the coaching drama. Their prospect Jared Woolley just bagged his second consecutive Memorial Cup championship, showing they've got some serious young talent coming up. Remember earlier in April? They were signing up some fresh talent, inking goaltender Hampton Slukynsky to a three-year entry-level deal and forward Grant Slukynsky to a one-year deal. They also had their AHL affiliate, the Ontario Reign, kicking off their Calder Cup Playoffs recently, battling Coachella Valley. It just shows they're investing heavily in their future, and bringing in a coach like Laviolette is another big piece of that puzzle. They're clearly looking to 'turn good into great,' as they said themselves back in April, wanting to add more offense. They even have Artemi Panarin, their new star player, who they need to let 'do what makes him special' to get the most out of him. With all these moving parts, it's clear the Kings are setting themselves up for a big next season, and we in Seattle should definitely be taking notice.

So, while the Kings are sorting out their bench bosses, we're here, still bleeding green and blue, waiting for our Kraken to hit the ice and show them what Seattle hockey is all about! Keep an eye on this space for all the latest on our boys, because whether it's the Mariners crushing it at T-Mobile Park or the Seahawks prepping at Lumen Field, we know where our loyalties lie. This offseason might be heating up for our rivals, but our focus is always on the Emerald City and what's next for our teams.

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This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.