Peter Laviolette’s move to Los Angeles Kings may have altered the Maple Leafs‘ coaching plans more than initially expected. The veteran coach is reportedly set to become the Kings’ next head coach, leaving Toronto and Edmonton as the only teams still searching for a head coach ahead of the 2026-27 season.

While Laviolette had been linked to both openings, NHL insider Nick Kypreos suggested Toronto believed it was close to hiring the veteran coach before Los Angeles entered the picture.

“I was told on Friday that Laviolette was going to be the next coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs,” Kypreos said, according to an X post shared by a Leafs fan account. “He was spotted in town, and I would imagine that L.A. did some fast talking on Saturday or Sunday. We could’ve been looking at a press conference on Monday or Tuesday. Did L.A. essentially swoop in and steal him from the Leafs?”

If true, Laviolette’s decision leaves Toronto back in the market after another experienced candidate came off the board.

TSN insider Pierre LeBrun recently reported that the Maple Leafs have moved into the next stage of their coaching search, with in-person interviews expected to begin this week. According to LeBrun, around five candidates remain under consideration.

Joe Pavelski is among the names that have surfaced in recent days, though reports have also suggested the organization may still prefer someone with more coaching experience.

The Maple Leafs parted ways with Craig Berube after missing the playoffs last season, with general manager John Chayka leading the search for the franchise’s next head coach.

Peter Laviolette brings decades of NHL experience to Los Angeles

The Kings are turning to one of the NHL’s most experienced coaches. According to ESPN, Los Angeles is signing Laviolette to a three-year contract. Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic also reported that the deal will run for three seasons.

Laviolette did not coach last season after leaving the New York Rangers following the 2024-25 season. Over 23 seasons as an NHL head coach, Laviolette has worked with the Islanders, Hurricanes, Flyers, Predators, Capitals and Rangers.

He has coached 1,594 NHL games and owns an 846-562-161 record with 14 playoff appearances. Laviolette won the Stanley Cup with Carolina in 2006 and later led both Philadelphia and Nashville to the Stanley Cup Final.

He takes over a Kings team that reached the playoffs last season but was swept by Colorado in the opening round. Los Angeles made a coaching change after moving on from Jim Hiller with D.J. Smith guiding the team through the remainder of the season on an interim basis.

The Kings will now hope Laviolette’s experience can help them move beyond the early playoff exits that have followed the franchise in recent years.