Washington Capitals: Peter Laviolette is the right choice for head coach
In their coaching search, the Washington Capitals got it right.
We’re one day into the Peter Laviolette era which was the right hire to coach this Washington Capitals team. The 55 year old is the 19th head coach in Capitals franchise history and brings 18 years of coaching experience.
Laviolette has previously coached with the New York Islanders (2001-03), the Carolina Hurricanes (2003-08), the Philadelphia Flyers (2009-2013) and the Nashville Predators (2014-2020). Laviolette’s career coaching record is 637-425-25-123 and ranks second in wins among U.S. born coaches and the 16th most in NHL history.
“The freshness of coming into a team that I haven’t been in before always excites me just because it’s not only new to them but it’s new for me as well and it’s a chance for really a group to start on Page One on Day One and to build something that could be really, really good,” Laviolette told the media on a Zoom conference call yesterday.
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Laviolette took the Hurricanes, Flyers and Predators to the Finals, having won the Stanley Cup with Carolina in 2006. He became the fourth American-born coach to win the Stanley Cup. Laviolette has been to the postseason 11 times and has an overall record of 75-68 in the playoffs. He’s the fourth coach in NHL history to lead three different teams to the Stanley Cup Final joining Doug Irvin, Scotty Bowman, and Mike Keenan.
“I think he checks a lot of boxes for us. He’s got a lot of experience. He’s got a track record of accomplishment. He does a good job motivating players, holding players accountable. I think the structure that his teams play in,” added Capitals General Manager Brian MacLellan.
“Again, he has had success. He’s won a Cup. He’s been in the Finals. He does a good job of re-establishing teams’ identities. So all those things factored into him being a great candidate for the situation that we’re in, and I think the team is a good, good match for him also as a coach.”
Laviolette’s teams have ranked well consistently offensively and defensively. In 13 seasons, his teams have ranked in the top 10 in goals seven times. With the Predators, he led them to 248 wins.
“I think there is a line that you have to be tough. But you also have to be compassionate to the players, and you’ve got to work to build the inside of the room, build that family, build that culture inside the room on what to expect from each other on a daily basis and to set that standard of how you’re going to practice and how you’re going to play, and what you expect from yourself as a group every day,” said Laviolette.
More. Peter Laviolette is ready to coach the Washington Capitals. light
Laviolette is the perfect choice to be the next coach of the Caps. The Caps had other candidates but they knocked it out of the park of this head coaching search with this hire. He’ll help change the culture and get their attitude back to winning. Stars and Sticks would like to welcome Laviolette to D.C.!