Back in 2020 after having just gotten eliminated from the bubble, the Washington Capitals fired Todd Reirden and eventually hired Peter Laviolette. They were hoping a veteran bench boss would help right the locker room. It sadly didn’t.
Both Laviolette and General Manager Brian MacLellan agreed to mutually part ways around 5 p.m. on Friday. Laviolette’s contract that he signed three years ago officially expires on June 30.
Laviolette was the 19th head coach in Capitals franchise history and led the team to a 115-78-27 record from 2020-23.
MacLellan said in a press release from the Caps:
"“We are grateful for Peter’s leadership and dedication to our organization for the last three seasons. Peter is a first-class individual who has represented our club with integrity and guided our team through many difficult circumstances in his tenure as our head coach. We wish him all the best moving forward.”"
Today the Capitals closed their facility to the public to hold their breakdown day which included the final player interviews with the media this season. It also included words from GMBM himself.
Tarik El Bashir of The Athletic (subscription required) wrote the other day that he was hearing that Ted Leonsis and GMBM were meeting up shortly after the season ended to discuss whether or not to extend Laviolette. That meeting was certainly quick.
Laviolette is by no means a bad coach but this season the Caps lost 37 games which was their most since 2006-07. Laviolette ranks eighth all time in coaching wins in the NHL. Even though he has that established resume, it was time for both parties to part ways.
Laviolette would not have wanted to have come back on a one year deal. He would have wanted a three year deal at least which would’ve been weird if he lost the locker room. He certainly lost it with some of the fan base based on our mentions on twitter this season.
Now it’s time to look for a new coach. Who would be the right face to lead the Caps back to glory?