The Seattle Kraken have made a decision on their next head coach. News emerged on Thursday night the Lane Lambert has been hired to become the team’s third head coach in its history. Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman first broke the news. However, the team confirmed the hire soon after.
The Seattle Kraken announce that they have hired Lane Lambert to be their Head Coach.
Lane Lambert Hired by Seattle Kraken for Head Coach Role
Lambert comes over after serving as an associate head coach with the Toronto Maple Leafs. He helped Toronto have one of the better offences in the league. The Maple Leafs forward group was led by Lambert and they finished in the top-10 in scoring.
The 60-year-old also has head coaching experience with the New York Islanders. Lambert went 61-46-20 record in 127 games and guided the Isles to the 2022-23 Stanley Cup Playoffs. However, he was replaced around the halfway-point of his second season by then Islanders General Manager Lou Lamoriello.
The Islanders under Lambert made the post-season in 2022-23 after missing out the season before under Barry Trotz. Lambert then found a role on Craig Berube‘s staff in Toronto and made himself a top candidate.
The Melfort, Saskatchewan came out of interviews as a top candidate according to insiders. Other names that were rumoured to be interviewed were Mitch Love, David Quinn, Jay Woodcroft and Jeff Blashill.
What it Means
Kraken General Manger Jason Botterill is looking to put his stamp on the team. Lambert comes in replaces Dan Bylsma, who only lasted only one season.
Bylsma had success in the AHL with the Kraken’s affiliate in Coachella Valley. However, Seattle’s possession metrics and goal-scoring struggled. Lambert will be tasked with trying to turn that around.
Kraken players like Chandler Stephenson, Andre Burakovsky and Philipp Grubauer all have connections to Lambert from the 2018 Stanley Cup Champion Washington Capitals. Seattle fans are hoping that Lambert’s hiring can be the catalyst to a return to the post-season. However, it may take some time.
Main photo by: Dennis Schneidler-USA TODAY Sports
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