Kraken hire Lane Lambert as next coach

The Seattle Kraken named Lane Lambert their head coach on Thursday, more than one month after firing Dan Bylsma.

Most recently the associate coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs, Lambert heads into his second stint as an NHL boss after leading the New York Islanders in 2022-23 and part of 2023-24.

"When it came time to writing a new chapter, I couldn't think of a better fit," Lambert told the Kraken's team website. "Seattle is an incredible sports town, and I've been impressed by the energy of the fans every time I've been there as a visiting coach. This team has a talented group of young players poised to take the next step and a core group of veterans with great leadership qualities."

The franchise will embark on its fifth NHL season with its third head coach after Bylsma spent a single season behind the bench, which ended with Seattle missing the playoffs. Dave Hakstol coached the Kraken for their first three years in the league and guided them to one postseason trip.

It was the latest step the Kraken took to reshape their front office and coaching staff this offseason. Ron Francis was elevated from general manager to president of hockey operations and Jason Botterill was promoted to GM last month. Botterill led the search for a head coach, according to the team.

In a statement, Botterill cited Lambert's work as an assistant coach with the Washington Capitals when they won the 2018 Stanley Cup.

"We cast a wide net for suitable candidates," Botterill told the team website. "What impressed us throughout the interview process was Lane's strategy and vision for this team. He was an integral part of the Capitals winning the Cup and the Islanders advancing to two straight Eastern Conference finals. We have full confidence in Lane to lead this team behind the bench."

In Seattle, Lambert will work with three players whom he coached in Washington: goaltender Philipp Grubauer and forwards Chandler Stephenson and Andre Burakovsky.

Kraken captain Jordan Eberle also spent time playing for Lambert in New York. Lambert was an assistant under Barry Trotz with the Islanders before being named his successor when Trotz was fired in 2022.

Lambert has a 61-46-20 record as an NHL head coach.

--Field Level Media