Darren Dreger made a big splash in the coaching scene on Thursday with news that both Los Angeles and Edmonton really needed to know about.
The TSN insider shared on Barn Burner that both teams are looking at two experienced coaching candidates: Craig Berube and Peter Laviolette.
Dreger described the type of coach both teams want as someone who is more hands-on. Both teams are looking for someone with experience, good organization, and the ability to get wins when it matters most in May.
This description fits both Berube and Laviolette well. Berube won a Stanley Cup with St. Louis in 2019, while Laviolette grabbed his trophy with Carolina in 2006 and has made it to the final stages since then.
Recently, the Oilers let go of Kris Knoblauch. The Kings are assessing how well D. J. Smith performed during his first season, and the LA management is not just sitting back.
Stan Bowman is looking for a solid improvement in Edmonton. The situation with Bruce Cassidy in Vegas is more well-known. Both Berube and Laviolette are similar options for the teams.
Bowman and Holland are both interested in the same two coaches but with different priorities. Edmonton has the most urgent need in the league. Connor McDavid has just two years remaining on his contract, and Leon Draisaitl is signed for the long term. Last season, the team got knocked out in the first round by the Anaheim Ducks in six games.
That’s the situation that either Berube or Laviolette would take over. The expectations are sky-high, and so is the pressure.
The situation for LA is different. Ken Holland’s Kings ended the season with a record of 35 wins, 27 losses, and 20 overtime losses, totaling 90 points and ranking 20th overall. This kind of average performance usually leads to a coach getting fired, but it might give them another shot this summer in Los Angeles.
The Kings finished their last six games at home with a poor record of 9 wins, 27 losses, and 5 overtime losses. That is the part that the management can’t overlook.
Berube lost his job in Toronto this week after the Maple Leafs didn’t make it to the playoffs. His firing comes at a time when experienced teams are looking for new coaches.
Laviolette’s last coaching job in the NHL was with the Rangers. Since then, he has been doing broadcasting work and consulting. He mentioned to Nick Alberga yesterday that his approach for any coaching position is to “focus on working hard, playing tough, and managing time and space. ”
Both coaches have a similar advantage. They have been in the spotlight when the Stanley Cup was won. This experience makes them appealing candidates for teams that are ready to win now.
The main difference between the coaching positions in Edmonton and LA is their captain. McDavid’s dedication to the Oilers is the key factor that affects all other choices made in that organization.
According to Dreger’s reports, both teams are likely to consider similar candidates. The team that acts first gets to pick their favorite. The team that waits has to take whoever is available.
These decisions need to be made within the next month. The 2026 NHL Draft and free agency are coming up quickly.
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