Kraken hire Lane Lambert as head coach

The Seattle Kraken have found their new bench boss.

Lane Lambert has been hired by the Kraken as the third head coach in franchise history, the team announced Thursday.

Lambert was an associate coach with the Toronto Maple Leafs during the 2024-25 season and the head coach of the New York Islanders for 127 games between 2022 and 2024.

“After conducting an extensive search, we’re thrilled to announce Lane as our new head coach,” said Kraken GM Jason Botterill in a statement by the team. “We cast a wide net for suitable candidates. 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.”

Before landing a job in New York, Lambert was an assistant coach with the Washington Capitals, helping the team to a Stanley Cup in 2018. With the Kraken, the 60-year-old will be able to reunite with Chandler Stephenson, Andre Burakovsky and Philipp Grubauer from that championship-winning team.

In his time as the Islanders’ head coach, Lambert went 61-46-20. He led the team to the playoffs in his first year at the helm, 2022-23, ultimately losing in the first round to the Carolina Hurricanes.

He was fired mid-season in 2023-24 after starting the year 19-15-11 and was replaced by Patrick Roy.

“I’m so excited to become the head coach of the Seattle Kraken,” said Lambert. “When it came time to writing a new chapter, I couldn’t think of a better fit. 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. I’d like to thank Samantha Holloway, Ron Francis and Jason Botterill for this opportunity. I can’t wait to get started.”

Lambert will replace Dan Bylsma, who was fired after just one season behind the Seattle bench. The Kraken went 35-41-6 under Bylsma, missing out on the post-season by 20 points.

The Melfort, Sask., native arrives in Seattle with six years of playing experience in the NHL, as well. A six-foot-tall forward, Lambert scored 58 goals and 124 points over 283 games split between the Detroit Red Wings, Quebec Nordiques and New York Rangers.