The Washington Capitals announced Friday evening that the team and head coach Peter Laviolette have mutually agreed to part ways. Laviolette, whose contract expires on June 30, will not return as the Capitals head coach next season.
“We are grateful for Peter’s leadership and dedication to our organization for the last three seasons,” said MacLellan. “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.”
Laviolette was originally hired to replace former head coach Todd Reirden back in the fall of 2020. There was a perception at the time that “accountability” was lacking and that Laviolette would do a good job of restoring that lack in accountability.
After firing head coach Todd Reirden on August 23, Capitals’ general manager Brian MacLellan told the media that “we need an experienced coach, [one who will] press buttons on some players.” MacLellan thought the sense of accountability within the locker room was lost.
On September 15, 2020, the Capitals announced that Peter Laviolette would be the organization’s 19th head coach in franchise history, signing him to a three-year deal. In the end, MacLellan felt Laviolette was best suited to lead the Capitals forward, but more importantly, reinstate “accountability” within the team.
“Peter has a track record of establishing a culture, and it’s one of his priorities. And part of that culture is getting guys to play the right way and holding them accountable to play the right way. I think it’s a big priority when you talk to him, so I have confidence, because he’s done it in the past,” said MacLellan. “We assume the players [know] that’s a big strength of his moving forward and it’s a big reason why we hired him.”
Laviolette, by most accounts, was well received by the players, the Capitals front office, as well as many fans. He was more than proficient, and with a coach of his pedigree, was the right play following Todd Reirden’s reign. But the Capitals coaching “needs” have changed over the course of Laviolette’s tenure.
While accountability was indeed restored by Laviolette, the needs of the team have changed over the last three seasons. The focus is now on getting younger and using and developing prospects, something that might not be best suited for Laviolette.
Laviolette dealt with a ton adversity during his stint as head coach of the Capitals. A global pandemic and a rash of significant injuries accompanied Laviolette’s tenure in Washington, rendering it anything but typical.
FROM THE CAPITALS
ARLINGTON, Va. – The Washington Capitals and head coach Peter Laviolette have agreed to mutually part ways, senior vice president and general manager Brian MacLellan announced today. Laviolette, whose contract expires on June 30, will not return as the Capitals head coach next season.
Laviolette was the 19th head coach in franchise history and led the club to a 115-78-27 record from 2020-23.
“We are grateful for Peter’s leadership and dedication to our organization for the last three seasons,” said MacLellan. “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.”
The Capitals will conduct their final media availability session of the season on Saturday, April 15 at MedStar Capitals Iceplex. Players will address the media throughout the morning after 9:15 a.m. In addition, the Capitals will host a media availability with MacLellan at 12 p.m. All media availabilities will take place outside the Capitals locker room.
By Jon Sorensen