The Seattle Kraken have appointed Lane Lambert as the third head coach in the franchise`s history, the team announced Thursday.
Lambert most recently served as an associate coach with the Toronto Maple Leafs during the 2024-25 season. Prior to that, he was the head coach of the New York Islanders for 127 games between 2022 and 2024.
Kraken General Manager Jason Botterill commented on the decision, stating, “After conducting an extensive search, we’re thrilled to announce Lane as our new head coach. We cast a wide net for suitable candidates. What impressed us throughout the interview process was Lane’s strategy and vision for this team.” Botterill added, “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 his tenure in New York, Lambert was an assistant coach for the Washington Capitals, contributing to their Stanley Cup victory in 2018. His move to Seattle will reunite the 60-year-old coach with former Capitals players Chandler Stephenson, Andre Burakovsky, and Philipp Grubauer from that championship-winning team.
As head coach of the Islanders, Lambert`s record was 61-46-20. He successfully guided the team to the playoffs in his inaugural year, the 2022-23 season, where they were eliminated by the Carolina Hurricanes in the first round.
Lambert was relieved of his duties midway through the 2023-24 season after the team began with a 19-15-11 record and was replaced by Patrick Roy.
Expressing his enthusiasm for the new role, Lambert said, “I`m so excited to become the head coach of the Seattle Kraken. 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 takes over from Dan Bylsma, who was dismissed after a single season at the helm in Seattle. Under Bylsma, the Kraken finished with a 35-41-6 record, missing the playoffs by 20 points.
A native of Melfort, Saskatchewan, Lambert also had a six-year playing career in the NHL as a forward. The six-foot player appeared in 283 games for the Detroit Red Wings, Quebec Nordiques, and New York Rangers, recording 58 goals and 124 points.
Duncan Priestley 
Neville Woodall