The odds-on favorite has closed the deal, as the Nashville Predators have announced the hiring of Peter Laviolette as their new head coach today.
On the surface, this seems like a reasonable hire: Laviolette won a Stanley Cup with Carolina in 2006, and took the Philadelphia Flyers to the Cup Final in 2010, losing to Chicago. That kind of playoff success has been sorely lacking in Nashville, and he already enjoys a working relationship with David Poile thanks to their efforts together with Team USA.
Nashville Predators President of Hockey Operations/General Manager David Poile announced today that the club has hired 2006 Stanley Cup-winning coach Peter Laviolette as the second head coach in team history and signed him to a multi-year contract. Also joining the coaching staff is Kevin McCarthy, who will serve as an assistant alongside Lane Lambert and Phil Housley.
“Having reached the peak as a Stanley Cup Champion, Peter knows the intensity and urgency it will take to help our team reach its ultimate goal,” Poile said. “He is a great hockey mind who not only has a winning resume, but has done it with an aggressive offensive philosophy while also excelling in helping young players reach their potential. We look forward to Peter instilling his culture in Nashville immediately following his duties coaching the United States at the 2014 World Championship.”