The Seattle Kraken announced Thursday that veteran NHL coach Lane Lambert has been hired as the third head coach in franchise history. The move comes after the team parted ways with Dan Bylsma following a disappointing campaign in which the Kraken posted a 35-41-6 record and missed the playoffs for a second consecutive season.

Lambert, 60, brings solid experience behind the bench. Most recently, he served as an assistant coach with the Toronto Maple Leafs, helping guide the team to a first-place finish in the Atlantic Division during the 2024-25 season. He previously spent two seasons as head coach of the New York Islanders, where he led the club to a playoff appearance in his debut season.

With over a decade of experience working alongside Stanley Cup-winning coach Barry Trotz, Lambert was part of the Washington Capitals’ staff during their 2018 championship run. He also had assistant coaching stints with the Nashville Predators and Islanders, and served four seasons as head coach of the AHL’s Milwaukee Admirals.

Lambert inherits a Kraken roster that features several familiar faces. He previously coached team captain Jordan Eberle with the Islanders, and has ties to Chandler Stephenson, Andre Burakovsky, and Philipp Grubauer from his time in Washington.

A native of Melfort, Saskatchewan, Lambert was selected in the second round of the 1983 NHL Draft by the Detroit Red Wings. As a player, he appeared in 283 NHL games with Detroit, the New York Rangers, and Quebec Nordiques, recording 102 career points.