Laviolette hired as Capitals coach

Welcome to NHL.com, the official site of the National Hockey LeagueBienvenue à LNH.com , le site officiel de la Ligue nationale de hockeyДобро пожаловать на NHL.com, официальный сайт Национальной хоккейной лигиTervetuloa NHL:n viralliselle nettisivustolle NHL.comiinVälkommen till NHL.com, NHL:s officiella web-sidaVítejte na NHL.com, oficiálních stránkách National Hockey LeagueVitajte na NHL.com, oficiálnych stránkach National Hockey LeagueWillkommen auf NHL.com, der offiziellen Seite der National Hockey LeagueBienvenido a NHL.com, el sitio oficial de la National Hockey LeaguePeter Laviolette was hired as coach of the Washington Capitals on Tuesday.Laviolette replaces Todd Reirden, who was fired Aug. 23 after the Capitals were eliminated by the New York Islanders in the Eastern Conference First Round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs with a 4-0 loss in Game 5 on Aug. 20. For me, it's a real honor and privilege to be head coach of this hockey team."After firing Reirden, Capitals general manager Brian MacLellan said he wanted to hire an experienced coach to get more out of a veteran roster that includes left wing Alex Ovechkin, who turns 35 on Thursday; center Nicklas Backstrom, who turns 33 on Nov. 23; right wing T.J. Oshie, who turns 34 on Dec. 23; and defenseman John Carlson, who turns 31 on Jan. 10.MacLellan said Laviolette is the right coach for that job.Video: Peter Laviolette joins the crew on NHL Now"He's a good teacher, he's a good communicator, a good motivator; motivating is one of his strengths," MacLellan said. I think his track record with different organizations, he's been challenged a number of times of having teams that have different personalities in the locker room and on the ice and he's been able to adapt to different groups and be successful in the League."So I think it's a good match both ways and we're excited about it."Laviolette has coached 18 seasons in the NHL with the Islanders (2001-2003) Carolina Hurricanes (2003-2008), Philadelphia Flyers (2009-2013) and Nashville Predators (2014-2020), going 637-425-123 with 25 ties and qualifying for the playoffs 11 times.