According to the Canadian Press on Thursday, the Seattle Kraken have named Lane Lambert of Melfort, Saskatchewan as their new head coach. Lambert takes over from Dan Bylsma, who was relieved of his duties on April 21. Lambert is the second Canadian head coach all-time for the Kraken. He follows Dave Hakstol of Drayton Valley, Alberta, who had the job from 2021 to 2024.
This is Lambert’s second National Hockey League coaching job. He was with the New York Islanders from 2022 to 2024. In 127 games, the Islanders had a record of 61 wins, 46 regulation losses, and 20 losses in extra time for a winning percentage of .559. In his first season with the Islanders in 2022-23, New York made the postseason but lost in six games in the opening round to the Carolina Hurricanes.
As a NHL player, Lambert played 283 regular season games from 1983 to 1989. He was with the Detroit Red Wings from 1983 to 1986, the New York Rangers from 1986 to 1987, and the Quebec Nordiques from 1987 to 1989. As a right winger, Lambert had 58 goals and 66 assists for 124 points. He was a -20 with 521 penalty minutes, 10 power-play points, six game-winning goals and 347 shots on goal. In the playoffs, Lambert had two goals and four assists for six points in 17 games. He had 40 penalty minutes and 21 shots on goal.