**Lane Lambert Named New Head Coach of the Seattle Kraken**

The Seattle Kraken have officially announced the appointment of Lane Lambert as their new head coach, marking a new chapter in the franchise's history. The 60-year-old replaces Dan Bylsma, who was dismissed after only one season. Lambert becomes the third head coach in the Kraken's relatively brief existence.

Lambert brings a wealth of experience to the role, having previously served as an assistant coach with the Washington Capitals during their triumphant 2018 Stanley Cup run. In addition to his tenure in Washington, he also spent significant time with the New York Islanders, guiding them to two consecutive Eastern Conference finals.

Seattle Kraken General Manager Jason Botterill expressed his excitement over Lambert’s appointment. "We conducted an extensive search and are thrilled to bring Lane on board. His strategy and vision truly impressed us. Lane played a crucial role in the Capitals' Stanley Cup victory and the Islanders' deep playoff runs. We are confident that he will lead this team to success," Botterill commented.

One of the intriguing aspects of Lambert’s hiring is his reunion with former Capitals players Chandler Stephenson, Andre Burakovsky, and Philipp Grubauer, now all key figures in the Kraken roster. This existing synergy could prove advantageous as Lambert integrates into his new role.

Before coming to Seattle, Lambert spent the 2024-25 season as an associate coach with the Toronto Maple Leafs under Craig Berube. Prior to that, he was the head coach for the New York Islanders in the 2022-23 season and part of the 2023-24 season, until he was replaced by Patrick Roy. During his tenure with the Islanders, Lambert posted a respectable 61-46-20 record.

In his statement, Lambert expressed his enthusiasm for joining the Kraken. "I’m thrilled to become the head coach of the Seattle Kraken. This city has incredible fans, and the team possesses a mix of promising young talent and experienced veterans. I want to thank Samantha Holloway, Ron Francis, and Jason Botterill for this opportunity. I can’t wait to get started."

Several other notable coaches were considered for the position, including Mitch Love, David Quinn, Rick Tocchet, Marco Sturm, Jay Woodcroft, and Jay Leach. However, Lambert's combination of experience and vision ultimately made him the ideal choice to lead the Seattle Kraken into the future.