Stephen Wyno

The Washington Capitals and coach Peter LaViolette have decided to part ways after the team missed the playoffs for the first time in almost a decade.

General manager Brian McClellan announced Friday, less than 24 hours after the Capitals’ season ended, a decision he described as mutual: Laviolette’s contract was due to expire.

“I would like to thank Peter for his leadership and dedication to our organization over the last three seasons,” McClellan said in a statement. He has guided the team through many difficult situations during his tenure as CEO. We wish him the best moving forward.”

LaViolette, 58, has coached the Capitals for the past three seasons, making the playoffs in each of his first two seasons and extending the organization’s postseason streak to eight years. They lose in the first round every time and have not won a series since lifting the Stanley Cup in 2018 under Barry Trotts.

Washington went 220-115-78 in the regular season under LaViolette, who led Carolina to the Cup in 2006 and two teams to the finals, Philadelphia in 2010 and Nashville in 2017.

McClellan, President Dick Patrick, and owner Ted Leonsis begin the search for the eighth coach in Alex Ovechkin’s NHL career.

Ovechkin is 73 goals away from breaking Wayne Gretzky’s career record. He turned 38 in September and has three years left on his contract.

Leonsis told Ovechkin that the longtime Russian captain would not rebuild while chasing Gretzky’s record. LaViolette’s replacement keeps the Capitals winning with an aging roster and limited potential for significant changes due to a long-term deal and a small increase in his 2023-24 salary to his cap and will be tasked with continuing to score goals.

If the front office were to pick a first-time NHL head coach, former Washington assistant Spencer Carberry and former captain Jeff Halpern (two-time Cup-winning staff member of John Cooper in Tampa Bay), who are currently in Toronto, would be the two to look at. is done. Most likely candidate.

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