The uncle of Finland’s NHL promise got the NHL head coaching job

Lane Lambert is the new head coach of the Seattle Kraken.

Lane Lambert, 60, is the new head coach of the NHL team Seattle Kraken, the club says.

The Canadian worked on the Toronto Maple Leafs coaching staff last season. Before joining Toronto, Lambert served as the head coach of the New York Islanders for about a season and a half (2022–2024).

Lambert is a familiar face behind the NHL bench. He has worked in various NHL organizations since 2011.

He has served as an assistant coach for the Nashville Predators (2011–14), the Washington Capitals (2014–18) and the Islanders (2018–22). Lambert moved from assistant coach to head coach of the Islanders.

Lambert is working with several Finnish players in Seattle. The Kraken are represented by Kaapo Kakko, Eeli Tolvanen, Jani Nyman and Ville Ottavainen. Ottavainen and Nyman made their NHL debuts this season.

Lambert is the uncle of Finnish NHL prospect Brad Lambert, 21. Brad Lambert plays for the Winnipeg Jets organization. He played five games in the NHL this season.