Kraken Announce Lane Lambert As Third Coach In Franchise History
New York Islanders head coach Lane Lambert coaches against the Carolina Hurricanes during the first period at UBS Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
The Seattle Kraken have announced Lane Lambert as the third head coach in franchise history, completing an extensive head coaching search.
Lambert has previously worked as the head coach of the New York Islanders before joining the Toronto Maple Leafs staff as an associate coach for the 2024-25 season.
Advertisement
This is the first hiring of Jason Boterill's tenure as the Kraken's general manager, after the organization elected to fire Dan Bylsma after just one season.
'After conducting an extensive search, we're thrilled to announce Lane as our new head coach,' said Botterill in a press release from the Kraken. 'We cast a wide net for suitable candidates. What impressed us throughout the interview process was Lane's strategy and vision for this team. He was an integral part of the Capitals winning the Cup and the Islanders advancing to two straight Eastern Conference finals. We have full confidence in Lane to lead this team behind the bench.'
Lambert has worked extensively as a defensive coach, both working as an assistant and during his time as the Islanders' head coach.
"I'm so excited to become the head coach of the Seattle Kraken," said Lambert. "When it came time to writing a new chapter, I couldn't think of a better fit. Seattle is an incredible sports town, and I've been impressed by the energy of the fans every time I've been there as a visiting coach. This team has a talented group of young players poised to take the next step and a core group of veterans with great leadership qualities. I'd like to thank Samantha Holloway, Ron Francis and Jason Botterill for this opportunity. I can't wait to get started.'
Advertisement
In addition to the Islanders and the Maple Leafs, the 60-year-old has worked with the Washington Capitals and the Nashville Predators. He'll reunite with players Chandler Stephenson, Andre Burakovsky and Philipp Grubauer as members of the 2018 Stanley Cup champion Capitals. He'll also be reunited with captain Jordan Eberle, as the pair spent their time together with the Islanders.
Stay updated with the most interesting Kraken stories, analysis, breaking news and more! Tap the star to add us to your favourites on Google News to never miss a story.
Kraken Granted Permission To Speak With Maple Leafs Associate Coach
Kraken Granted Permission To Speak With Maple Leafs Associate Coach The Seattle Kraken have been granted permission to speak with Toronto Maple Leafs associate coach Lane Lambert, according to Darren Dreger.
Multiple Reports Indicate The Kraken Could Be Closing In On A Head Coach
Multiple Reports Indicate The Kraken Could Be Closing In On A Head Coach It was reported just five days ago that Lane Lambert's name is in the mix for the Seattle Kraken's head coaching job, and recent reports indicate that he is emerging as the front-runner to land the job.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


USA Today
28 minutes ago
- USA Today
Knicks draw up blueprint to beat the Pacers. Can it save their season?
Knicks draw up blueprint to beat the Pacers. Can it save their season? Show Caption Hide Caption Thunder storm past Timberwolves in WCF, punch ticket to NBA Finals The Oklahoma City Thunder looked as dominant as ever after closing out the Timberwolves 4-1 in the Western Conference Finals, trip to NBA Finals awaits. Sports Pulse NEW YORK — It was always going to be on defense. For the New York Knicks to stave off elimination, to get back in this Eastern Conference finals, they needed to somehow curb the Indiana Pacers. New York, for at least one game Thursday night, did exactly that, becoming the first team this postseason to hold Indiana to fewer than 100 points for a 111-94 victory. The question for the Knicks now becomes whether this is something that can be replicated — whether Game 5 revealed a blueprint they can use to even the series at three games apiece. 'In this series, we haven't lacked scoring, it has been more about us not stopping them from scoring,' Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns said after the game. 'I think tonight we did a great job of upping the pressure and making sure we were making it more difficult for them to get open looks and get those shots that they got comfortable with last game. It's a testament to our team answering the call.' From the tip, New York harassed Indiana's starters, flying around the court and swarming. New York held the Pacers' starters to just 13 made field goals on 33.3% shooting. Forward Pascal Siakam was the only starter to reach double-figures in scoring, and he recorded just 15 points. Indiana's entire first five combined for 37 points; its bench poured in 57. Pacers All-Star point guard Tyrese Haliburton, who was coming off a historic 32-point, 15-assist, 12-rebound triple-double in Game 4, was limited to eight points and six assists on 2-of-7 shooting. In fact, Aaron Nesmith (eight attempts), Andrew Nembhard (eight), Obi Toppin (10) and Benedict Mathurin (10) all attempted more shots than Haliburton did. While wing defenders Mikal Bridges and OG Anunoby led the defensive charge — particularly on Haliburton — another player not known for his defense also stepped up. Throughout this series, point guard Jalen Brunson had been a target for Indiana, which often set up pick-and-rolls to attack Brunson, who vowed after Game 5 to amp up his effort on defense. 'We picked up our intensity a little bit,' Brunson told reporters after the game. 'We paid attention to detail better as a team. The little things go a long way.' Little things like showing harder when Indiana tried to get Haliburton open in space, clogging the lanes he normally would have used to drive. Little things like sprinting back on transition defense to take away Indiana's outlet passes and throw-ahead opportunities. 'They were just more aggressive than us from the jump,' Siakam said. 'They brought the fight to us and I just don't think we brought it enough. 'It was all about will and energy.' Ahead of Game 6 Saturday in Indianapolis, the Pacers will tweak their operation and make adjustments. For example, coach Rick Carlisle said, 'there's more things I'm going to have to do to help' Haliburton get easier attempts to shoot. But this was the very best version of the Knicks. When their defensive effort is like it was Thursday, it feeds other facets of their game. They're able to generate turnovers and increase their own output in transition, which leads to a barrage of points in the paint — an area where New York bullied Indiana 60-34. That increased effort manifests on the glass, too, where New York claimed a +9 advantage. That, then, feeds second-chance points, where the Knicks outscored the Pacers by a margin of 13-7. 'We're going to have to be even better next game,' Towns said, 'if we expect to have our season continue.'

Miami Herald
30 minutes ago
- Miami Herald
Jalen Brunson, Knicks earn trip back to Indiana for Game 6
Karl-Anthony Towns knew where the Eastern Conference finals stood as he evaluated the pain in his left knee prior to the Thursday game. The New York Knicks were staring at elimination, and the consequences supplied Towns with a clear course of action. 'I looked at the game and it was 'Game 5, do or die,'' Towns said. 'That was pretty much all I needed to see.' Towns and Jalen Brunson were both on top of their games and New York staved off elimination with a convincing 111-94 victory over the visiting Indiana Pacers in Game 5. The Knicks, who cut their deficit to 3-2 in the best-of-seven series, will have the opportunity to tie when the teams meet Saturday night in Indianapolis. Brunson scored 32 points on 12-of-18 shooting and Towns played through his injury to record 24 points and 13 rebounds as the third-seeded Knicks led wire to wire. 'I just feel like we played better,' Brunson said. 'We played to our standards.' Towns believes the Knicks have to play with the same conviction in Game 6. 'We have no room for error,' Towns said. 'Our backs are against the wall and every game is do or die. If we don't bring that energy or execution, our season will be over.' Bennedict Mathurin registered 23 points and nine rebounds off the bench for the fourth-seeded Pacers. Pascal Siakam had 15 points, and reserve Obi Toppin added 11. Indiana star Tyrese Haliburton was largely silent, finishing with eight points, on 2-of-7 shooting, and six assists. Two nights earlier, he had 30 points, 15 assists, 12 rebounds and zero turnovers in a stellar Game 4 effort. 'Rough night for me. I've got to be better setting the tone and getting downhill,' Haliburton said. 'I feel I didn't do a great job of that. ... They picked up the pressure a little bit more and applied more as the game went on. Put it on me. I got to be better in Game 6.' The Knicks shot 49.4 percent from the field in Game 5, including 8 of 29 (27.6 percent) from 3-point range. Josh Hart had 12 points and 10 rebounds, Mikal Bridges also scored 12 points, and OG Anunoby had 11 points. Indiana connected on 40.5 percent of its shots and was 10 of 30 from behind the arc while committing 19 turnovers. The Pacers trailed by as many as 22 points. 'It was a bad start. We never had the lead,' Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said. 'There were a multitude of things going wrong. There were stretches in the game where we got a little bit of traction but never enough.' The Knicks led by 11 at halftime but pushed the edge to 72-52 on two free throws by Anunoby with 6:32 remaining in the third quarter. Indiana displayed life with a 12-2 run to move within 74-64 on two foul shots by Mathurin with 4:09 left in the period. Brunson had six points, including a four-point play, as New York answered with 12 straight points. Miles 'Deuce' McBride hit a jumper to cap it and make it 86-64 with 2:12 remaining. The Pacers responded with a 9-2 burst before Bridges sank a 12-footer with 1.8 seconds left to give the Knicks a 90-73 advantage entering the final stanza. New York led by 20 in the fourth before Indiana scored nine of the next 10 points to creep within 96-84 with 8:15 remaining. However, Hart answered with consecutive baskets and Bridges hit a jumper to make it an 18-point margin with 5:41 remaining. Towns' driving basket made it 106-90 with 2:44 left, and Carlisle waved the white flag by removing Haliburton, Mathurin and Siakam from the contest. 'We've been a resilient team all year,' Siakam said. 'We've shown all year we can fight and we can bounce back. Our strength is sticking together as a team ... 'It's always been us against the world, and that's not going to change. Nobody wanted us here, but every barrier that was there, we broke that. We're up 3-2 in the series and we're going to go back home.' Towns had 17 points and 10 rebounds in the first half as New York led 56-45 at the break. Siakam had nine points in the half for the Pacers. Indiana trailed by two early in the second quarter before New York rattled off 14 of the next 16 points to take a 48-34 lead with 5:07 left in the half. The 14-point edge was the Knicks' largest before intermission. Field Level Media 2023 - All Rights Reserved

Miami Herald
31 minutes ago
- Miami Herald
After Knicks' Game 5 rout, pressure shifts to Pacers for Game 6
The New York Knicks responded with their backs to the wall and now are focused on forcing a Game 7 of the Eastern Conference finals. Suddenly, the Indiana Pacers are the team facing more pressure entering the pivotal Game 6 on Saturday night in Indianapolis. Indiana holds a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven series. However, clinching a spot in the NBA Finals for the first time since 2000 will be a much easier endeavor in front of the home fans. Game 7, if needed, would be in New York. 'We understand what the stakes are,' Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton said. 'We're fine. There's no need to panic or anything.' The third-seeded Knicks were clearly the better team in Thursday's 111-94 home victory. New York never trailed, shut down Haliburton, dominated the interior and forced 20 turnovers to deliver a convincing victory. Jalen Brunson had 32 points, five rebounds and five assists and Karl-Anthony Towns added 24 points and 13 rebounds. Towns thrived while playing with an ailing left knee. 'This team is special,' Towns said. 'In this series, we haven't been able to close out games we wanted to. We've had moments of brilliance and (Thursday) we showed the world how special we are.' New York's task of evening the series will be much easier if it can once again slow Haliburton, the leader of the fourth-seeded Pacers. Haliburton delivered a performance for the ages in Game 4 when he had 32 points, 15 assists and 12 rebounds without a turnover, the first time a player achieved a 30-15-10-0 stat line in NBA postseason history. He also made five 3-pointers and had four steals in the 130-121 home triumph. But Game 5 was a totally different experience for Haliburton. New York hounded him from the outset and mixed its defenders to keep the Indiana star off-balance. Haliburton had just eight points, six assists and two rebounds. He took just seven shots, sinking two. 'As a team, we need to have a level of balance,' Indiana coach Rick Carlisle said. 'I'll look at it. There are more things I need to do to help him. I will take responsibility for that and we'll see where we can improve.' New York's Mikal Bridges fueled the defensive charge but had plenty of help. 'Just starting with Mikal, wanting to pick up full court, make anything that (Haliburton) was doing hard,' Knicks backup guard Miles McBride said. 'Whether it was denying him, trying to stay into his body or guys being up, just trying to make it hard.' Meanwhile, the Knicks outscored Indiana 60-34 in the paint in Game 5 as Towns repeatedly drove for baskets. Perhaps more startling was that Indiana's edge in fastbreak points was limited to 16-15; over the first four games, the Pacers held a whopping 65-23 advantage. 'I'm just happy with the way we responded, honestly,' Brunson said. 'We came out and had some energy to the way we played. I'm very proud of what we did, and we have to try to replicate it.' Brunson made 12 of 18 shots while notching his fourth 30-point outing of the series. He is averaging 33 points in the series. Towns averages 25.4 points and 11.8 rebounds. For Indiana, Haliburton averages 21 points, 10 assists and six rebounds. Pascal Siakam is also faring well with a 23.6-point average. Siakam wants to see the Pacers raise their level of play on Saturday. 'They played harder than us,' Siakam said of Game 5. 'It's OK. We played hard, but they played harder.' Field Level Media 2025 - All Rights Reserved