The team from the hockey mecca of the world is adding an experienced coach to its bench.
On Wednesday, the Toronto Maple Leafs announced they have hired Lane Lambert as associate coach.
The team also revealed that Dean Chynoweth will not be back as an assistant coach. Lambert joins the recently hired Craig Berube on the Leafs staff. Berube was hired by Toronto back in May after being fired by the St. Louis Blues during the 2023-24 season.
Lambert was also coaching as recently this past season with the New York Islanders. He coached parts of two seasons on Long Island, leading the team to a 61-46-20 record, and a berth in the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs. The 59-year-old was fired this past January after a disappointing start to the season, with general manager Lou Lamoriello hiring Hall of Fame goaltender Patrick Roy.
Lambert had been with the Isles since the 2018-19 season, serving four years as an associate coach before being promoted to the head job. The Swift Current, Saskatchewan native has been behind the bench in the NHL since 2011, as he has been an assistant coach with the Nashville Predators (2011-14) and Washington Capitals (2014-18). He was on the staff that guided the Washington Capitals to the franchise’s first, and only Stanley Cup in 2018. He then moved on with Barry Trotz to the Islanders.
The former Canadian national team member has also been a head coach at lower levels, serving as the bench boss of the Western Hockey League’s Prince George Cougars (2003-05) and the Milwaukee Admirals (2007-11) of the American Hockey League.
Lambert played professionally for 18 years, making stops in the NHL with the Detroit Red Wings, New York Rangers and Quebec Nordiques. In 283 games, he scored 58 goals and 65 assists, including six points in 17 playoff games.
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