While we may not know who the all the players who will play for the Las Vegas Golden Knights we do know who their coach will be. Reports have surfaced that claim the Golden Knights will hire Gerard Gallant. At just 53 years of age, he will be the first head coach of the new NHL expansion franchise.
Gerard Gallant will be the Vegas Golden Knights first NHL head coach. Quality hockey dept in Vegas.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) April 13, 2017
Report: Las Vegas Knights Hire Gerard Gallant
Gallant is the ideal coach for the Golden Nights having been in this position before. The former coach of the Florida Panthers has had experience trying to build a team before. Gallant had been with the Panthers the past two and a half season before being relieved of his duties on November 25th. Gallant was fired from Florida was because of a slow start to the season, as well as creative differences with the organization’s new direction, not because of his record. The Panthers went 96-64-25 with Gallant on the bench and won the 2016 Atlantic Division title.
Before his time in Florida Gallant was in Columbus for three years. In his three years in Columbus Gallant lead the Blue Jackets to a 56-76-4-6. While Columbus did not make the postseason during Gallants time he did lay the framework for successor Ken Hitchcock to do so.
The Golden Knights are creating a smart front office and continued that trend by hiring a coach like Gallant. He is well-respected in the hockey community, and has a reputation for bringing a team together. The respect and adulation he earns from his players will be invaluable for a cobbled-together team like the Golden Knights.
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