The Vegas Golden Knights have accelerated their process to hire their inaugural head coach, owner Bill Foley told Steve Carp of the Las Vegas Review-Journal:
“We might have our hire made before the end of the season. At this point, I’d say it’s 50-50 we have our head coach in place before the season’s over.”
Originally, the expectation was that a coach would be hired following the regular season and potentially before the upcoming expansion draft in June. The fact that the timeline is accelerating suggests that the Golden Knights have their preferred target in mind and may have to act sooner rather than later in order to get their top choice.
If that is indeed the case, one of the options that would be among the favorites is former Florida bench boss Gerard Gallant. The team asked for permission to talk to him and it’s believed they received the green light to do so. Foley wouldn’t confirm or deny that Gallant is who they were hoping to hire:
“No comment. But I believe we’re going to get a very good coach.”
Carp suggests that the Islanders’ decision to let Jack Capuano go as their head coach is what likely precipitated the decision to try to move up the timetable to hire a coach. Not only does their decision mean that there is another team currently with a vacancy (Doug Weight is filling in on an interim basis but isn’t believed to be a strong candidate to take the role permanently) but Gallant has history with New York, having served as an assistant with the team from 2007-2009.
Whether it’s Gallant, Capuano, or someone else, it appears that GM George McPhee has a desired hire in mind and may be moving to lock that coach up earlier than originally expected.
I can’t wait til they start playing. Philly native now living in Utah. So yes I will be making that drive to see my flyers play
Heck I will go see many games during the year
Hawks
Flyers
Sharks
Oliers
Rangers
I cant wait until they play either! I am from the CA Bay Area planning on going to Vegas for the first Sharks game there. Its good to see the Sharks are a team that ppl want to see. You being from the east coast thats cool even though you live in Utah now. Sharks are rarely talked about even in CA. If Burns doesn’t win Norris the trophy system is rigged for the east coast.
Gallant is a coach you can build a team around. Though I wouldn’t make it too hastily, a lot of talented head coaches out there that are available or have the possibility to become available.