New York Rangers expect to hire assistant coaches this week
The New York Rangers continue with their order of business and assistant coaches are soon to be hired. According to Gerard Gallant in a recent interview on The Power Play with Steve Kouleas and Marty Biron, he updated the situation.
Rangers expect to hire assistant coaches this week
“I will get my coaching staff in place in the next week or so,” Gallant revealed on Friday. “[We] want to get down to work, and get ready for the season.” These comments align with the team’s approach since he was officially announced as the new head coach back in late June.
One potential candidate that is most likely to be on his staff is Mike Kelly. He seemed to tip his hand about it when asked at his intro presser.
“There’s no decision yet made on staff,” Gallant answered. “We’re talking to a lot of people, like you said Mike Kelly has been around a long time with my staff, we’ll see where that goes but there’s nothing done with anybody yet. We’re just talking to guys.”
A Vegas Reunion?
Mike Kelly was Gallant’s assistant in Florida and Vegas in the NHL. However, the two also worked in QMJHL with the Saint John Sea Dogs. Kelly was an assistant to Gallant from 2010 to 2012 while there. Kelly has also worked as GM and head coach in various other stops, including winning Gold with Team Canada in 2003 at IIHF World U18. He’s really a great candidate, and the history of success for the two working together is undeniable.
It would also not shock me if during his hiring, Gallant was very strongly opinionated in making Kelly part of his staff. As for the other assistant, Dan Girardi was rumored as a possibility but Don Granato would like him to return to Buffalo.
That leaves Ryan McGill who worked with Gallant and Kelly in Vegas as the next logical candidate. He played for the Blackhawks before getting into the coaching ranks in the OHL and WHL. McGill also has ties to the Blueshirts as the Wolf Pack’s head coach from 2003-2005. So he has ties to the organization.
While the second assistant is no guarantee to be McGill, many feel very strongly Kelly will be a part of this staff.
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