Rangers Roundup: Gallant contract details emerge, Nils Lundkvist says hello, and more
The New York Rangers have yet to make the Gerard Gallant hire official. As of now, reports from various sites have confirmed the 57 year-old as the new head coach. Pierre LeBrun is also reporting that the four-year deal is in the neighborhood of $3.5 million per season.
Gallant contract details and next steps
Gerard Gallant’s new $3.5 million deal is likely to set the bar for both Rod Brind’Amour and Rick Tocchet’s next deals. However, the new coach’s first order of business will be to hire assistants.
When you look at Gallant’s recent coaching experience running Team Canada he worked with Mike Kelly and Andre Tourigny. Of the two, Kelly is the most likely since he and Gallant have worked together numerous times.
Kelly was Gallant’s assistant in Florida and Vegas at 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.
Nils Lundkvist says hello
Freshly signed to an ELC, Nils Lundkvist dropped a hello message and is excited about next season in New York.
Per the team’s press release:
NEW YORK, June 3, 2021 – New York Rangers President and General Manager Chris Drury announced today that the team has agreed to terms with defenseman Nils Lundkvist on an entry-level contract.
Lundkvist, 20, skated in 52 games with Lulea in the Swedish Hockey League (SHL) this past season, registering 14 goals and 18 assists for 32 points, along with 30 penalty minutes. He was named the winner of the Salming Trophy in 2020-21, which is awarded annually to the best Swedish-born defenseman in the SHL as selected by Hockey Hall of Famer Borje Salming. Lundkvist established SHL career-highs in several categories in 2020-21, including games played, goals, points, average ice time (21:24), and shots on goal (156). He ranked fifth in the SHL (ranked second among SHL defensemen) in shots on goal in 2020-21, and he also led SHL defensemen in goals and power play goals (eight) this past season. Lundkvist’s 14 goals in 2020-21 were the most by a defenseman in one season as a U21 player or younger in SHL history.
NHL Rumors: Is Mark Scheifele available?
The latest NHL trade rumors are out. Catch up here.
More About:New York Rangers News New York Rangers Features