Rangers Roundup: Gerard Gallant introduction presser set for tomorrow, Kakko-versary, and more
The New York Rangers are set to officially introduce Gerard Gallant as their new head coach tomorrow at 10AM per NY Post’s Mollie Walker. It is expected to be a Zoom conference, and will not be televised at this time.
What Gerard Gallant has said about landing Rangers job
Gerard Gallant was born in Summerside, Prince Edward Island, Canada and is practically a celebrity there. Last weekend he appeared on 102 SPUD FM to talk with host Paul Schurman and spoke about winning Gold with Team Canada.
Gallant was asked about getting to know some of the Rangers players at the World Championship he said, “I didn’t have the [Rangers] job so I didn’t think too much about it.” Blueshirts prospect Braden Schneider was the only potential future Ranger he coached and had some good things to say about him.
“One of the young kids we had was Schneider. He’s an up and coming young player,” Gallant said. “Schneider is a big strong kid. He’s only 19 years of age, so he’s just a young kid. But I was aware of all the players there [Rangers on other teams] – I didn’t have the job then but I knew of them for sure.”
On looking for a job he revealed, “I was out for 16 months, I was talking to different teams out there and going through the process – it’s not easy. You’re hearing lots of rumors that you’re getting another job, until you get that job it’s nerve-wracking.
Finally on the Rangers he said, “Obviously excited!” Gallant made note of the prestige of coaching an Original Six hockey team and what he’s looking forward to. “To get a chance to get down there and coach that team,” Gallant began. “We’ve got some real good young prospects and very good veteran players – so it’s an up and coming team and we’re looking forward to that.”
Happy Kaapo Kakko draft anniversary
Today marks the two year anniversary of the Rangers drafting Kaapo Kakko second overall.
The 6-3 winger was selected in the 2019 Draft and is now 20 years of age. He finished the 2020-21 season with 17 points on the strength of 8 goals in 48 games. Although his numbers don’t jump out at you, Kakko ranks first in goals for all players selected in the 2019 Draft with 19 tallies. He also ranks second in points with 40.
Expect more to come from this young star in the making.
NHL Rumors
The latest NHL Rumors on two big name defenseman on the market. Read about it here.
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