The Calgary Flames are beginning to interview head coaching candidates, and reached out to former New York Rangers head coach Gerard Gallant to gauge whether he wants the job. The answer is yes, so he will be part of the Flames' interview process at some point, according to Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic.
Gerard Gallant had been the coach of the Rangers for two seasons, and was let go after the team lost in the first round to the New Jersey Devils in seven games. It was an ugly exit for a team that was loaded with talent and added to their roster with Vladimir Tarasenko and Patrick Kane ahead of the trade deadline. The first year of Gallant's Rangers tenure, the Rangers finished second in the division and went to the Eastern Conference Final, losing to the Lightning in six games.
The Flames are looking for a coach who can bring them back to the Stanley Cup playoffs. It was a surprise that a team with as much talent as they had missed out, especially in the western conference. After the season, Darryl Sutter was fired, ending his second stint with the organization.
Gallant has coached the Columbus Blue Jackets, Florida Panthers and Vegas Golden Knights in addition to the Rangers, and has never spent more than three years with one team. He reached the Stanley Cup Final in 2018 in the first year of the Golden Knights' existence.
It will be intriguing to see how Gallant fares in the interview process, and if he can land on his feet quickly after leaving the Rangers.
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