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Vegas Golden Knights: Possible Head Coach Candidates

By Richard Cardinale

GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 07: Head coach Jack Capuano of the New York Islanders looks on from the bench against the Arizona Coyotes at Gila River Arena on January 7, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/NHLI via Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 07: Head coach Jack Capuano of the New York Islanders looks on from the bench against the Arizona Coyotes at Gila River Arena on January 7, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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The Vegas Golden Knights have options for franchise’s first Head Coach.

Vegas Golden Knights General Manager George McPhee has one of the toughest jobs in the National Hockey League now. He must assemble a coaching staff, NHL roster, farm system and medical staff in a very short order. One of those things McPhee talked about today in an interview with Sportsnet Hockey Central was the Head Coach job.

McPhee highlighted that there is a “short list” of coaches they’ve interviewed . McPhee explained his reasoning for this. “I didn’t want people’s names out there.” “Our plan all along was to take our time” said the Vegas Golden Knights General Manager.

McPhee doesn’t sound like he’s ready to hire a coach just yet. Which is the right move for the organization. For other franchises, Head Coaches come and go with the exception of a few coaches that have long tenures with their clubs. As an expansion franchise, teams must take their time finding their coaches that are built for the short and long-term.

So just who do the Vegas Golden Knights have on their mind? McPhee said theirs only a short list of Coaches they’ve interviewed. Here’s my short list of Head Coach candidates:

Jack Capuano

Capuano has seven years of Head Coaching experience under his belt.  His record of 227-192-64 and three playoff appearances is nothing to sneeze at. Capuano’s style of coaching is more of a dump and chase, grind it out kind of game.

He makes sure his players are set and ready to go at the opening faceoff. His style will only work if there are physical players in his lineup. Losing  physical presence Matt Martin and big bodied Kyle Okposo ultimately doomed him.

Capuano would be a good choice as the teams first Head Coach. The players love to play for Capuano. I’m not sure if he’ll be a Stanley Cup winning coach but this is a good first choice for the Golden Knights. If he’s chosen, he needs some physical forces on his roster for his system to work. I think he’s the front-runner to be the first Golden Knights Head Coach.

Gerard Gallant

Another experienced Head Coach well-known around the league.  With six years of head coaching split between the Columbus Blue Jackets and Florida Panthers, he collected a record of 152-140-4-31 with one playoff appearance. Gallant’s system of coaching ranges more to free play than a defensive style of play.

Gallant is a fan of using analytics to coach games. He himself said it’s not everything but it’s a tool he uses. The downside to Gallant is being too brutally honest. Gallant got his opinion out there on more than one occasion which led to him getting fired by the Florida Panthers. In his final year with the Panthers he finished 11-9-1.

Gallant could be the guy George McPhee gives the key to the castle to. But I’m not totally sure if he would be the best choice to coach a brand new franchise. Although his offensive mind could be valuable to new team. Perhaps he would be more appetizing as an assistant coach to run a powerplay.

Michel Therrien

Therrien has made the playoffs the most out of anyone on my short list. In eight years, Therrien’s combined coaching record is 406-303-23-82. The Quebec native likes to coach a safe style of play, will use the dump and chase to generate offense and will play the trap in his defensive end.

Therrien is a very good motivator in the locker room as well. The downfall for Therrien coached teams was the inability of creating offensive opportunities and putting down his players often. He got absolutely slammed in Montreal for those reasons.

This coach made it to the playoffs six times and won an Eastern Conference Championship, but that doesn’t mean he’s the right choice to coach this hockey club. I’d look elsewhere if I’m George McPhee. Now let’s pause a minute and take a look back the Michel Therrien versus Paul MacLean feud back in 2013.

Paul MacLean

Speaking of MacLean, this would be my personal pick. MacLean came from a fantastic staff in Detroit which led to him getting a Head Coaching job in Ottawa. MacLean’s combined coaching record is 114-90-35 and led the Senators to two playoff appearances.

MacLean always works with young players and knows how they can develop  and be better players. The Vegas Golden Knights could need something like that early on. MacLean’s style of coaching is more of a run and gun offensive style of play and who doesn’t love that? The problem with that is breakdowns, odd man rushes and  breakaway’s also going the other way.

I feel that MacLean would be great choice for Vegas. MacLean is currently an Assistant Coach with the Anaheim Ducks but I’m sure he would he take the opportunity of Head Coaching position if Vegas approaches him.

Next: What Are Some Possible Locations For An AHL Affiliate For The Vegas Golden Knights?

So there you have it, those are my short list of coaches. If George McPhee goes out and gets Ken Hitchcock, I’d be totally shocked. Hitchcock himself said this would be his final year of coaching which is why I left him off this list. If I had to rank my list I’d say Capuano and Gallant would lead the pack with Therrien and MacLean in the rear view. Who do you think should be the first Vegas Golden Knights Head Coach?

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