Vegas Golden Knights head coach Ryan Craig heads into the new season with a different approach from the front office. Sure, he's not a seasoned veteran like John Tortorella or Bruce Cassidy. But he's vastly different from what general manager Kelly McCrimmon was looking for, especially with a veteran roster.
The Golden Knights are going with an in-house option who has been with the team since "Day F*****g One." McCrimmon knows what he's getting with a proven commodity instead of a controversial figure who walks out on the media. On top of that, he can prove himself to be a viable option for years to come.
That's especially true in the age of head coaches being fired after two to three seasons. The NHL has become a league of shortened attention spans, where people suddenly forget that you've won a Stanley Cup three seasons prior. If you don't perform, well, you're relieved of your duties.
So, everyone knows what the expectations are for Craig in his first season. But how can he win over the fans in his first season? There are three steps that he can achieve to establish some goodwill with the fanbase. Here's how that happens in the 2026-27 season.
Don't get involved in any controversies
John Tortorella turned plenty of skeptics within the Golden Knights' fanbase into believers after the regular season concluded. He led the team to a record of 7-0-1 in their last eight games and the Pacific Division crown.
Then, the incident after Game 6 of the Second Round happened.
Suddenly, the perception around the former Stanley Cup winner changed. People turned on him, with more fans turning on him after questionable decisions during the Stanley Cup Final. Avoid all of this and you're one step ahead of your predecessor.
Handle the murky months of the Vegas Golden Knights' season
Everyone knows that the Golden Knights aren't exactly the best during the months of January and February. This is when the injuries pile up and the team's skating towards the break. However, this is the perfect time for Craig to rally the troops.
Establish a next-man-up mentality and ensure that the team doesn't check out before the break starts. The Pacific Division has some up-and-coming teams waiting in the wings and life won't be easier than last season. Craig can show that he's capable of getting his veterans on board for the long haul and win the fan's trust.
Win the Stanley Cup
Duh.
That should be priority No. 1 on winning the fanbase over. Believe it or not, he wouldn't be the first Golden Knights head coach to do this. Bruce Cassidy did it in 2022-23 after Pete DeBoer was canned during the summer of 2022.
Even in the age of head coaches getting prematurely fired, Craig can buy himself some time with a Stanley Cup win. He has the roster that can take him there and the general manager who can push him past the finish line. All Craig has to do is trust the system and he'll carry the team to its second Stanley Cup.
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