Apr 30, 2018; San Jose, CA, USA; Vegas Golden Knights head coach Gerard Gallant (center) and assistant coaches Mike Kelly (left) and Ryan Craig (right) watch the game against the San Jose Sharks in the third period of game three of the second round of the 2018 Stanley Cup Playoffs at SAP Center at San Jose. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 30, 2018; San Jose, CA, USA; Vegas Golden Knights head coach Gerard Gallant (center) and assistant coaches Mike Kelly (left) and Ryan Craig (right) watch the game against the San Jose Sharks in the third period of game three of the second round of the 2018 Stanley Cup Playoffs at SAP Center at San Jose. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports
The Vegas Golden Knights confirmed on Wednesday that Ryan Craig will helm the team as their new head coach. However, the news garnered its fair share of criticism, and it wasn't directed at Craig.
GM Kelly McCrimmon's announcement meant that Ryan Craig became the team's third coach in roughly the last three months.
On March 29, the Golden Knights fired Bruce Cassidy after the team registered a 3-5-2 record in their last 10 games under him. John Tortorella replaced him and ended the regular season on a high note with 7-0-1 to make the playoffs.
In the Stanley Cup Playoffs, Tortorella oversaw Vegas beating the Utah Mammoth (4-2) and Anaheim Ducks (4-2) in the first and second rounds, respectively. Then they swept the Colorado Avalanche under the 67-year-old in the Conference Final.
However, in the Stanley Cup Final, the Golden Knights lost 4-2 to the Carolina Hurricanes, despite leading the series 2-1 at one stage. They faded drastically in Games 4, 5, and 6, losing 5-3, 4-2, and 3-0, respectively.
With Tortorella’s tenure lasting just over two-and-a-half months, the Golden Knights fans are concerned about their new rookie head coach.
Fans question coaching stability at the Vegas Golden Knights
“How long before you guys fire him, too?” commented one fan. “5 coaches in like 8 years is bonkers,” another fan added.
Ryan Craig has played under John Tortorella with the Tampa Bay Lightning, which McCrimmon pointed out in his comments.
“I know …. he's [John Tortorella] got a lot of regard for Ryan and a lot of respect for him,” McCrimmon said, as per NHL.
Maybe that's why one fan commented, "What Torts did might become a norm. Come March mid teams are calling him to give one last push because he almost did it well till the end."
Meanwhile, others continued to question stability. “Solid coach for the next couple of years before you fire him for a new shiny toy. Am I doing this right?” a supporter sarcastically asked.
However, not everyone was skeptical. “Interesting move to promote from within when you have a Stanley Cup level team. I like the hire, but weird as well,” wrote one fan.
Despite being a rookie as a head coach, he has experience as an assistant coach. Craig was an assistant coach at Vegas for six seasons since their inaugural campaign in 2017-18.
He joined their AHL affiliate, the Henderson Silver Knights, after being involved in the Stanley Cup success in 2023. Across the last three with the Silver Knights, Craig had a 96-95-13 (12 ties) record, and he earned a playoff spot with them earlier this year.
So, will Ryan Craig succeed as the Golden Knights' head coach? Share your prediction with us in the comments.
Written by
Arjun Sharma
Edited by
Sagnik Bagchi