After Final Loss, Vegas Golden Knights Turn to Rookie Coach
The Vegas Golden Knights, following their Stanley Cup Final defeat, have named Ryan Craig as head coach, marking his first NHL head coaching job.
The Vegas Golden Knights have announced Ryan Craig as their new head coach after losing the Stanley Cup Final 4-2 to the Carolina Hurricanes. Craig, who spent the last three seasons coaching the team's AHL affiliate, the Henderson Silver Knights, takes over the NHL bench for the first time.
Craig joined the Golden Knights organization before their inaugural season in 2017 and served as an assistant coach for six seasons, including the 2023 championship run under Bruce Cassidy. He then became head coach of the AHL team.
During his playing career, Craig appeared in 198 NHL games, recording 63 points (32 goals, 31 assists) for the Tampa Bay Lightning, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Columbus Blue Jackets.
The Golden Knights fired head coach Bruce Cassidy at the end of the regular season and hired John Tortorella on a short-term basis, which led to a Stanley Cup Final appearance. However, Tortorella will not return. The only NHL team still without a head coach is the Edmonton Oilers. Edmonton had sought permission to interview Cassidy but was denied. They have also approached Mike Babcock, but any decision awaits the outcome of an investigation.
