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Gallant’s coaching record year by year and what it means for the Rangers

By Steve Paulus

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - APRIL 01: Head coach Gerard Gallant of the Vegas Golden Knights takes questions during a news conference following the team's 3-1 victory over the Edmonton Oilers at T-Mobile Arena on April 1, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - APRIL 01: Head coach Gerard Gallant of the Vegas Golden Knights takes questions during a news conference following the team's 3-1 victory over the Edmonton Oilers at T-Mobile Arena on April 1, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /
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Columbus Blue Jackets head coach Gerard Gallant complains to the referee . (Photo by Jeff Vinnick/Getty Images)
Columbus Blue Jackets head coach Gerard Gallant complains to the referee . (Photo by Jeff Vinnick/Getty Images) /

The first NHL head coaching job

On January 1, 2004, Columbus General Manager Doug MacLean named Gallant the head coach of the Blue Jackets.  MacLean was doing double duty and in that 2003-04 season he had a record of 9-21-4-3.  Gallant improved on the record, posting a 16-24-4-1 mark.  The Blue Jackets finished fourth in the Central Division and missed the playoffs.

After that season, Gallant had to wait a year due to the 2004-05 lockout and in 2005-06 the Blue Jackets improved to third place with a record of 35-43-4, but still missed the playoffs.

In 2005-06, when the team got off to a slow start, winning only five of their first 15 games, MacLean fired Gallant and replaced him with interim coach Gary Agnew before hiring Ken Hitchcock.

Waiting for the next job

It would be eight years before Gallant would get another shot at an NHL head coaching job, but he kept busy in the interim.   He first served as an a assistant coach on the gold medal winning Team Canada at the 2007 World Championships.

He then joined the New York Islanders as an assistant coach, working with Ted Nolan in the 2007-08 and 2008-09 seasons.

He then was named head coach of the Saint John Sea Dogs of the QMJHL.  In three seasons, the Sea Dogs finished first each year, won two QMJHL championships and the Memorial Cup in 2011.  He was named the CHL coach of the year in 2010 and 2011.

His work in Saint John got him another NHL assistant coaching job, this time with the Montreal Canadiens.  He spent two years in Montreal, assisting Michel Therrien through the 2013-14 season. That’s when the next head coaching job came knocking.

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