Ex-Rangers head coach Gerard Gallant reportedly set to take on new coaching role
The Spengler Cup is an international hockey competition in Davos, Switzerland that dates back to 1923.
The first match took place when Berliner SC battled against Oxford University. The storied tournament continues again this year, and a former Ranger head coach will be taking part.
The first Spengler Cup match ever was Oxford University against Berliner SC. The tournament started with four participants; in addition to Oxford and Berlin with the Vienna EV and the HC Davos. Cambridge University joins on January 2 and then plays against the rest of the teams. In 1924, 15 teams competed for victory. With this tournament, which is strong in terms of both numbers and quality, Davos will become the ice hockey centre of Europe.
According to NHL Insider Pierre LeBrun former Blueshirts coach Gerard Gallant, will be the head coach of Canada. Veteran NHLers Joe Thornton and Brad Pascall will manage the roster for the Spengler Cup.
Gallant hasn't held a coaching gig since 2022-2023, where he took the Rangers to the 1st round of the Stanley Cup playoffs, unable to defeat the rival New Jersey Devils.
During his short, 2-year tenure, Gallant took the team to the playoffs both seasons but was unable to get further than the Eastern Conference Finals(2022 vs the Tampa Bay Lightning).
Which seems to be the status quo for the Rangers lately.
Can Gerard Gallant put up a good enough show with the Spengler Cup to give NHL GMs an idea that he still has what it takes to coach in the best league in the world?
Or is this Gallant figuring out his time as an NHL coach has ended and instead will shift his priorities to Amateur, International, and Minor league opportunities?
Anything we say would be nothing more than speculation, but it is interesting to think about.
He may not have been a perfect coach, but he led the Vegas Golden Knights, and New York Rangers to winning seasons, absent a Stanley Cup.
