The Montreal Canadian would have met Gerard Gallant during his trip last weekend to Toronto, according to what Georges Laraque reported on BPM Sports on Monday.
The former head coach of the New York Rangers and Vegas Golden Knights was reportedly seen in a café in the Queen City with general manager Kent Hughes and CH head coach Martin St-Louis.
As of this writing, it is unknown if the Habs have made an offer to Gallant. However, we can deduce that he would be hired with the aim of supporting St-Louis behind the team’s bench, as the latter participated in the meeting.
Gallant, who was Michel Therrien’s assistant with the Canadiens from 2012 to 2014, has not managed in the NHL since the 2022-2023 season with the Rangers.
Aged 61, Gallant led four NHL teams during his career. He began his career behind the Blue Jackets bench during the 2001-2002 season as an assistant before taking charge of the team during the 2003-2004 campaign.
After losing his job at the start of the 2006-2007 season, he served as an assistant with the New York Islanders before opting for a head coaching position with the Saint John Sea Dogs in the QMJHL. He also led the New Brunswick team to two league championships in three seasons.
He then worked behind the CH bench for two years before agreeing to lead the Florida Panthers. After leading the team to the playoffs in 2015-16, he lost his job after just 22 games the following season.
Gallant led the Golden Knights to the Stanley Cup Final in his first season after being hired in the off-season.
Hired by Rangers in 2021, he managed the club for two campaigns.
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