Vegas Golden Knights name Ryan Craig as new head coach after Tortorella exit
The Vegas Golden Knights have promoted AHL affiliate boss Ryan Craig to become their new head coach following the departure of John Tortorella.
The 44-year-old takes charge of the NHL outfit just days after their season ended with a 3-0 defeat by the Carolina Hurricanes in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Finals.
He steps up from the Henderson Silver Knights, becoming the first homegrown coach to lead the Nevada-based franchise.
Deep roots with general manager
The former centre enjoyed an eight-year playing career in the NHL before transitioning into a coaching role in 2017.
While he never represented Vegas on the ice, his relationship with general manager Kelly McCrimmon stretches back to junior hockey.
The newly appointed boss captained the Brandon Wheat Kings in the WHL while McCrimmon served as the team’s general manager and co-owner.
Vegas initially brought the Canadian on board as an assistant coach during their inaugural 2017-18 campaign, a position he held until taking the Henderson job last year.
Tortorella’s brief but impactful tenure
The head coaching transition marks the third change behind the Vegas bench since late March.
The front office dismissed Bruce Cassidy with eight games remaining in the regular season, turning to the veteran Tortorella on a short-term agreement.
Under the 2004 Stanley Cup winner’s guidance, the team surged into the postseason and eliminated the Utah Mammoth, Anaheim Ducks and Colorado Avalanche.
Despite taking a 2-1 series lead in the finals, they ultimately succumbed to a resilient Carolina squad who ended the series with three consecutive victories.
Tight salary cap challenges ahead
Craig inherits a talented core featuring established stars like Jack Eichel, Mark Stone and Mitch Marner, who remain under team control for the upcoming season.
However, McCrimmon and his staff face significant financial hurdles before free agency opens on 1 July.
The organisation reportedly possesses just $4.625m in salary cap space while needing to address multiple unrestricted free agents, including recently acquired defenceman Rasmus Andersson.