Kelly McCrimmon reveals why Golden Knights hired Ryan Craig as next head coach

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Kelly McCrimmon reveals why Golden Knights hired Ryan Craig as next head coach originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Vegas Golden Knights were so close to winning the Stanley Cup over the Carolina Hurricanes. This meant that a lot of changes needed to be made in order for them to get back where they just were in the coming years. Changing their head coach was the first order of business. While Coach John Tortorella was able to fill the shoes of Coach Bruce Cassidy well during the postseason, general manager Kelly McCrimmon still looked the other way. Ryan Craig was hired as the next head coach of the squad and the front office had to explain why they made this move.

Golden Knights' McCrimmon explains Craig head coach hiring​

The biggest reason for why Kelly McCrimmon and the rest of the Golden Knights front office gave the head coaching vacancy to Ryan Craig? It all had to do with his familiarity and time spent with the organization, via NHL.com.

"We really wanted to give this opportunity to Ryan Craig, who's been in our organization for nine years. I have pretty strong feelings about where I think our organization needs to go next. Ryan has been in our organization for nine years; six years with our team, three as a head coach in Henderson. He's ready to be an NHL head coach. We'll talk more about that, but that carried the day," the Golden Knights general manager said.

Notably, Coach Craig has been one of the staples in the Golden Knights coaching staff. He has been with the organization since 2017 which was the first year when they entered the NHL. He became a pivotal assistant to Coach Cassidy during their 2023 Stanley Cup-winning run too. After that, the Henderson Silver Knights and the AHL became his next big challenge. Unfortunately, Coach Craig was not able to lead them to a Calder Cup but a Stanley Cup with the Golden Knights could be within reach.

Obviously, the Golden Knights and the NHL are a big step-up from the AHL. But, Coach Craig has been here before and even won the Stanley Cup which is why McCrimmon trusts him.

More Golden Knights News:​

• Golden Knights' Jack Eichel turned into Ben Simmons during Stanley Cup playoffs​

• Why Golden Knights aren't bringing back John Tortorella as head coach​

• Mitch Marner reverted to his Maple Leafs form when the Golden Knights needed him most​

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