Los Angeles Kings

For Gallant, New Team Is Old News; Foley Doubles Down on Raiders
April 13, 2017, 7:46 PM ET [45 Comments]
Sheng Peng
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The challenge of building the sport from the ground-up isn't for every coach.

For Gerard Gallant, however, this is a hard hat that he's worn before.

As a player, he toiled for the second-year Tampa Bay Lightning at the cavernous Thunderdome. As an assistant coach, he helped guide the Columbus Blue Jackets' inaugural campaign. And now as head coach, he will lead the expansion Vegas Golden Knights this fall.

"One of the things that we want to do in Las Vegas with our team," said Owner Bill Foley during Gallant's introductory press conference this afternoon, "is to make sure we're embedded in the community.

"He's going to be supportive of it."

Gallant's affability will go a long way toward engaging the community. When pressed about his owner's aggressive forecast for making the postseason in three seasons, he deadpanned, "First time I've heard that."

Foley observed, "He has the right type of personality for our team."

Gallant himself noted that his comfort with the expansion experience didn't really factor into his decision to come to the desert.

But he shared fond memories of his time with the Blue Jackets, who finished 13th in the Western Conference in 2000-01.

"You look back at those times in Columbus. The fans were excited, the building was exciting every night.

"We didn't have a whole lot of success early on there, but I know one thing: When we came to the rink, it was fun. They worked hard, they competed hard."

There are greater expectations than just good times in Vegas in 2017-18 though.

"We're going to be ahead of that team because of the way the Expansion Draft is set up," explained Gallant. "We'll have more top-end players than they had at that time."

***

General Manager George McPhee admitted that Gallant's expansion background wasn't all that intriguing. "We primarily wanted an experienced coach because experienced coaches, usually, they're better with their second team or their third team."

Gallant concurred, reflecting on his stints as head coach with Columbus (2004-06) and Florida (2014-16):

"I had a lot more confidence [in Florida]. I coached two-and-a-half years in Columbus...was I ready at that time to coach? I'm not sure.

"You make your decisions, but you're not 100% sure. The second time around [in Florida], I felt great from the first day. I was confident in every decision that I had to make."

***

HockeyBuzz: You mentioned on the podium that hiring Gallant was a "very interesting process." Can you elaborate?

Bill Foley: [The coaching search] was a little more elongated [process]. Because George was always interested in waiting through the season. Just to see what evolved and what developed.

And Gerard developed early.

We tried to make sure that Gerard knew he was right there at the top of the list. He was the guy that we were really interested in. But we had go through a process. And he was very patient. And I think he may have turned down a job or two in the meantime.

But he hung in there.

HB: If you had your choice, would you have hired Gerard much earlier than now?

BF: Not really. I was with George on this.

I met with [Gerard] in January. I liked him. I thought he would be a terrific asset to the team.

I thought he would represent our team very well. So I was on board.

I talked to a couple different guys. I liked them all. If it had been someone that I felt was not a team player, was not going to be a good add, was going to be a problem with ego, I would've told George.

But Gerard is not. Gerard is my kind of guy.

HB: You mentioned a couple weeks ago that Las Vegas could've spent $750 million dollars better than on the Raiders. Have you reconsidered that statement?

BF: Absolutely not. I'm not a political guy. I'm just an observer. If I had $750 million dollars to spend and it was coming out of the community, I'd spend it on firefighters, policemen, and teachers. I'd have the best school system in the country. The best police force. And the best firefighters.

$750 million dollars is a lot, and now I understand it's up to $900 [million].

So no, I wouldn't spend it on the Raiders. I'd spend it on the community.

HB: How much would you have spent on the Raiders?

BF: I wouldn't have spent anything. If they really want to be here, they should come on down and pay for it themselves.

HB: Like you did?

BF: Just like we did.