Gerard Gallant has been named the head coach of the KHL’s Shanghani Dragons.
The Dragons were previously known as the Kunlun Red Star, before officially rebranding this summer.
The 61-year-old coach takes over for Mikhail Kravets, who was let go after one season on the job.
Throughout his career, Gallant has served as head coach for several teams, including the Columbus Blue Jackets, Florida Panthers, Vegas Golden Knights, and most recently, the New York Rangers.
Gallant coached the Rangers for two seasons from 2021 to 2023.
He led the Blueshirts to the Eastern Conference Final in 2022, but in his second season in New York, the team failed to live up to expectations and ultimately lost in the first round to the New Jersey Devils.
“I don’t know if he’s (Gallant) been in any of these particular interviews this year, I just don’t know,” Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman said. “I have heard he’s eager to prove that when he got let go by the Rangers, It wasn’t only about him, and he wants an opportunity to show people that. We’ll see if he gets an opportunity with teams to talk about that.”
If Gallant plans to one day return to the NHL, this opportunity in the KHL will be a chance for him to put his name back on the coaching radar.
