Report: Gallant a 'prime candidate' for Flames' coaching job

Former New York Rangers bench boss Gerard Gallant will be considered a "prime candidate" for the Calgary Flames' head coaching vacancy, TSN's Darren Dreger reported Tuesday.

Gallant coached the Rangers for the last two seasons. He guided them to the Eastern Conference Final in 2022 but was fired after they lost in Round 1 this season.

The 59-year-old spent parts of three seasons as head coach of the Vegas Golden Knights from 2017-20, leading them to a historic Stanley Cup Final appearance in their inaugural campaign.

Gallant also coached the Columbus Blue Jackets (2003-06) and Florida Panthers (2014-2016) for parts of three seasons. In Florida, he helped a young Jonathan Huberdeau find his footing in the NHL. Huberdeau is now the Flames' highest-paid player and struggled mightily in his first season in Calgary under Darryl Sutter, who was fired in May.

Mitch Love, the head coach of the AHL's Calgary Wranglers, is expected to get a good look for the job as well, according to Dreger.