Vegas Golden Knights Hire Ryan Craig as Coach to Boost Success

Vegas Golden Knights have hired Ryan Craig as their new coach, following a successful period under John Tortorella, who led the team to a 21-8-1 record after taking over with eight games left in the 2025-26 regular season. The Golden Knights had been struggling, going 5-10-2 after the Olympic break, but Tortorella's arrival brought a surge in form, with the team going 7-0-1 in the regular season and 14-8 in the playoffs. Kelly McCrimmon, the team's general manager, praised Tortorella's impact, saying 'he saved our season'. Craig, 44, has been with the Vegas organization since its inception, serving as an assistant coach for six seasons and then as coach of the Henderson Silver Knights in the American Hockey League. He played 198 games in the NHL as a center from 2005-15, including a stint under Tortorella with the Tampa Bay Lightning. McCrimmon said Craig was the team's preferred choice to take over as coach, but they didn't want to rush him into the role, instead giving him time to develop as a coach in the AHL. Craig will have a talented roster at his disposal, with players like Jack Eichel and Mark Stone, and will be expected to build on the team's recent success. The Golden Knights have turned over their roster significantly in recent years, but with Craig at the helm, they will be looking to establish a sense of stability and consistency. Craig's experience as a player and coach will be invaluable in helping the team to achieve their goals. The Golden Knights will be looking to make a strong start to the new season, with Craig's first game in charge likely to be highly anticipated. And with a talented roster and experienced coach, they will be expecting to make a deep run in the playoffs.