Recent reports suggest the Los Angeles Kings are nearing the end of their coaching search, with the organization believed to be down to just a handful of finalists.
However, before Ken Holland makes a final decision, there are still a couple of experienced coaches with impressive NHL résumés who deserve consideration. Here are two long-shot candidates the Kings should consider interviewing before the search officially concludes.
Gerard Gallant (former New York Rangers head coach)
Former New York Rangers, Vegas Golden Knights, Florida Panthers, and Columbus Blue Jackets head coach Gerard Gallant is another experienced candidate who could make sense for the Kings.
Few available coaching candidates can match Gallant's combination of experience and postseason success. He has won 60 playoff games as an NHL head coach and guided the Golden Knights to the Stanley Cup Final during the franchise's inaugural season in 2018.
The biggest question surrounding Gallant is whether his time away from coaching has hurt his chances of returning behind an NHL bench. Even so, his postseason résumé and history of quickly improving teams make him an intriguing option if the Kings decide to expand their search.
Gallant is definitely a longshot coaching candidate on the carousel this offseason for the Kings. He hasn't been active coaching in the league in this past few years since he was the Rangers head coach through the end of the 2022-23 season.
Bruce Cassidy (former Vegas Golden Knights head coach)
I truly don't think there would be a better or more qualified head coaching candidate to help the Kings win immediately in the Western Conference this upcoming season than former Golden Knights head coach Bruce Cassidy.
The problem for both the Kings and Edmonton Oilers is that the Golden Knights appear to be blocking Cassidy from interviewing or speaking to other teams in the Pacific Division on the coaching carousel early this offseason.
Not only did Cassidy get the Golden Knights the franchise's first-ever Stanley Cup Championship in 2023, but he also made the postseason for nine consecutive years as a head coach before this past season with Vegas. Cassidy's aggressive offensive approach and proven postseason track record make him an appealing fit for a Kings team searching for more playoff success.
Cassidy's teams have consistently been among the NHL's most structured and successful groups throughout his coaching career. He has demonstrated an ability to blend defensive responsibility with offensive production, a balance that could appeal to a Kings team searching for more postseason success without sacrificing its identity.
If the Golden Knights relent on blocking Cassidy from speaking to the Kings and/or the Oilers in the Pacific Division on the coaching carousel this offseason, he could heat back up on the carousel for Los Angeles.
The Kings may ultimately move forward with one of the candidates already deep in the interview process. However, both Gallant and Cassidy possess the experience, playoff success, and leadership qualities that would justify at least a conversation before Holland makes his final decision.
While Gallant offers extensive experience and a history of quickly turning teams into contenders, Cassidy would likely represent the higher-upside hire based on his recent success and Stanley Cup pedigree.
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