Vegas had 51 regular season wins and captured the Pacific Division. Then they swept the L.A. Kings in the first round - all under Gallant's unflappable leadership. Day in and day out it was the same message: "Work hard and have fun." And while others wanted to look ahead and discuss the standings or potential playoff matchups - Gallant kept the entire organization focused only on the next game. Never the next week or month.
"I'm honored. It's a coaching award for our whole staff. My assistant coaches, video coach and goalie coach have all done an outstanding job," said Gallant. "It's an honor, but it's our whole staff. It's been a perfect year for us so far. Battling hard and now coming into the second round of the playoffs. It's been a perfect storm so far. I think our team has worked hard, we've competed hard. Credit to our players."
Gallant made sure to tip his hat to his fellow nominees.
"Awesome jobs. Bruce [Cassidy] is a great coach and he's done a great job with the Boston team this year. Also, Jared [Bednar] has done an outstanding job with the Colorado team. The Avalanche were so much improved this year, the way they played. So, good for them."
Gallant and the Golden Knights accomplished a lot this season and they've done it without many stars and a roster made up entirely of players other organizations deemed expendable.
"We thought Gerard would be successful in pulling the players together, but having our record be where it was, no one was expecting that," said Golden Knights GM George McPhee. "We thought that he would be a guy who could have the patience to help bring together a bunch of individuals and get us through the early years, but also be the same guy who can get us through the later years when we've progressed and to help us compete for a Stanley Cup. Amazingly, he's sort of done it all in one year."
Gallant was previously a Jack Adams finalist for his work with the Florida Panthers in the 2016-17 season. An outstanding player in his own right - he's got a real feel for what players want in a modern coach.
"Approachable, but demanding," said Golden Knights defenseman Deryk Engelland, when asked to describe Gallant. "He's easy to talk to no matter who you are. He can be hard when needed and the guys hear his message loud and clear. But away from the rink - he's easy to kid around with and you can be yourself."
McPhee says Gallant brings a lot of skills to the job.
"He's very deserving. He's done a terrific job of taking a lot of individuals and making them a team," said McPhee. "It's not one strength. He has a lot of strengths. In terms of all of the technical packages, he's probably underrated. He's very good. With his staff, he delegates really well. That's important," said McPhee.
"With his players, there's a patience and there's a trust. The players know where the line is. He's not a guy to be trifled with. He can bark at people when they deserve to be barked at. It's a lot of things. It's about his leadership, it's about respect when he walks in the room. He knows how to handle players. Coaches either have it, or they don't. he's got that gift. He knows how to handle players and get the maximum out of players individually and work with the group collectively."
