Gerard Gallant may have a familiar face with him behind the Golden Knights’ bench next season.
Per the Columbus Dispatch, John Madden -- currently the head coach of the Blue Jackets’ AHL affiliate in Cleveland -- has drawn interest from Vegas to become Gallant’s assistant.
The two have worked together in the past. Madden was Gallant’s assistant for two years in Florida, including the impressive ’15-16 campaign in which the club won 47 games and qualified for the playoffs.
Madden, 43, was dismissed shortly after that season, in something of a surprise move. His duties in Florida included coaching the defensemen and running the penalty kill.
It didn’t take long for the former Selke winner to find work. Just three months after his dismissal, Madden was hired by Cleveland to replace outgoing bench boss Jared Bednar, who took the head coaching gig in Colorado.
This year Madden led the Monsters to a 39-29-8 record, narrowly missing out on the Calder Cup playoffs.