Former New York Rangers head coach Gerard Gallant is reportedly packing his bags for a coaching stint overseas. After failing to secure another head coaching position in the NHL following his dismissal by the Rangers after the 2022-23 season, Gallant is now expected to join the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL).
NHL insider Pierre LeBrun broke the news earlier this week, though details about Gallant’s exact landing spot in the KHL were initially scarce. However, Russian journalist Daria Tuboltseva of RG later reported that Gallant is set to join Kunlun Red Star—a team based in Beijing, China, that has competed in the KHL since the 2016-17 season. An official announcement is expected soon.
Kunlun Red Star is a franchise in need of a turnaround. The team finished the 2024-25 season with a 28-34-5-1 record, placing last in the Tarasov Division and failing to make the Gagarin Cup Playoffs. For Gallant, this represents a chance to get his coaching career back on track, albeit far from the NHL spotlight. Interestingly, Kunlun’s roster last season included former Rangers defenseman Adam Clendening, further adding a New York connection to Gallant’s next chapter.
Gallant’s journey with the Rangers was a rollercoaster. He became Chris Drury’s first coaching hire after Drury was promoted to general manager in the spring of 2021. However, it’s well-known within hockey circles that Gallant wasn’t Drury’s first choice. The Rangers’ GM initially pursued Mike Sullivan, the highly regarded head coach of the Pittsburgh Penguins at the time, but was unsuccessful in prying him away.
Now, four years later, the Rangers have finally landed Sullivan, who was hired in May and is preparing for his first season behind the Rangers bench. Meanwhile, Gallant is headed halfway across the globe to restart his coaching career in one of the most challenging environments for foreign coaches.
Despite his eventual firing, Gallant left his mark on the Rangers’ record books. His .662 points percentage ranks as the second-best in franchise history, trailing only Mike Keenan, who famously coached the Rangers to their 1994 Stanley Cup victory in his lone season with the team. Gallant led the Rangers to a deep playoff run in 2022, but internal conflicts, inconsistent performances, and unmet expectations led to his exit a year later.
While Gallant’s move to the KHL dominates the Rangers headlines, the fanbase is also buzzing over a viral trade request involving a Rangers player. Speculation continues to swirl online about possible moves before the upcoming season. Though no official trade details have emerged, Rangers supporters are keeping a close eye on social media and insider reports as the offseason heats up.
For now, the Rangers’ coaching carousel has officially come full circle—Sullivan is in, Gallant is out, and the NHL world watches to see how both men will handle their new roles in vastly different hockey landscapes.