NHL Rumors: Former NY Rangers Coach & Western Conf. Team Have "Mutual Interest"

Hang on tight — the NHL coaching carousel is starting to spin at a hectic pace this week. Following a couple of big coaching moves in Nashville and Washington on Tuesday, other teams are getting their ducks in order to line up their next bench bosses. 

According to NHL Insider Pierre LeBrun, "the Calgary Flames reached out to Gerard Gallant to gauge his interest in potentially coaching in Calgary. The answer was yes. So Gallant will be part of the interview process as Flames speak with a number of candidates."

The Flames are stepping up their search now that Craig Conroy is settled in as the new general manager.

Gallant has 11 seasons of head coaching experience in the NHL, with an overall .576 winning percentage, 369-262-4. He spent three years each with the Columbus Blue Jackets, Florida Panthers, and Vegas Golden Knights (whom he led to the Stanley Cup Finals in their first try), and then the last two years with the New York Rangers.

As it's known that he has interest in coaching the Flames, Gallant should be considered one of the frontrunners for the Calgary job. The 59-year-old is linked to the Flames' underachieving star Jonathan Huberdeau, as he coached him for three seasons in Florida earlier in his career in the player's formative NHL years.

If Gallant can unlock that superstar potential in Huberdeau once again, it could be reason enough to bring him on board.

The Flames could have some competition for Gallant's services, however; oddsmakers have him near the top of the Toronto Maple Leafs' betting board on their next coach as well.

 Photo: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports