Ryan Craig is introduced as the new head coach of the Vegas Golden Knights during a news conference at City National Arena on June 18, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) Ryan Craig has been named the fifth head coach in Vegas Golden Knights franchise history following the departure of John Tortorella. Vegas’ Game 6 loss to Carolina in the Stanley Cup Final preceded the move, leaving Craig with the immediate task of maintaining a championship-level standard.Craig is not coming into unfamiliar surroundings. He was hired by the Golden Knights in their inaugural 2017-18 season and served as an assistant for six seasons, including the 2023 Stanley Cup championship season. He spent three seasons as a coach with the Henderson Silver Knights before getting the NHL opportunity.How will Ryan Craig shape Vegas Golden Knights’ NHL season?Ryan Craig will carry on the winning ways of the Vegas Golden Knights while bringing his own coaching style and knowledge of the roster.Vegas ended the 2025-26 regular season 39-26-17, winning the Pacific Division and reaching the Stanley Cup Final before Craig took over. The Golden Knights eventually fell to the Carolina Hurricanes in six games in the championship series. Thus, making for a difficult but promising start for the new coach.Craig has made it clear that the organization’s expectations are not going to change just because he is sitting on the bench. His promotion is continuity, not a total reset, as general manager Kelly McCrimmon has a close relationship with the coach formed over many years.That familiarity might ease Craig’s transition. He understands the organization, knows its systems and a number of the players, and his prior work with the Golden Knights gives him a feel for the team’s internal culture.Goaltending will be an important decision for Craig, with Adin Hill and Carter Hart projected as the primary tandem. Craig also has familiarity with both goalies, having worked with Hart during his coaching stint in Henderson.Both goalies are hungry, Craig said. They’re going to need contributions from both. That could give the new coach some flexibility in managing starts throughout the NHL season.
What does Ryan Craig inherit for 2026-27 NHL season?
Craig inherits a veteran core of Jack Eichel, Mitch Marner, Mark Stone, Tomas Hertl, William Karlsson, Ivan Barbashev, Brett Howden, Shea Theodore and Noah Hanifin. Carter Hart and Adin Hill are also on the roster in goal.The biggest question will be replacing offensive production after trading Pavel Dorofeyev to the New York Rangers after a 37-goal season. In the offseason, Vegas also picked up Victor Olofsson, Parker Wotherspoon and Marc Gatcomb.Craig’s first job as the 2026-27 NHL season draws nearer will be to translate his successful development work to the NHL level. The Golden Knights already have championship experience, and it’s a matter of whether their new coach can build on that foundation for another deep playoff run.