Vegas, baby.
The NHL's No. 1 team entering the week is the best story in hockey, and perhaps in all of professional sports. An expansion team leading the way in points. And in wins. And not only that, but often they're blowing their opponents out of T-Mobile Arena.
Should it be any consolation that there are several Blue Jackets and Columbus connections in the Golden Knights organization? Maybe yes, maybe not. That's up to you, of course.
Gerard Gallant, head coach
Turk was an assistant coach and then head coach for the Blue Jackets during some lean years at Nationwide Arena. He coached one full season (2005-06) and was fired 15 games into the 2006-07 season, a move that ultimately led to the hiring of Ken Hitchcock. Gallant was unable to guide the Blue Jackets to the playoffs in each of his three seasons. He was an assistant in Montreal before being named head coach of the Florida Panthers, was fired in a disastrous move that became public immediately after a game in Raleigh, and then scooped up by the Golden Knights. It's been a perfect fit for Gallant in Vegas.
Ryan Craig, assistant coach
The former Monsters captain retired after the 2016-17 season and moved into coaching, accepting an assistant role with the Golden Knights for the first job of his post-playing days. Not bad, right? Craig was part of the impressive, stacked Monsters team that won the 2016 Calder Cup title.
Kerry Bubolz, president & COO
Bubolz was previously an executive with the Cleveland Cavaliers and ran the Monsters before taking a new role with the Golden Knights.
Misha Donskov, director of hockey operations
Donskov's name is well-known in local hockey circles. A former businessman and Cardinal Health employee, Donskov lived in Columbus and ran a hockey skills academy before joining the Golden Knights' hockey operations department. He's still a highly-regarded figure in central Ohio hockey and has contributed to the sport's growth in our area.
Mike Foligno, pro scout
Nick's dad, Foligno has been a scout and assistant coach since retiring from the NHL. These days, you can find him in the professional scouting department in Vegas under George McPhee.
William Karlsson, center
Wild Bill's having the best season of his career. He's the No. 1 center for the Golden Knights, their leading goal scorer...and a restricted free agent on July 1. Never known as much of a scorer while in Anaheim or Columbus, Karlsson has exploded on the scene this season and is a big reason why the Golden Knights are one of the NHL's top teams. He's due for a significant raise on his $2 million AAV salary, both in dollars and term.
Jonathan Marchessault, forward
The Blue Jackets signed Marchessault as an undrafted free agent back in 2012, and after a cup of coffee in the NHL, they traded him to Tampa Bay. It didn't work out there, and Marchessault ended up in Florida and his career started to take off. The Panthers inexplicably jettisoned him in the expansion draft madness, and their loss is the Golden Knights' gain. Marchessault just signed a six-year contract worth $30 million, so it's clear they like what he's brought.
TJ Tynan, forward
A third-round pick of the Blue Jackets and a Notre Dame product, Tynan was a solid player for the AHL club but couldn't get traction at the NHL level. He's in the Golden Knights' system but not yet an NHL regular.
Keegan Kolesar, forward
The Blue Jackets made Kolesar a second-round pick in 2015 with the hope he would develop into a strong power forward. It didn't work out in Columbus, and they traded him to Vegas last summer.
Oscar Dansk, goaltender
Dansk was the 31st overall pick in 2012, the second of two goalies taken early by the Blue Jackets on Day 2. The other? Some guy named Joonas Korpisalo. The latter's career has developed faster than the former, but the Golden Knights dipped so far into the goaltending well this season that Dansk was earning a regular start at one point. He's got skill and potential, but so far, Dansk hasn't been able to put it all together.
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