Reports: Gallant Likely New Panthers Coach

All signs seem to be pointing towards Gerard Gallant being named the next head coach of the Florida Panthers.

From Sportsnet.ca:

An assistant bench boss with the Montreal Canadiens the last two seasons, Gallant is expected to be named head coach of the Panthers, according to Sportsnet’s Doug MacLean. MacLean said on Hockey Central @ Noon he had “no doubt” about Gallant’s appointment. 

Insider Elliotte Friedman reports Gallant will likely be named to the position on Monday.

Reports had the Florida job down to Gallant, Dan Bylsma, and Marc Crawford. Via The Score, Sportsnet’s Nick Kypreos tweets that the monetary cost of hiring Bylsma may have been too high for the Panthers.

The Panthers, who finished 29th overall last season with a 29-45-8 record, have the first overall pick in next week's NHL Draft.

Photo: Marc Henwood/Station Nation