Gallant will be replaced by general manager Tom Rowe behind the bench.
Coaching change in @NHL with the @FlaPanthers. @Sportsnet has learned Gerard Gallant has been relieved of his duties.— Nick Kypreos (@RealKyper) November 28, 2016
Speculation from media is that there were philosophical differences between Gallant and the team's higher ups in the hockey operations department - which has seen changes over the past few months. The Panthers have had a rough start to the season, but many of those problems have been out of Gallant's control.Gallant was given extension last season, but this year he and front office disagreed on direction of the team. Things brewing behind scenes.— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) November 28, 2016
Gallant and Kelly have been with the Panthers since the 2014-15 season. Gallant, who guided the Panthers to a 47-26-9 record last season and a playoff berth, finished second in NHL coach of the year voting.
The reaction from PEI native and current Sportsnet analyst Doug MacLean has not been kind towards the Panthers.
@FlaPanthers I just got word that Gerardgallantwas let go . Omg . Are they serious? What a joke!!— Doug Maclean (@DougMaclean) November 28, 2016
The Panthers lost 3-2 to the bad and boring Carolina Hurricanes on Sunday, dropping them to 10th overall in the East with an 11-10-1 record. The team fired Gallant and Kelly following the game, creating this odd scene.You know I have loved the @FlaPanthers deep down for 20 years ! A lifetime ! But this killed it ! This is a complete joke. Wow.— Doug Maclean (@DougMaclean) November 28, 2016
As if this night wasn’t any more bizarre, Gerard Gallant is currently waiting at the PNC loading dock for a cab to pick him up.— Canes Country (@CanesCntrySBN) November 28, 2016
Gerard Gallant awaits taxi outside PNC, AP photo. pic.twitter.com/pWBQvIP2SH— Luke DeCock (@LukeDeCock) November 28, 2016
It's unlikely Gallant will return to the CHL. Another NHL team will no doubt give him an opportunity.BREAKING: Florida Panthers fire Gerard Gallant, Tom Rowe is new coach: https://t.co/K2NxuGgUvT pic.twitter.com/glQxv3M1KU— Miami Herald Sports (@HeraldSports) November 28, 2016
Gallant and Kelly teamed up to run the Sea Dogs during the glory days between 2009 and 2012. During that span, Saint John had three straight 50-win seasons, three straight regular season titles, three straight President Cup final appearances, two QMJHL championships, two Memorial Cup appearances and a national championship.
Photo: Marc Henwood/Station Nation
This just seems to a play by the General Manger, who was the Florida AHL coach in both San Antonio and Portland before he was promoted to the Panthers, seems to think he can coach in the NHL. As for the Panther, they are 10-11-0-1, 5 wins behind Montreal, so not all that bad really. It will be interesting to see where Gallant and Kelly land, this is probably the first of a couple of reshuffling in the NHL pack, maybe they'll in up Las Vegas.
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