Gerard Gallant Reportedly Fired by Panthers: Details, Comments and Reaction

The Florida Panthers reportedly fired head coachGerard Gallant on Sunday, according to Sportsnet'sNick Kypreos. The Miami Herald's George Richards confirmed Gallant is on the way out.TSN'sBob McKenziereported the Panthers also fired assistant coach Mike Kelly, and general manager Tom Rowe will assume interim coaching duties.The move comes shortly after the Panthers' 3-2 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes.Gallant's firing is a surprise. Although the Panthers are 11-10-1 and two points out of a wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference, they're only a year removed from winning the Atlantic division. Florida's 47 wins and 103 points were the most in franchise history.Sportsnet'sElliotte Friedman tweeted a rift between Gallant and Florida's front office had been growing:According toAndy Slaterof 940 WINZ in Miami, the Panthers will frame Gallant's firing as strictly based on the team's record this year.Sportsnet's Chris Johnston tweeted the decision has done little to hurt Gallant's reputation throughout the league:If he's willing to take on a long-term project, the 53-year-old could be an option for the Vegas Golden Knights, who will officially enter the NHL in 2017-18. Success rarely comes early for any expansion team, though, so Gallant may prefer to wait and see if any other openings become available over the course of the season.For the Panthers, jettisoning Gallant could exacerbate their disappointing start.Rowe coached the San Antonio Rampage andPortland Pirates in the AHL and was an assistant for the Hurricanes from 2008 to 2011 before taking over as Florida's GM.While Rowe has coaching experience, he's relatively unproven leading an NHL team from the bench.Even if Rowe is a temporary solution, there's no guarantee the Panthers will find a full-time replacement who is a significant upgrade over Gallant.Following last year's playoff appearance, Florida appeared to be headed in the right direction. Firing Gallant, however, is a step in the wrong direction.
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