TC Martin

Gallant Gone, Golden Knights Make Bold Move  

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Wednesday morning the Vegas Golden Knights made a bold move stunning its fans and most of the NHL world in firing it's only head coach they've had in their three year history.   

 

Gerard Gallant was dismissed after the team's loss in Buffalo Tuesday night.  This is the second time in three years Gallant was given this news while on the road.  The first happened by the Florida Panthers after a game in Carolina at the arena forcing him to take his bags off the team bus and call his own cab.  This time he was delivered the news in a hotel room in Ottawa.  

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General Manager Kelly McCrimmon issued he following statement, “In order for our team to reach its full potential, we determined a coaching change was necessary," He also said, "You’ve seen consistency issues; I think that’s part of it. I can’t be more clear that its not necessarily at the feet of the two guys who were relieved today.  I think our team has more to give and that was what went into the decision.”

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Gallant's record as Golden Knights Head Coach was 118-75-20 including 24-19-6 this season.  He was selected to coach in the NHL All Star Game next week.  He won the Jack Adams Award as Coach of the Year during the Knights inaugural season. 

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We don't know what ultimately led to the move and who actually made the decision but Vegas lost its last four games with Gallant at the helm and the team has been very inconsistent this season falling behind early in games. 

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As quickly as Gallant was fired, their new coach was hired.  As shocking as the move was, the hiring of Peter DeBoer was even more so.  The former San Jose Sharks Head Coach was just was fired by San Jose on December 11th after their worst start in franchise history. 

 

Fans aren't sure what to make of this news and its new coach, considering he comes from enemy territory.  It will be interesting on how the players react as most were very somber after hearing the news of losing the only coach they have known since coming to Vegas.  Only time will tell how this turns out .  

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