What they’re saying about Golden Knights firing Gerard Gallant
Social media has been buzzing since the Golden Knights announced the firing of head coach Gerard Gallant and assistant coach Mike Kelly Wednesday morning. Former San Jose Sharks coach Peter DeBoer was named the new head coach.
Most think the Knights made a huge mistake, considering the success the team has had in its two and a half seasons.
“In two and a half seasons, Gerard Gallant was 118-75-20. That is the 9th most points in the NHL. For an EXPANSION TEAM,” writes Jason Gregor, who covers the Edmonton Oilers. “And he is fired today, Crazy. Absolutely nuts.”
In two and a half seasons Gerard Gallant was 118-75-20. That is 9th most points in NHL. For an EXPANSION TEAM.
And he is fired today. Crazy. Absolutely nuts. #NHL— Jason Gregor (@JasonGregor) January 15, 2020
CBS Sports’ Pete Blackburn says, “The Golden Knights firing Gallant is like a rich kid running away from home because the car his parents got him for Christmas was the wrong color.”
The Golden Knights firing Gallant is like a rich kid running away from home because the car his parents got him for Christmas was the wrong color
— Pete Blackburn (@PeteBlackburn) January 15, 2020
Gerard Gallant is a victim of his own success. The Golden Knights are just where you would expect a team to be after 2 1/2 seasons of existence.
If he didn't lead the team to the finals in their expansion season, Gallant wouldn't have been fired today.#GoldenKnights #VegasBorn
— David Salituro (@DavidSalituro) January 15, 2020
As the @FlaPanthers once learned, firing Gerard Gallant is the biggest mistake a team can make.
Ya done messed up, @GoldenKnights— yung pontifex (@mike_bo0gie) January 15, 2020
The more I think about this, the more shook I am over it. After everything Gerard Gallant has done for the Vegas Golden Knights, does he not deserve the opportunity to finish his THIRD season!? To try & "turn it around!?" The team didnt fall off a cliff (like say, Idk the Sharks)
— Jackie Redmond (@Jackie_Redmond) January 15, 2020
Some fans couldn’t help but bring up the history between the Sharks and the Knights, noting that DeBoer is the coach that “engineered” the Game 7 comeback by the Sharks in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs last season. Other fans are outraged over the hiring considering the intense rivalry between the teams.
#VegasBorn Knights fans, don’t despair! Gerard Gallant has been replaced by the guy who engineered the legendary 4 GOALS IN 5 MINUTES, game 7 comeback!
— Henry Tallent (@TallentHenry) January 15, 2020
Pretty disgusted with today’s firing of Gerard Gallant.
Not only was a good coach fired, the @GoldenKnights replaced him with a clown! 🤡
So hard to root for a team coached by this absolute clown.
Horrendous move by Vegas.
— Daniel Negreanu (@RealKidPoker) January 15, 2020
Many on social media already are predicting where Gallant’s next coaching job will be: Seattle, Detroit, and even the Sharks.
Gerard Gallant about to coach Seattle to the Cup Final in 2022 lock it in https://t.co/EQJFWtptsU
— Pete Blackburn (@PeteBlackburn) January 15, 2020
sharks should hire gallant so he can call pete a clown again
— bye-week boys (@FowleBall15) January 15, 2020
computer generated image of gerard gallant behind the sharks bench celebrating a goal scored pic.twitter.com/AarRzzSUYR
— nathan (@nathancsn) January 15, 2020
Canucks should be firing Green on spot to hire Gallant.
— Ty (@tpardy21) January 15, 2020
Despite Knights general manager Kelly McCrimmon saying the decision to fire Gallant was not a sudden decision, many on Twitter are wondering if that’s really the case. Knights insider Gary Lawless tweeted the decision was purely “performance based.”
It’s a shame to have to say this because Gerard Gallant is such a good person full of respect and humility. But for those asking, this was entirely performance based.
— gary lawless (@garylawless) January 15, 2020
“Curious how much Gerard Gallant’s firing had to do with Peter DeBoer’s availability,” Editor-in-Chief NHL-US for The Athletic wrote. “And now, what Gallant’s availability will mean to the job security of another coach. Crazy business.”
Curious how much Gerard Gallant's firing had to do with Peter DeBoer's availability. And now, what Gallant's availability will mean to the job security of another coach. Crazy business.
— Craig Custance (@CraigCustance) January 15, 2020
Contact Rochelle Richards at rrichards@reviewjournal.com or 702-224-5505. Follow @RoRichards24 on Twitter.