Gerard Gallant has been fired by the Vegas Golden Knights. Peter DeBoer has been named as the new head coach, effective immediately. Gallant was the franchise’s first head coach, posting a 118-75-20 record in two and a half seasons.
Gallant leaves Vegas after two consecutive playoff appearances, one of which was a loss in the Stanley Cup Finals to the Washington Capitals in 2018. The next year, Vegas lost in a controversial game 7 to the San Jose Sharks in round 1. This season, Vegas is 24-19-6, sitting just outside of the Western Conference playoff picture. Despite the Knights’ position in the standings, this move came as quite a shock to the hockey world. Many are left wondering why this move, and why now?
No Support in Net
Vegas is 12th in the NHL in goals scored. It’s not quite in the league’s top tier, but they’re not exactly struggling to put the puck in the net. A big issue the Knights do have is keeping the puck out of their own net. Marc-Andre Fleury holds a .906 save percentage. That’s 25th in the league among goalies who have played at least 20 games. Malcolm Subban hasn’t exactly been the best backup either, with a .898 save percentage in 16 appearances.
For a team with offensive talents like Mark Stone and Max Pacioretty playing up to their own individual standards, the Golden Knights haven’t been winning enough games. Whether it’s simply a goaltending issue, or if the defensive strategy needs an overhaul, the puck is going into the Vegas net far too often.
Who’s this clown?
That “clown” is your replacement, Gerard.
However curious it may seem, it’s just a coincidence that DeBoer and Gallant coached in the same division. By all accounts, Peter DeBoer was the best available candidate for a vacant coaching position. He does, however, join a team in a situation very similar to the one he had in San Jose. The Sharks could score. The Sharks had capable defenders. But they could not stop a single puck. DeBoer moves from Martin Jones to Fleury. On paper, it seems like an upgrade, but getting this team back on track will be much easier said than done.
Gallant never goes out quietly
When Gerard Gallant was fired by the Florida Panthers in 2016, he was famously seen waiting for a taxi outside of the arena after a game in Carolina. He was forced to remove all of his luggage from the team bus and call his own cab. Gallant was literally left on the curb while the Panthers left for the airport.
This firing wasn’t quite as harsh. Gallant was likely notified early this morning that he would be released. But there’s always a catch, right?
Gallant was slated to represent the Pacific Division as head coach at All-Star Weekend in St. Louis. Hard to imagine an unemployed head coach would still participate. The Golden Knights simply didn’t want to wait any longer to make the change, and it, unfortunately, cost Gallant a spot in the annual All-Star festivities.
Hopefully the Golden Knights paid for an Uber Black, at least.
