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Florida Panthers Fire Coach Gerard Gallant; GM Tom Rowe Becomes Interim Coach

VANCOUVER, CANADA - NOVEMBER 4: Head Coach Gerard Gallant of the Columbus Blue Jackets looks on from the bench during their NHL game against the Vancouver Canucks at General Motors Place on November 4, 2005 in Vancouver, Canada. The Canucks defeated the Blue Jackets 5-3. (Photo by Jeff Vinnick/Getty Images)

The Florida Panthers confirmed on Monday morning the firing of coach Gerard Gallant and that general manger Tom Rowe has been named interim head coach for the remainder of the 2016-2017 season.

Florida Panthers Fire Coach Gerard Gallant; GM Tom Rowe Becomes Interim Coach

Assistant coach Mike Kelly was also relieved of his duties.

“My focus is solely on turning our season around, fixing our special teams and securing a playoff berth,” Rowe said in a statement.

The change was made Sunday night following the Panthers’ 3-2 loss at Carolina. The Panthers fell to 11-10-1 through 22 games, good for just 10th in the Eastern Conference. Nevertheless, they’re only two points out of a playoff berth.

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The Panthers gave Gallant a two-year contract extension last season, one in which he was a finalist for the Jack Adams Award for NHL coach of the year after the team set franchise records for wins (47) and points in a season (103).

On the day Gallant’s extension was announced, the Panthers also signed then-GM Dale Tallon to a three-year deal.

Tallon was replaced by Rowe after the playoff loss to the New York Islanders, with Tallon being named president of hockey operations.

When asked about being signed through 2019, Gallant smiled and said, “there’s no guarantee I’ll be here, but at least I have the contract.”

A source close to Gallant stated he felt his job was in jeopardy for some time.

Gallant reportedly spoke to the media after Sunday’s game but before he was informed of the front office decision.

The Panthers kicked off a six-game road trip with Sunday’s loss; Florida is now off to Chicago, where it will play the Blackhawks on Tuesday night. The Panthers were scheduled to have Monday off.

“For five minutes we let them come back in the game and they scored three big goals,” Gallant told Fox Sports Florida following the game. “That was disappointing because we probably played 55 good minutes. It wasn’t enough. You can’t have those kind of letdowns and they killed us.”

Rowe, 60, joined the Panthers in 2013 after Kevin Dineen was fired at the start of that season.

When Peter Horachek was brought up from Florida’s AHL affiliate in Portland, Maine, to take over for Dineen, Rowe went behind the bench there.

In the span of less than a year, Rowe rose through the ranks of the organization from AHL coach to general manager and now head coach.

“I’m ecstatic to be able to work with Dale and work under his guidance and direction,” Rowe said after being brought in as associate GM.

“He’s done one heck of a job here. To be able to come here for this position, see how it works in the NHL is a great thing.”

“In seeking to earn a second consecutive playoff berth and bring a Stanley Cup to South Florida, we believe that new leadership is required immediately,” Panthers owner Vinnie Viola said in a statement.

Goalie coach Robb Tallas and assistant coach Scott Allen, as well as associate coach Dave Barr, will remain with the team.

VANCOUVER, CANADA – NOVEMBER 4: Head Coach Gerard Gallant of the Columbus Blue Jackets looks on from the bench during their NHL game against the Vancouver Canucks at General Motors Place on November 4, 2005 in Vancouver, Canada. The Canucks defeated the Blue Jackets 5-3. (Photo by Jeff Vinnick/Getty Images)

Pablo Mena

Writer and assistant editor for usports.org. NY Giants and Rangers fan. Film and TV enthusiast (especially Harry Potter and The Office) and lover of foreign languages and cultures.