Did the Florida Panthers at least pay for the fare?
The Panthers fired head coach Gerard Gallant following Sunday night’s 3-2 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes. Dropping to a disappointing 11-10-1 through the first quarter of the NHL season, the firing came with some questions – and a lot of weirdness.
With the team set to depart to Chicago, Gallant was left off the flight and literally kicked to the curb, where the 53-year-old was forced to take a taxi with shutterbugs snapping every moment of it.
Photographers captured the awkward moment when a bewildered Gallant carried his own bag to a yellow mini-van taxi.
Of all the coaches that will go, Gallant is the first? That's…illogical. #FlaPanthers losing a good one.
— Brett Cyrgalis (@BrettCyrgalis) November 28, 2016
After finishing with a franchise-record 103 points last season, the Panthers’ decision to fire Gallant was a shock. Last season, the Jack Adams Award runner-up led the Panthers to the Stanley Cup playoffs for the first time in three seasons, but the young team flamed out in the first round to the Islanders.
Although they sit fifth in the Atlantic Division, the Panthers have battled injuries, especially on offense with star forwards Jonathan Huberdeau and Jussi Jokinen out for extended periods.
On Monday morning, the Panthers announced general manager Tom Rowe will take over the coaching duties.
