Gallant thanks Panthers for opportunity after dismissal

Gerard Gallant has spoken.

The former Florida Panthers head coach broke his silence Monday afternoon and addressed the organization that fired him Sunday night.

"(I) would like to thank (the) Panthers for two great years and (for) giving me (an) opportunity to be a head coach in the NHL," Gallant told TSN's Darren Dreger. "(I'm) really going to miss my players and staff, thanks."

Gallant guided the Panthers to their best season in franchise history in 2015-16, but Florida general manager and interim head coach Tom Rowe said Monday that philosophical differences played a role in the decision to dismiss the now-departed bench boss.

Related: Panthers cite inconsistency, philosophical divide for Gallant firing

Gallant's vision surely clashed with that of the Panthers' front office, but he won't likely have to wait long for another opportunity, given his track record.