Report: Islanders have permission to speak with Gerard Gallant
The New York Islanders aren't wasting any time in their search for a new head coach.
Hours after relieving Jack Capuano of his duties, the club has reportedly been granted permission to speak to former Florida Panthers bench boss Gerard Gallant, according to Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet.
Hearing NYI have permission to talk to former Florida coach Gerard Gallant. He was an Islanders' assistant from 2007-09.
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) January 18, 2017
Related: Could Gerard Gallant be on Islanders' radar?
Gallant served as head coach of the Panthers for two full and successful seasons prior to being fired in light of Florida's 11-10-1 record to kick off 2016-17.
He appears to have been on the Islanders' radar since the Dec. 3 firing.
Worth noting on NYI permission request to talk to Gerard Gallant, it was made some time ago. Not hours/days, believed to week(s) or more.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) January 18, 2017
Gallant was a finalist for the Jack Adams Trophy and coached an All-Star team in in 2016 after guiding the team to a first-place finish in the Atlantic Division, only to be ousted from the playoffs in the first round by the Islanders.
As mentioned by Friedman, he also has a history working with the Islanders.