The reaction to the Florida Panthers firing head coach Gerard Gallant was quick and decidedly supportive in favor of the 53-year-old.
Here's a sample of tweets from around the hockey world:
Gallant out in FLA. Must be the way they do it at West Point.
— Larry Brooks (@NYP_Brooksie) November 28, 2016
Improved from 66 to 91 points in his 1st year, then to club-record 47 wins and 103 points in 2nd. Game above .500 this year. In Florida. Ok. https://t.co/DlxRwISnCj
— Jack Michaels (@EdmontonJack) November 28, 2016
Don't understand this. Thought Panthers were hanging tough despite injuries and would improve as season progressed. https://t.co/prxLlzhm9g
— Tom Gulitti (@TomGulittiNHL) November 28, 2016
Florida ownership taking a beating privately around the hockey community. Gallant is a highly respected and well liked hockey man.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) November 28, 2016
Florida Panthers make coaching change. The struggles have nothing to do with Gerard Gallant This will not be received well in hky world.
— Daren Millard (@darenmillard) November 28, 2016
Some took the opportunity to question Florida's recent trend to a more analytics-based front office:
The most clueless front office in the NHL fires Gerard Gallant as coach Guess the computer boys ran the numbers and it didn't add up.
— steve simmons (@simmonssteve) November 28, 2016
Florida's next move will be having a life size calculator and spread sheet on the bench to open the gates on player changes.
— Patrick O'Sullivan (@realPOSULLIVAN) November 28, 2016
We have seen Excel spreadsheets in some NHL management pies now. Early feeling is .... well, so far, frankly they kind of suck.
— BrianWilde (@BWildeCTV) November 28, 2016
Foolish firing of G Gallant by @FlaPanthers. Seems like an organization that is over analyzing too many things.
— Billy Jaffe (@BJaffe) November 28, 2016
The #FlaPanthers are a mess. Owners letting analytics hounds take over and run the show. Panic move firing the coach. Laughable. (1/2)
— Mike Harrington (@BNHarrington) November 28, 2016
Having said all that, there could be some bright lights at the end of the tunnel for Gallant:
Gerard Gallant is one hell of a good, proven hockey man. He's not going to be out of work for long
— Dave Stubbs (@Dave_Stubbs) November 28, 2016
Golden Knights may have their new head coach handed to them on a silver platter.
— Martin Biron (@martybiron43) November 28, 2016
