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NHL Rumors: Islanders close to hiring Gerard Gallant?

By Dave Stevenson

Dec 18, 2015; Raleigh, NC, USA; Florida Panthers head coach Gerard Gallant reacts during the 3rd period against the Carolina Hurricanes at PNC Arena. The Florida Panthers defeated the Carolina Hurricanes 2-0. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 18, 2015; Raleigh, NC, USA; Florida Panthers head coach Gerard Gallant reacts during the 3rd period against the Carolina Hurricanes at PNC Arena. The Florida Panthers defeated the Carolina Hurricanes 2-0. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports /
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The New York Islanders have reportedly gotten permission from the Florida Panthers to interview their former head coach Gerard Gallant. 

After firing head coach Jack Capuano, the New York Islanders are moving quickly to find their next head coach. Doug Weight is their interim coach, but he might not be their coach for very long. According to Elliotte Friedman, the Islanders have already gotten permission from the Florida Panthers to interview their former head coach Gerard Gallant.

It isn’t too surprising they’re moving quickly to find their next head coach. With captain John Tavares hitting free agency after the 2017-18 season, the Islanders have an expiration date. Naturally, the team is trying to pull off a quick turnaround to contend again next season. While they are eight points out of a playoff spot with half the season over, they aren’t completely out of the playoff picture.

Gallant and the Islanders know each other quite well. This fits in with what their general manager Garth Snow has done throughout his career. Gallant isn’t an in-house hire like Snow usually does, but he’s close enough as a former assistant.

No matter where he has gone in his career, he’s had success as a head coach. Gallant went from the Islanders to the QMJHL, where he led the Saint John Sea Dogs to two league titles and the 2011 Memorial Cup. The former Panthers coach also served as an assistant coach for the Montreal Canadiens before going to Florida.

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Gallant won the 2015-16 Jack Adams Trophy. After an offseason overhaul, he didn’t see eye to eye with the front office, leading to him being fired. Gallant might not be an elite coach, but he’s still easily in the tier just below elite. Capuano wasn’t structured at all while Gallant is. This would give the Islanders some much needed stability.

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