CHICAGO (CBSMiami) – The Florida Panthers chose to change direction with the surprise firing of successful coach Gerard Gallant Sunday night and general manager Tom Rowe takes over on an interim basis when they visit the Chicago Blackhawks on Tuesday.
Gallant led Florida (11-10-1) to its second division title in franchise history last season, but Rowe told reporters a “philosophical divide” led to the move after the injury-plagued Panthers came out of the gate 11-10-1.
“What management and owners do are out of control,” Florida center Vincent Trocheck told the Sun Sentinel. “We can control how we play every night and as a group we let down a great coach and a friend.