Coach gets 2-year contract extension
SUNRISE — In the midst of a franchise-best 13-3 run, the Florida Panthers have rewarded coach Gerard Gallant with a two-year contract extension through the 2018-19 season.
Gallant had another year remaining on his original three-year deal, so this assures that he will continue to work with general manager Dale Tallon, who was given a three-year extension on Thursday.
“In 50 years in hockey I don’t think I met a better person than Gerard Gallant,” Tallon said in a pregame press conference Saturday. “His passion for the game, his professionalism, his character, is impeccable and he’s done a marvelous job for us.”
Gallant, 52, an assistant coach with the Montreal Canadiens from 2012-14, was hired by the Panthers on June 21, 2014, to replace interim coach Peter Horachek. In Gallant’s first season at the helm he directed the Panthers to an NHLbest 25-point improvement (91 points), but after a valiant effort they fell short of a playoff berth.
This season, Gallant has guided the Panthers to a franchise-tying, sevengame winning streak and to fourth place in the Eastern Conference heading into Saturday night ’s game against the New York Rangers.
“I was a little surprised a couple of days ago when they mentioned it to me,” Gallant said. “Things have gone real well lately. We’re having fun. The last monthand-a-half has been very good for this organization. Obviously, I’m very happy.”
The Panthers are coming off their most successful month in franchise history in December, notching 22 points out of a possible 28. Panthers co-owner Doug Cifu said the team’s recent success was not the primary reason for the recent rash of extensions.
“Obviously, because of the excitement of the team doing well we wanted the announcement, but [owner Vinnie Viola] and I have been talking ... for months about the direction of this organization. Vinnie and I don’t make judgments on winning or losing streaks. It’s really a matter of having consistency and stability.
“We’re very happy with the product we’re seeing on the ice. We’re seeing 20 guys every night who are hustling; they’re playing well; they’re playing a team concept and have really bought into Gerard’s vision.”
Gallant’s even-keeled approach behind the bench and in the locker room has paid dividends on a young team filled with recent draft picks.
“He might yell at you, but he won’t sit you on the bench if you make a mistake,” said forward Jonathan Huberdeau, who dominated the QMJHL while playing three seasons for Gallant on the Saint John’s Sea Dogs. “He gives opportunity to young guys and everybody.”
“He’s a player’s coach,” added Panthers defenseman Dmitry Kulikov, who has played for four Panthers coaches since his rookie season in 2009-10. “It doesn’t matter who you are, he treats you the same. You got to be a team player. In his eyes it doesn’t matter how many goals you score, you still have to be responsible defensively and you can’t turn pucks over.”