The Vegas Golden Knights announced they have fired head coach Gerard Gallant Wednesday morning. They also announced the hiring of Peter DeBoer as Gallant’s replacement.
BREAKING: Golden Knights fire Gallant, hire DeBoer.
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— TSN (@TSN_Sports) January 15, 2020
Vegas Golden Knights Fire Gerard Gallant, Hire Pete DeBoer
Gerard Gallant Fired
The team also announced assistant coach Mike Kelly was also fired. The move comes after Vegas lost its fourth game in a row, a 4-2 loss to the Buffalo Sabres. Vegas currently sports a 24-19-6 record. They are tied with the Winnipeg Jets for the final wild-card position in the Western Conference, but the Jets hold two games in hand. The Golden Knights also sit three points behind the Pacific division-leading Arizona Coyotes.
Gerard Gallant was hired as the Golden Knights first-ever coach in 2017. He coached the expansion franchise to the Stanley Cup in their inaugural season. For this achievement, Gallant would win the Jack Adams trophy. Vegas made it back to the playoffs in their second year. The run was less successful. This time falling in the first round to the DeBoer coached San Jose Sharks in seven games. Through two and a half seasons, Gallant posted a 213-118-75 record.
Gerard Gallant previously coached the Columbus Blue Jackets and the Florida Panthers before landing in Vegas.
From the GM
Vegas general manager Kelly McCrimmon said in his statement, he felt the team had more to give and a new voice was needed to get the full potential out of the roster.
“In order for our team to reach its full potential, we determined a coaching change was necessary. Our team is capable of more than we have demonstrated this season, we would like to thank Gerard and Mike for their service to the Vegas Golden Knights. They were both instrumental to the success we have enjoyed in our first two-plus seasons and we wish them all the best moving forward.”
Peter DeBoer
DeBoer was fired by the Sharks on December 11th after a sluggish start to the season. Still, DeBoer has tons of experience behind the bench. He amassed a record of 415-329-34 with the Florida Panthers, New Jersey Devils, and Sharks. DeBoer found his greatest success with the Sharks. His record with the Sharks was 198-129-34 over five seasons, reaching the playoffs in every season including a trip to the Stanley Cup Final in 2016. DeBoer also coached the Devils to the Stanley Cup Final in 2012. DeBoer will join the team in Ottawa Thursday for their game against the Senators.
“In Peter DeBoer, we have a proven, experienced head coach who we believe can help us achieve our ultimate goal. We are excited to welcome Peter and his family to the Vegas Golden Knights organization”. Said McCrimmon of the hire. “We look forward to a strong finish to the 2019-20 season with Peter at the helm and a successful tenure in the seasons to come.”
