After being fired by Florida, Vegas coach Gallant receives standing ovation from Panthers' crowd

BarDown Staff

Gerard Gallant , (Getty Images/Jeff Bottari)

The Vegas Golden Knights are the new benchmark for expansion teams. Before the season even began, NHL fans everywhere had already developed a soft spot for the franchise just solely based on the fact that it looked like they were having a blast. They didn’t mind that their projections were, well, on par with most expansion teams – not great. They approached their inaugural season with an attitude that made Vegas seem like a great place to play, even if it didn’t show on the standings.

But then it did.

Not only did they slide into the league with some fantastic branding and jerseys, not to mention their untouchable social media game, but they have also made waves on the ice. They have won 30 of their first 45 games this season currently sit at a jaw-dropping 64 points, just one point behind the league leading Tampa Bay Lightning (is this a good time to mention that they also just beat the Bolts 4-1 on Thursday, securing the season sweep?).

People can talk all they want about beginners luck or underdog mentality leading to Vegas punching above their weight, but at some point there has to be something said about how the team is being run – and that is in no small part thanks to head coach Gerard Gallant.

After being fired in November of 2016 by a middle-of-the-pack Panthers’ organization, Gallant was left behind looking for a taxi while the team left for Florida. Photos of Gallant getting into a taxi taken by a Panthers’ employee went viral and were met with outrage from some of the Panthers’ faithful (although Gallant later addressed the issue and clarified that the team did call a car service, that he just didn’t want to wait for it.)

Now, in a story of mouth-watering redemption, Gallant has taken the helm of an expansion team and done the impossible – made them a playoff contender in their first ever season.

Gallant and the Golden Knights departed to Florida for a reception that was fairly hard to gage. When they arrived though, Gallant was given a standing ovation as a tribute video played on the BB&T Center scoreboard.

Very classy gesture by @FlaPanthers to honor Gerard Gallant during the first period of tonight’s game 👏 👏 👏 pic.twitter.com/UPa5maQ3aT
— Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) January 20, 2018

Here is the Gerard Gallant tribute video during the first period. #FlaPanthers pic.twitter.com/iPSAzM4g9C
— Matthew DeFranks (@MDeFranks) January 20, 2018

Panthers just did a fantastic tribute to Gerard Gallant. Standing ovation from a lot of fans, and Turk gives them a wave.
— Tim Reynolds (@ByTimReynolds) January 20, 2018

Standing ovation for Gerard Gallant. Maybe the best coach this team ever had. SMH.
— Marc Eisenberg (@Coach_Eisy) January 20, 2018

Gerard Gallant gets a standing ovation in his return to Florida, much like how the Panthers left him standing outside in search of a taxi.
— Ryan Gilbert (@RGilbertSOP) January 20, 2018

Unfortunately for Gallant, the underdog story couldn’t quite come full circle as the Panthers staved off a late 3rd period James Neal goal to take it in Overtime off the stick of Aaron Ekblad. If the Knights are able to make a charge in the playoffs, that should be enough for Gallant and company anyway.

(H/T Matthew DeFranks)