A man who quickly became one of the most beloved sports figures in Las Vegas, Golden Knights coach Gerard Gallant, is gone.
Gallant coached the Vegas Golden Knights from their inception three years ago, taking them to the Stanley Cup finals that first year.
But Gallant was fired by management Wednesday after the Knights lost a fourth game in a row.
Management said he was fired because they had a “feel” it was the right time.
Sportswriters disagree and are saying it was the wrong move because the team has a winning record and could still make the playoffs this year.
“All things considered, there is no doubt in my mind, that it was wrong,” said Mitch Moss, the host of "Follow the Money" on V-SIN, the Vegas Stats and Information Network.
Moss blames the team's unbelievable first year for Gallant's firing now.
“He was a victim of his own success," he said, "You fast forward to now two and half years into this thing and he got the ax because of high expectations and I think it is completely unfair.”
Moss believes if the Knights had had a normal first year like other expansion teams people would be "giddy" about where they are right now and talking about a contract extension for Gallant, not his firing.
As for his replacement, Peter DeBoer, who used to coach the San Jose Sharks, Moss is not sure what reception he's going to get at T-Mobile Arena when the Knights return home on Feb. 8.
“He was called the clown by Gallant last year – the day before game seven – and they played. And the fans did not like him and judging by the reaction when Gallant got fired on social media… fans could not believe that this is the guy they actually went with because they didn’t like the guy either,” he said.
But if the team goes on a winning streak, then fans may change their minds. The team won their first game under DeBoer Thursday night against the Ottawa Senators.
Mitch Moss, host, Follow the Money, Vegas Stats and Information Network
