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Gerard Gallant waits for cab outside PNC Arena after Panthers firing (Photos)

Josh Cooper
Gerard Gallant, right, former Florida Panthers head coach, waits for a cab after being relieved of his duties following an NHL hockey game against the Carolina Hurricanes, Sunday, Nov. 27, 2016, in Raleigh, N.C. (AP Photo/Karl B DeBlaker)
Gerard Gallant, right, former Florida Panthers head coach, waits for a cab after being relieved of his duties following an NHL hockey game against the Carolina Hurricanes, Sunday, Nov. 27, 2016, in Raleigh, N.C. (AP Photo/Karl B DeBlaker)

When the Florida Panthers fired coach Gerard Gallant, they did so after the team lost 3-2 at the Carolina Hurricanes.

After the move had been reported, Gallant was seen with his bags packed at the loading dock at PNC Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina, waiting for a cab to pick him up. The game at the Hurricanes was the first of a six-game road trip for the Panthers, and they were headed to Chicago – where Florida will play Tuesday. Because of the firing, Gallant’s travel plans obviously had to change. Photos then quickly surfaced of Gallant waiting for the taxi.

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Gerard Gallant, former Florida Panthers head coach, gets into a cab after being relieved of his duties following an NHL hockey game against the Carolina Hurricanes, Sunday, Nov. 27, 2016, in Raleigh, N.C. (AP Photo/Karl B DeBlaker)
Gerard Gallant, former Florida Panthers head coach, gets into a cab after being relieved of his duties following an NHL hockey game against the Carolina Hurricanes, Sunday, Nov. 27, 2016, in Raleigh, N.C. (AP Photo/Karl B DeBlaker)

The team has still yet to issue an official statement that they had relieved Gallant of his coaching duties, though Gallant told NHL.com that he had been let go. Assistant coach Mike Kelly was also reportedly fired.

Gerard Gallant, former Florida Panthers head coach, gets into a cab after being relieved of his duties following an NHL hockey game against the Carolina Hurricanes, Sunday, Nov. 27, 2016, in Raleigh, N.C. (AP Photo/Karl B DeBlaker)
Gerard Gallant, former Florida Panthers head coach, gets into a cab after being relieved of his duties following an NHL hockey game against the Carolina Hurricanes, Sunday, Nov. 27, 2016, in Raleigh, N.C. (AP Photo/Karl B DeBlaker)

In two-plus years with the Panthers, Gallant was 96-64-25. Last season Florida won the Atlantic Division and Gallant finished second in Jack Adams Award voting, but this season the team sputtered to an 11-10-1 start. It was reported that Panthers management and Gallant didn’t see eye-to-eye, which likely led to his firing. Gallant will reportedly be replaced by general manager Tome Rowe.

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Josh Cooper is an editor for Puck Daddy on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at puckdaddyblog@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!

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