Gallant defends Panthers employee after anger over taxi photo

NHL analyst Elliotte Friedman joins HC at Noon to discuss the Gerard Gallant surprise firing from the player’s standpoint, who really loved their now former head coach.

Gerard Gallant, fired last Sunday as coach of the Florida Panthers, reached out Thursday to defend a team employee.

“I know everyone has seen the photos of me getting into the cab,” he said via text. “(Panthers manager of team services) Stiles Burr is a good, solid kid. What happened is getting blown out of proportion. They called a car service, but I did not want to wait.”

Gallant and assistant coach Mike Kelly, both let go after that night’s loss to Carolina, left in a taxi — photos that became a viral sensation and angered many in the hockey community. Gallant declined to answer any further questions about what happened, indicating he simply wanted to clear up what happened post-game.

<span style=”font-size: x-small;”>Gerard Gallant, former Florida Panthers head coach, gets into a cab after being relieved of his duties. (Karl B DeBlaker/AP)</span>” width=”100%” height=”720″ /> <span style=”font-size: x-small;”>Gerard Gallant, former Florida Panthers head coach, gets into a cab after being relieved of his duties. (Karl B DeBlaker/AP)</span></p> <p>He has two full seasons remaining on his contract, but will be a contender for just about any job opening.</p> <section class=

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