New York Rangers coach Gerard Gallant let reporters know what he thought about rumours that he could be fired on Wednesday.
Gallant clearly thinks he deserves to keep the gig — and doesn’t think it’s right to be asked about his job status.
“I think we averaged 108 points in two years. I think that was excellent,” Gallant said Wednesday as the Rangers held season-ending press conferences following the team’s seven-game loss to the New Jersey Devils in the first round.
“We had a great first season (last year), we lost to the Stanley Cup defending champions (Tampa Bay Lightning) in the semifinals. This year, we lost in the first round. Did we have a tough two weeks? Yeah.
“But besides that, I can’t believe I have to answer some of these questions about me getting let go or getting fired, brought up by the media. Disappointing.”
The Rangers finished third in the Metropolitan Division before losing to the Devils in the first round this year.
While he took the Rangers to the playoffs in both of his campaigns after the team missed the traditional playoffs the past four years (they lost in the qualifying round in 2020), there were higher expectations this season.
Gallant reportedly has two years left on the four-year deal he signed with the Rangers in 2021.
The native of Summerside, P.E.I. was previously head coach of the Columbus Blue Jackets, Florida Panthers and Vegas Golden Knights.
Gallant led the Golden Knights to an appearance in the Stanley Cup Final in their expansion season in 2017-18.
