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Gallant 'far from done' after firing by Golden Knights

Former Vegas Golden Knights head coach Gerard Gallant said he was both disappointed and surprised at his firing on Wednesday, two seasons after taking the team to the Stanley Cup Finals.

"I was quite surprised actually when it happened," Gallant told his hometown newspaper, the Journal Pioneer in Summerside, Prince Edward Island, Canada. "You don't see something coming like that when you have 2 1/2 years in."

Gallant led the Golden Knights to a 51-24-7 record in their debut season of 2017-18. They lost to the Washington Capitals in a five-game Stanley Cup Final.

"I'm far from done," the 56-year-old Gallant said after posting a 118-75-20 record with the Golden Knights. "I enjoy coaching. ... If an opportunity comes up, I will definitely look at it."

The Golden Knights just one point outside of a playoff spot at the time he was fired, plus he had been named the head coach of the Pacific Division team at this month's All-Star Game festivities.

He has been replaced in the All-Star Game by the Arizona Coyotes' Rick Tocchet.

"I talked to the NHL about it and they sort of left it up to me, but I didn't really feel comfortable (going)," Gallant told the Journal Pioneer. "I just said I'd sooner pass."

--Field Level Media