The Panthers last night fired coach Gerard Gallant, and ESPN.com's Joe McDonald wrote if "hockey personnel in Florida are relying on analytics to decide a coach's fate, they have it wrong." The players "respect Gallant, something analytics won't tell you," and a coaching change "will have a negative effect in the room." Describing the situation as a "'gong show' would be a major understatement." McDonald: "Here's my question: Who is calling the shots in Florida? Management or ownership?" (ESPN.com, 11/27).
PLANNING AHEAD: In N.Y., Joel Sherman noted Yankees Managing General Partner Hal Steinbrenner still wants to lower the team's payroll with an "eye on getting under whatever the luxury-tax threshold will be in a new collective bargaining agreement, and he wants to see the elite of what might now be the majors’ best farm system get a shot with the Yankees." Sherman: "If those are the rules, then I think what the Yankees should do is try to get in as dominating a position as possible for next offseason. Translation: Have the strengths that are most valuable for a team now, notably lots of top prospects, lots of available cash and roster flexibility" (N.Y. POST, 11/27).
TRYING TO FIT IN: In N.Y., Allan Kreda noted while playing home games at Barclays Center, the Islanders "remain entrenched in their former home, Long Island." Most of the Nets players have "moved to Brooklyn, but no Islanders have." Barclays Center officials continue trying to "forge inroads with Brooklyn fans, especially the next generation of hockey watchers and players." They are starting a program at nearby Prospect Park on Dec. 5, which will "include weekly free skating sessions and hockey clinics" (N.Y. TIMES, 11/26).
