Rumor: Islanders may have already found their new head coach.

On Tuesday, New York Islanders head coach Jack Capuano was relieved of his duties by general manager Garth Snow and many speculated that Snow himself wouldn't be too far behind, but that may not be the case.

Less than 24 hours after the firing of Capuano Sportsnet insider Elliotte Friedman has reported  that the Islanders have obtained permission to speak to former Florida Panthers head coach Gerard Gallant, who was fired from that position earlier this season. 

Gallant is an extremely well respected head coach and, unlike the termination of Capuano, the decision from the Panthers to part ways with Gallant came as a big shock to many fans in Florida and around the National Hockey League. Gallant had been largely credited as the guiding force behind the Panthers major turn around, going from 29 wins in 2013-2014 to 47 wins in 2015-2016 and it seemed clear he would not have to wait very long for a new opportunity in the NHL.

This however is sooner than most had expected and it seems like this may have been a plan that the Islanders have had in the works behind the scenes for some time. TSN insider Bob McKenzie has reported that the Islanders obtained permission to speak to Gallant weeks ago, leading one to believe that Capuano had merely been a placeholder for some time now. 

Whether or not the Islanders and Gallant come to terms on an agreement remains to be seen.

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