Overview
- On Thursday Bruce Cassidy told the Spittin’ Chiclets podcast that he is “upset” after the Golden Knights declined at least two teams’ requests to interview him.
- Cassidy remains under contract with Vegas and is reportedly owed about $4.5 million for the remaining year, and his deal contains standard non‑compete language that prevents him from taking another NHL head‑coaching job without the club’s permission.
- The Edmonton Oilers and Los Angeles Kings are the two teams reported to have been denied permission, leaving both organizations to weigh whether to wait for Cassidy or move on to other candidates.
- Golden Knights GM Kelly McCrimmon has defended the team’s stance, blamed an Edmonton leak for public attention, and said the club’s focus is the playoff run while the NHL Coaches’ Association has called the denials unprecedented at the head‑coach level.
- The dispute could set a precedent for coach mobility, affect the timing and options of several offseason searches, and draw scrutiny of how NHL bylaws and contract clauses govern a fired coach’s ability to return to work.