Cassidy surprised by firing, ready to return to coaching now
PUBLISHED Apr 28, 2026, 11:29 PM ET
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Las Vegas — Former Golden Knights coach Bruce Cassidy said Tuesday he was surprised by his late-season firing and indicated he is ready to return to coaching. Cassidy made the remarks while appearing on TNT’s studio show during the NHL playoffs, reflecting publicly on his dismissal with eight regular-season games remaining. The Golden Knights host the Utah Mammoth on Wednesday in Game 5 with the series tied 2-2; Cassidy led Vegas to the 2023 Stanley Cup and compiled a 178-99-43 record. He was dismissed March 29, and John Tortorella took over, going 7-0-1 to close the regular season and secure the Pacific Division.
By Sarah Whitman | JQJO News
Timeline of Events
- 2023 — Bruce Cassidy coached the Golden Knights to the Stanley Cup.
- By the end of the regular season Cassidy held a 178-99-43 record as the team's longest-tenured coach.
- March 29 — Vegas dismissed Bruce Cassidy with eight regular-season games remaining.
- Immediately after dismissal, John Tortorella took over and went 7-0-1 to close the regular season.
- This week — Cassidy said on TNT he was surprised and ready to coach; Vegas faces Utah in Game 5 with the series tied 2-2.
News Intelligence
- If you're a Golden Knights fan, Cassidy's exit may have felt sudden. His return to coaching could shake up the NHL landscape. Keep an eye on the coaching carousel to see where he lands.
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Interim coach John Tortorella and the Golden Knights organization benefited immediately as Tortorella's 7-0-1 finish secured the Pacific Division and stabilized the team heading into the playoffs.
Bruce Cassidy suffered a professional setback from the late-season firing, losing the opportunity to finish the season with the team he coached and potentially affecting his short-term career trajectory.
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Cassidy surprised by firing, ready to return to coaching now
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