The Vegas Golden Knights announced on Sunday the dismissal of head coach Bruce Cassidy and appointment of John Tortorella as replacement, with eight games remaining in the 2025-26 NHL regular season.
General manager Kelly McCrimmon issued a statement thanking Cassidy for his service over four seasons, including leading the team to the Stanley Cup in 2023.[1] "With the stretch run of the 2025-26 regular season upon us, we believe that a change is necessary for us to return to the level of play that is expected of our club," McCrimmon said.
McCrimmon added of Tortorella: "With John Tortorella, we bring in a Stanley Cup Champion as well as one of the most experienced and respected coaches in the NHL."[2]
Cassidy was hired as Golden Knights head coach on June 13, 2022, following four seasons with the Boston Bruins.[3] Under his leadership in 2022-23, Vegas defeated the Florida Panthers to claim the franchise's first Stanley Cup on June 13, 2023.[1]
Tortorella won the Stanley Cup as head coach of the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2004, defeating the Calgary Flames in seven games.[4] His NHL regular-season coaching record stood at 766-608-37 through the end of the 2023-24 season.[5]
The NHL regular season consists of 82 games per team, with the top three teams in each division qualifying for the playoffs along with wild cards.[6]
The Pacific Division is one of four in the NHL's Western Conference.
Sources
- NHL.com
Golden Knights win first Stanley Cup
June 13, 2023
https://www.nhl.com/news/golden-knights-win-stanley-cup-with-1-0-victory-over-panthers-in-game-5-of-final - Vegas Golden Knights
Golden Knights Name Bruce Cassidy Head Coach (context for GM role)
June 13, 2022
https://www.vgk.com/news/golden-knights-name-bruce-cassidy-head-coach - Vegas Golden Knights
Golden Knights Name Bruce Cassidy Head Coach
June 13, 2022
https://www.vgk.com/news/golden-knights-name-bruce-cassidy-head-coach - NHL.com
Lightning win Stanley Cup
June 7, 2004
https://www.nhl.com/news/lightning-win-stanley-cup-2004-final - Hockey-Reference.com
John Tortorella Coaching Record
Accessed October 2024
https://www.hockey-reference.com/coaches/tortorella_john.html - NHL.com
NHL Structure
Accessed October 2024
https://www.nhl.com/info/standings-info