A massive storyline has emerged this afternoon as the Vegas Golden Knights have fired Bruce Cassidy and named John Tortorella their new head coach in an announcement from the team.
Currently third in the Pacific Division with more than an 80% chance to make the playoffs per Moneypuck, Vegas’ decision to part ways with the franchise’s most accomplished coach, in late March no less, comes as a shock. With just eight games remaining in the regular season, the group will now be led by Tortorella, who last coached with the Flyers until being fired 367 days ago.
In a statement from General Manager Kelly McCrimmon, he said “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”.
On Tortorella, he continued, “His guidance will be a great asset to our team at the pivotal point in the season we currently face”.
Sitting 19th in the league, it’s fair to say that Cassidy’s efforts came short this season. With 232 goals scored, 19th best across the league, they sit at -2 in overall goal differential. It’s a step below a team which had some hype as a Stanley Cup favorite in the fall.
The 60-year-old emphasizes an aggressive zone entry system with layered defense. Often tailoring his strategy to fit the skills of his players, roster construction has played a part in the Golden Knights’ performance this year.
The summer addition of Mitch Marner was a no-brainer, but it made the team even more top heavy. Depth scoring has been hard to come by, as Vegas has had to rely on various unacclaimed wingers in their bottom six. McCrimmon added depth forwards Nic Dowd and Cole Smith at the deadline, improving penalty killing, but hardly moving the needle offensively.
On the back-end, Vegas made a splash as they acquired Rasmus Andersson from Calgary in January. His underlying numbers have improved, but the 29-year-old’s adjustment to the Golden Knights after nine years as a Flame is still a work in progress. Alex Pietrangelo has been sorely missed, with his career in jeopardy from chronic hip issues.
Finally, goaltending has been another issue for the Golden Knights. Adin Hill, locked up for six more years, is having his worst season as a pro, with injuries a factor. Akira Schmid has held things down respectably, but he’s not a name any real contender would be associated with as their #1 option.
All that to say, Vegas management still believes the roster has more to offer than where they stand today, and they’re making a tremendously bold move in turning to Tortorella. Cassidy immediately becomes the top coach available entering the off-season, with a .630 win percentage including four 50+ win seasons between his time in Boston and Vegas, and of course, a Stanley Cup to boot.
Tortorella, a Stanley Cup winning coach himself (2004, Tampa Bay), is a veteran of 1,620 games behind the bench. He’s also a two-time Jack Adams winner, bringing in the award for the NHL’s best coach in 2004 and 2017. Last in charge in Philadelphia from 2022-25, he was unable to steer the Flyers into the postseason, and did not win more than 38 games in a season. The Massachusetts native had been filling in as an analyst with ESPN, also serving as an assistant on the gold medal winning Team USA at the 2026 Olympic Games.
His more “old school” approach with relentless work ethic and defensive responsibility brought success to the Columbus Blue Jackets in the late 2010s, able to get the most out of lesser skilled teams. The Jackets’ incredible sweep of the President’s Trophy winning Lightning in 2019 stands as the organization’s most proud moment. A franchise never able to find their footing beforehand, the Jackets turned the corner during Tortorella’s term.
How Tortorella may fit into a team like the Golden Knights will be fascinating to watch, especially with the season nearing its end. Never shy to criticize his players, his relationship with Marner, Jack Eichel, and the rest of the Vegas stars will captivate the league.
As far as mid-season coaching changes can go, Tortorella is always an intriguing candidate for his ability to change the culture. Some may be critical of his most recent Flyers tenure and its lack of on-ice success, but Philadelphia management sought out “Torts” to guide the team into a re-tooling period where they’d implement the “Flyers way”. It ended last March unceremoniously, but given their step forward this year, his imprints helped shape the team into what it is today.
With all of that in mind, his latest gig presents a challenge unlike any of the others. It’s hardly a “mid-season” shift. Tortorella inherits a skilled team right on the cusp of the playoffs, in a move that will be scrutinized for years to come.
If any club were to make such a ruthless and unexpected change, it would be the Golden Knights based on their history. They are on to their fourth head coach in nine seasons in existence; such change is despite missing the playoffs just once in that time.
Gerard Gallant led the expansion team to an unforgettable run to the Stanley Cup Final in 2018, returning to the playoffs the next year, yet found himself out of a job the following January. Peter DeBoer then took over, leading the Knights to a dominant 2020-21 season where they tied for most points in the NHL before coming up short in the Conference Finals. After a respectable 2021-22 where they did miss the playoffs, he was subsequently dismissed, as Cassidy took the helm.
Much like his previous tenure in Boston which brought a Jack Adams in 2020, Cassidy had immediate success, leading Vegas to their best regular season in franchise history in 2022-23 by point total (111). He capped it off by raising the Stanley Cup, defeating the Florida Panthers in five games. The Golden Knights’ sometimes questionable moves had paid off; they’d reached the pinnacle in just their sixth year as a franchise.
Since then, they’ve won just one playoff round, as the success has been harder to come by. Still, the Golden Knights are right in the playoff mix. The additions of Eichel and Marner have the team set up for years to come, as they etch a new post- “misfits” era.
Now they’re starting over behind the bench yet again, as the trio of Gallant, DeBoer, and Cassidy all ended their tenure with win percentages over .600. In comes Tortorella, 67, whose .479 win percentage in his Flyers tenure came in at the worst compared to his previous jobs (Lightning, Rangers, Canucks, Blue Jackets).
With April just days away, Tortorella will have to hit the ground running, set to make his Vegas coaching debut tomorrow night at home against his former club in Vancouver.
Image Credit: James Carey Lauder-USA TODAY Sports (Tortorella)
Image Credit: Lucas Peltier-USA TODAY Sports (Cassidy)
Boot camp time
Get the rope
The desert must be on fire but honestly how may chances does Torts get?!
The desert giveth and the desert taketh away
He has won at most of his stops and has always been a short term solution. You likely don’t know this.
Lol, why does Torts keep getting job offers? He’s not a good coach.
Then again, he’ll probably be fired after next season anyways
New to hockey?
The irony of calling someone out for their apparent lack of hockey knowledge isn’t lost on me.
BAHAHAHAHAHAHA! ENJOY HOCKEY DOC RIVERS, VEGAS FANS!
Hahaha Mitch let’s see your phone
Mitchy calling Daddy
How does Torts keep on getting these gigs? He hasn’t been very successful the past decade! I mean, after his Flyers gig, I thought that teams would have soured on him as HC.
His record speaks for itself. Like him, Or not, He’s one of the top 5 or 6 coaches alive.
The Flyers have not been good for coaches, but Tortorella has won at most of his stops. Don’t know how this confuses so many of you.
Fired with nine games remaining. Hired with ten games remaining. Ya don’t see that every day.
Oops… eight games remaining.
The Knights fire good coaches more often than I change my underwear.
I’m not a Knights fan, but Vegas has to be kidding. Is it April fools day a few days early ? I can give you at least 10 coaches that deserve to be fired before Cassidy.
They are floundering and falling out of the playoff race. Try paying attention. Vegas has standards.
Ironically, I don’t see this improving Vegas’ chances….
because it doesn’t. it made it worse as you imply. only 1 or 2 guys posting know better.
even the unbiased PHR guy indicates it is a shock.
we’ll see in a few months.
Vegas is barely holding onto a playoff spot thanks to loser points. Even if they make the playoffs, they are a punching bag for a real team.
And I could absolutely see a scenario where LA or San Jose knocks them out for that 3rd Pacific seed.
Except those two teams are just as inept.
San Jose has more wins than Vegas.
But not as many points, which is what counts.
Based on your history, you are not new to hockey, but points, not wins, are the determining factor.
Speaking as a King season ticket holder we ain’t knocking anyone off. But they should hire Cassidy tomorrow
4th coach in 9 years for Vegas, Seems like an overreaction to injuries, And, Bad goaltending.
Torts in Sin City…this should be wild
Kings need to hire Cassidy today!
He won’t be out of work long, that’s for sure.
Should have been done already
@Phantom, Thats what they’ve been saying about DeBoer since his release.
John Tortorella, first American born coach to 500 wins, 9th all time in total wins, Jack Adam’s winner twice, 5 conference finals, one Stanley Cup. You may not like him, But, You can’t argue with success.
When did he go to the conference finals? I only see 2004 when he won the cup with Tampa and in 2012 with the Rangers. When were the other 3 times?
Something definitely happened behind the scene to make this change this late in the season.
I dunno, ownership are the super-serious “we settle for nothing less than loyalty & excellence!!!” types, so they probably took a look at how below-average the team was (Vegas would be the 5th worst team in the Eastern Conference by points) & decided to go all corporate badass to attempt to prove some point about “requiring excellence!!!”
Why does an Eastern Conference comparison matter?
To illustrate that they might be a playoff team in the worst division in hockey, but put them in the other Conference and they wouldn’t even sniff a wildcard.
Wow. This is a shocker. Clearly something was wrong on that team, way too much talent to be struggling like they are. I do wonder if Eichel’s time with Torts at the Olympics played some part in him being named the new HC.
kinda smart heading into the playoffs.. torts teams usually excel for a year or so .. then he loses the locker room and his tenure heads south pretty quickly
So if you’re the Oilers do you fire Knoblauch now, or wait until the offseason to hire Cassidy?
Vegas is run like Corporate U.S.A. People are disposable If you are making them money valuable . Coaches and players may like Vegas but if new shining object is available your are out door. Fleury is best example. they don’t care where you go . Do What is best for them.
Yeah. Dumping MAF turned me off on the team instantly.
This is how successful businesses operate. You have likely never run one.
Plenty of ways to run a successful business
Run a sports team like a business, and they’ll lowball every salary. How would you feel about your hometown team spending only to the cap floor every year and the owners pocketing that money instead?
Tough to question because the franchise has an incredible track record – despite its short sample size. They’ve consistently shown that it’s a business, loyalty ends at the door & they will make changes. This may be a double-edged sword tho. Goaltending seems to be a main issue & why does that fall on Cassidy? Another shot for Torts? After how he pulled the chute in Vancouver, nay…
He didnt pull the chute in Vancouver, Tocchet did.
Who’s going to be his newest whipping boy? I say Marner. By game three he will bench Marner for the third period.
I guess I need to know which person in the VGK organization said Logan Thompson was expendable? If it was Cassidy, fine he should go. But the failure to have at least average goaltending over the last two years flows from that “need to move on”
I am a Caps fan and we are really happy that VGK dumped him but has anyone in VGK org been held responsible?
Since I expect Bill Foley himself pulled the trigger, almost certainly not.
They thought they could run it back with Adin Hill who backstopped them to a Stanley Cup,but that whole Robin Lehner deal was a debacle. I agree with Nha Trang,Vegas did MAF dirty.
Nothing at all against Cassidy, he’s a fine coach who will work again soon, when and where he wants to…
… but the NHL is more fun when Torts is coaching in it, like him or not.
I’m sure Kelly McCrimmon probably asked Eichel and Hanifin about their experience with Torts at the Olympics.
A full on coaching change with 8 games left doesn’t make any sense… new system, new play book, new style. Seems like they’re in panic mode since their Cap Circumventing strategy that unfortunately won them their Mickey Mouse cup a few years ago thankfully isn’t allowed anymore. this terrible timed coaching change isn’t going to help them. IF they were smart they should’ve done the change over a month or 2 ago
It is not a system change. At this point, it is a motivational change. Vegas has been falling fast. This is nothing but an adjustment in an attempt to make the playoffs, Anything is possible once a team is in the final 16.
After reading these comments, I think it’s reasonable to say that doghockey is the most insufferable poster on this site. He makes Wilf look like a hockey savant.
Actually, he is right this time. Whereas liberal karens like you are crying about a very successful coach that holds his players accountable and does not soft sell any issue or placate the media.
Wilf has actually watched hockey in his life.
Wilf’s comments are at least original thoughts. Doghockey just critiques others’ posts.
I’m rather liberal but I love Torteralla and other coaches who hold players accountable. I apologize for not fitting into your preconceived notions.
There is something to be said of the NHL “new coach bump” in this situation too. Generally in recent years a new coach tends to improve the teams winning record for the next 18-25 games. Even if that bump only reaches the 20 game mark it should be enough to get them to the 2nd or 3rd round at a .525 w%. At that point, who knows what can happen. Dal/Col/Min beat up on eachother while VGK walk past Edmonton and ??? in the first 2 rounds and enter a series vs a beat up Central team. Then vs whatever team wins the East.
Also is this on an interim tag, or does he have another year or 2 already applied?
Weird how Cassidy became a bad coach when he got bad net minding, but was a good coach when he got good net minding.
Lindy Ruff 2.0
Lots of nostalgia goggles for Torts. Old Boys Network strikes again and creates a narrative for one of their own that doesn’t exist in reality.
He’s a “quick turnaround, short-term” coach, right?
Then explain how he’s missed the playoffs in 8 of his previous 16 years as a coach across 5(!!!) different franchises? Being the winningest American coach ever is a function of continually getting jobs, not succeeding at them. Randy Carlyle has had more recent SC success and regular season success and he’s not getting a phone call for an interview, let alone an immediate role.
He’s not a good coach in 2026 and probably never was. He’s just loud and has a boatload of supporters who appreciate his brash demeanor.
He’s not a better coach than Bruce Cassidy. They’re not even on the same planet.
This is so awesome. All eyes on Mitchy.
Fire a jerk, hire an arsehole. Should work out fine.
Can you say “bag skate”?
Mariner and Eichel best prepare for some fun times.
Torts may be a stop-gap measure, but very likely to see at a minimum more effort by the team.