Golden Knights Fire Coach Bruce Cassidy Late in Season

Controversial move replaces Cassidy with veteran coach John Tortorella

Mar. 30, 2026 at 4:51am

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The Vegas Golden Knights have fired head coach Bruce Cassidy with just eight games remaining in the NHL season, replacing him with veteran coach John Tortorella. The decision has sparked strong reactions from hockey analysts, former players, and fans, with many criticizing the move as 'ruthless' and questioning the team's playoff chances.

Why it matters

Cassidy was in his first season as the Golden Knights' head coach after leading the Boston Bruins to the playoffs in six of his seven seasons. His dismissal this late in the season is highly unusual and raises questions about the team's leadership and commitment to making a playoff push.

The details

The Golden Knights announced Cassidy's firing on March 29, 2026, just over a week before the end of the regular season. The team is currently on the playoff bubble and the decision to replace Cassidy with the fiery and demanding Tortorella has been met with widespread surprise and skepticism from the hockey community.

  • Cassidy was hired as the Golden Knights' head coach in June 2025.
  • He was fired on March 29, 2026, with 8 games left in the regular season.

The players

Bruce Cassidy

The former head coach of the Vegas Golden Knights, who was fired late in the 2025-26 NHL season.

John Tortorella

The veteran NHL coach who was hired to replace Bruce Cassidy as the head coach of the Vegas Golden Knights.

Vegas Golden Knights

The NHL franchise based in Las Vegas, Nevada that fired head coach Bruce Cassidy and hired John Tortorella late in the 2025-26 season.

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What they’re saying

“This is a ruthless move by the Golden Knights. Firing your coach with just over a week left in the season is incredibly risky and could derail their playoff hopes.”

— Darren Dreger, NHL Analyst

“Tortorella is a polarizing figure, and I'm not sure his intense coaching style is what this Golden Knights team needs right now. This could backfire badly for Vegas.”

— Jeremy Roenick, Former NHL Player

What’s next

The Golden Knights will have to quickly adapt to Tortorella's demanding coaching approach with just eight games left in the regular season. Their playoff hopes hang in the balance as they try to secure a postseason berth.

The takeaway

The Golden Knights' decision to fire Bruce Cassidy late in the season and hire the fiery John Tortorella is a high-risk, high-reward move that has shocked the hockey world. It highlights the intense pressure and expectations surrounding the franchise, and could either propel them to the playoffs or derail their season entirely.