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Golden Knights fire head coach Bruce Cassidy
Struggling team parts ways with veteran coach after missing playoffs
Mar. 31, 2026 at 2:19am
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The Golden Knights' coaching change signals a need for a new strategic vision to revive the struggling franchise.The Las Vegas Golden Knights have fired head coach Bruce Cassidy after the team failed to make the NHL playoffs for the second straight season. Cassidy, a veteran coach with over a decade of NHL experience, was let go just one year into a five-year contract with the Golden Knights.
Why it matters
The Golden Knights are one of the NHL's newest franchises, having joined the league in 2017. After making the Stanley Cup Finals in their inaugural season, the team has struggled to maintain that level of success, missing the playoffs in two of the last four seasons. Cassidy's dismissal signals a shakeup in the organization as they look to get the team back on track.
The details
Cassidy was hired by the Golden Knights in June 2022 on a five-year deal worth $25 million. However, the team failed to make the playoffs this season, finishing 12 points out of a wild card spot in the Western Conference. Ownership cited the team's underperformance and lack of progress under Cassidy's leadership as the primary reasons for the coaching change.
- Cassidy was hired as Golden Knights head coach in June 2022.
- The Golden Knights missed the playoffs in the 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons under Cassidy's leadership.
- Cassidy was relieved of his duties as Golden Knights head coach on March 30, 2026.
The players
Bruce Cassidy
A veteran NHL head coach with over 10 years of experience, Cassidy was hired by the Golden Knights in 2022 on a five-year contract.
Las Vegas Golden Knights
An NHL expansion team that joined the league in 2017, the Golden Knights made the Stanley Cup Finals in their inaugural season but have struggled to maintain that level of success in recent years.
What they’re saying
“We expected more from this team and this coaching staff. It's time for a new voice and a new direction to get us back to being a playoff contender.”
— Kelly McCrimmon, Golden Knights General Manager
What’s next
The Golden Knights will immediately begin a search for a new head coach to lead the team next season.
The takeaway
The Golden Knights' decision to part ways with Bruce Cassidy underscores the high expectations and pressure to win in the NHL, even for a relatively new franchise. The team's inability to return to the playoffs in recent years has led to this coaching change, as the organization looks to find a new voice to help get the Golden Knights back on track.
