Bruce Cassidy recently expressed his disappointment over not being able to continue with the Vegas Golden Knights during their playoff run. Cassidy, who was abruptly fired in late March, reflected on his departure during an appearance on NHL on TNT.
Bruce Cassidy’s Reflection on His Departure
After being let go with only eight games left in the regular season, Cassidy noted the emotional toll of his exit. “You grind for 74 games and you want to be there at the end,” Cassidy stated. “That’s the payoff, right? Playing for the Cup.” He acknowledged that the Golden Knights felt the need to make a coaching change as their performance dipped.
Coaching Change and Team Performance
In March, Cassidy led the team to a disappointing 4-9-2 record, causing the Golden Knights to slide from first to third place in the Pacific Division. He was replaced by John Tortorella, who had been absent from the NHL after his dismissal from the Philadelphia Flyers in March 2025. Despite the coaching change, the Golden Knights rebounded powerfully, finishing their last eight games with a record of 7-0-1, and are currently tied 2-2 in their first-round playoff series against the Utah Mammoth.
Looking Back at Successful Tenure
During his first season with the Golden Knights, Cassidy guided the team to a Stanley Cup victory in 2023. He expressed a desire to continue building on that success. “I would’ve liked to see it through,” he reflected. “We knew what it looked like to win.” Cassidy emphasized that he believed the team had the potential to reach the playoffs and possibly contend for another title.
Upcoming Game and Team Outlook
The Golden Knights, now under Tortorella’s leadership, will return to action for Game 5 at their home arena. The matchup is scheduled for Wednesday night and can be viewed on Sportsnet at 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT.
- Head Coach: Bruce Cassidy was let go in late March.
- Replacing Coach: John Tortorella took over the coaching duties.
- Team Performance: Golden Knights finished March with a 4-9-2 record.
- Current Standings: The team is tied 2-2 in the first-round series against Utah Mammoth.
- Next Game: The Golden Knights play Game 5 on Wednesday night.
