LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — The Vegas Golden Knights have parted ways with head coach Bruce Cassidy, less than three years after he led the team to its first Stanley Cup championship.
The Knights announced the change on Sunday after dropping three straight games and six of their last seven. The team is currently ranked third in the Pacific Division, six points behind Anaheim and four points ahead of the Kings for a playoff spot.
Vegas hired veteran coach John Tortorella to replace Cassidy. His contract runs through the end of this season.
Fans react to unexpected coaching change
The decision caught much of the fanbase off guard Sunday.
“You fall in love with these players, you fall in love with these coaches and these personalities and then just rip your heart out when they’re gone,” said Walter Behre.
Landon Fandel said he was sad about the move. “I’m feeling really sad that he just got let go. Me and my friends were talking about it earlier and we’re just sad,” he said.
Cassidy was fired less than three years after helping the Knights win their first and only Stanley Cup. This season is set to be the worst of Cassidy’s tenure with the team.
Some fans questioned whether coaching was the issue.
“I don’t think the coaching is the problem with the Knights this year,” said Brian, a fan. “Probably since coming of the Olympic break, our best players haven’t been our best players. So that right now to me is the biggest issue.”
Karly Fandel said the team moves on from coaches too quickly. “I feel like they turn over coaches when they don’t win a season and instead of just hanging on to the coach and fighting through, they just move on to the next one and so we’re disappointed for sure,” she said.
Tortorella brings experience to Vegas
Tortorella brings more than 20 years of head coaching experience to the Knights.
“I’m pretty hopeful for him. I mean, he’s got some quality talent. He’s coached championship teams before,” said fan Avi Siebzener. “Excited to see what he can do with the Golden Knights.”
Another fan, Raymond Paio tells FOX5 he will miss Cassidy. “We’re going to miss you. We’re going to miss you. I liked what your expectations you brought to the team. I liked the professionalism that you expected and I liked the honesty that you brought. Now it’s just up for Tortorella’s accountability,” he said.
Tortorella did not coach a team this season. He coached the Philadelphia Flyers from 2022-25 and was fired last year with less than 10 games left in the season.
Tortorella has brought 12 teams into the postseason since 2000, including a Stanley Cup win with the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2004.
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