At a press conference today, Vegas GM Kelly McCrimmon said of the fired VGK coach Bruce Cassidy situation: “Regarding Bruce Cassidy, teams have asked for permission to speak with Bruce. We’ve been consistent that our focus currently is on the Stanley Cup playoffs, and the teams have respected that. I’ve spoken with Bruce, he understands this as well.”

On social media, the reaction to McCrimmon’s statement was met with general mocking and derision. Here are some of the highlights:

Montreal hockey commentator Eric Engels @EricEngels
It’s a yes or no question… “We’re busy with playoffs” is a total cop out, and this situation reflects terribly on the organization—even if they want to pretend it’s not for vindictive reasons.

Philadelphia beat writer for Philly Sports Charlie O’Connor @charlieo_conn
The NHL should take away another second round pick solely for this ridiculous “answer.”

Boston Globe hockey writer Conor Ryan @ConorRyan_93
The hell is this answer lmao

US hockey commentator Adam Gretz @AGretz
Is (McCrimmon) aware that he doesn’t have to conduct the interviews?

TSN/Forbes Sports Legal AnalystEric Macramalla @EricMacramalla
For the Knights to act like they can’t multitask is ridiculous. We all know this ends with another team hiring Cassidy this offseason anyway, so we might as well skip the charade.

Boston Herald hockey writer Steve Conroy
This is lame.

The Sheet podcaster Jeff Marek @JeffMarek
I have a feeling coaching contracts are about to change.

Sean ‘Down Goes Brown’ McIndoe of the Athletic @DownGoesBrown
In fairness, GMs have lots of opportunities for roster moves in the playoffs, so finding 15 seconds to do the right thing like everyone else is going to be next to impossible.

The Cult of Hockey’s Kurt Leavins 🇨🇦 @KurtLeavins
Vegas suggesting that allowing Bruce Cassidy to interview elsewhere during the Stanley Cup Playoffs is a somehow a distraction is a bigger load of shit than anything Kelly ever had to haul back on the farm in Saskatchewan.

Former NHLer Jordan Schmaltz @J_Swish24
Getting fired by an NHL team (as a Head Coach) and then needing “permission” to speak to another team is the dumbest shit I’ve ever heard of. It’s like a dude dumping his chick and then her needing to ask him if it’s okay to date somebody new. Need permission? Fella you dumped her.

The Athletic’s Vegas correspondent Jesse Granger @JesseGranger_
Bruce Cassidy understands so well that the coaches’ association felt the need to release this statement today.

Former Cult of Hockey contributor Jonathan Willis @JonathanWillis
I actually have no issue with Vegas sticking a spoke in the tires of Edmonton and Los Angeles. They’re not here to help them. But firing Cassidy and then keeping him locked up speaks volumes about how much the organization cares about its people. Not for the first time, either.

Cult of Hockey contributor Ira “OriginalPouzar” Cooper @coopsie39
It’s 100% a BS excuse as it would have taken less time to just grant permission/consent a week ago but Knights are playing game and will eventually permit as per normal course.

On Oilers Now, former NHL GM and player agent Brian Lawton said that if Cassidy were willing to axe the final year of his Vegas contract, he suspects that would work to get Vegas to give permission to the Oilers to interview him.

Said Lawton to host Bob Stauffer: “I’m sure if somebody’s called up a team like Vegas or anybody else and said, ‘Look, I’ll just terminate my contract.’ then they’d let them talk to whoever they want.”

Stauffer asked Lawton if really did believe the the Golden Knights would terminate the Cassidy deal and let him go free.

“I do,” Lawton said. “I can’t speak for Canadian law, but I can speak for American, and it’s very difficult to prevent someone from working. I think that would be a problem.”

Stauffer also suggested the Oilers maybe hiring former Red Wings coach Mike Babcock, who was recently hired and then resigned from the Columbus Blue Jackets before the 2023-24 season. Some Columbus players complained Babcock was delving into areas of personal privacy where he had no right to inquire.

Did Lawton see Babcock as an option?

“I would think so. I would think someone with (Oilers GM Bowman) Stan’s background would certainly have to have a lot of thoughts about that. Right. (Stan) has gotten a second chance. I don’t think that that was anything necessarily given. I think Stan worked at it. I think he deserved to get a second chance. Can I say that about Mike? I know Mike, and I really like him. I think he’s a good human being.

Lawton then referenced Babcock’s troubles in Columbus. “I know this business can be cruel. One wrong word, one wrong interaction with a player in today’s world is enough to set you back. There’s been a number of coaches and other people in management where it’s happened to.”

Stauffer suggested veteran coaches like Peter Laviolette and Craig Berube would also be in the mix.

My take

1. Who knows what McCrimmon was trying to say in regards to Cassidy? Does he mean he’ll give permission to teams to talk to Cassidy after Vegas is out of the playoffs? I’m not sure.

As for Lawton’s suggestion that Cassidy axe his Vegas deal and move on, that sounds like a solid plan from Edmonton’s perspective, but would Cassidy or Vegas go for it? I’m not sure.

The entire situation is clear as mud, but it’s hard to imagine Vegas getting any more flexible.

At the same time, Lawton’s point about individuals having the right to work might well carry legal weight and be a way for Cassidy to choose his own destiny. But court battles can also take time.

2. Mike Babcock as Oilers coach? I take it Stauffer isn’t bringing up his name for nothing, though that’s just my speculation.

Babcock won a Cup with Detroit in 2008. He was a solid NHL coach for a long time. He led the most dominant Canadian teams I’ve ever seen to Olympic gold in 2010 and 2014.

He upset the apple cart in Columbus, but I favour second chances and see him and Laviolette as solid candidates should the Oilers not be able to bring in Cassidy.

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At the Cult of Hockey

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