The Vegas Golden Knights have made another bold call, firing Bruce Cassidy and hiring John Tortorella with just eight NHL games left.

The timing raised eyebrows across the league, yet it has also sparked fresh Stanley Cup talk. Vegas sits third in the Pacific Division with a 32-26-16 record, but a poor run forced management to act fast.

Speaking on the Spittin’ Chiclets podcast, Ryan Whitney called the move shocking. Paul Bissonnette and Keith Yandle quickly backed the decision, even predicting a Cup run.

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Following this, Whitney compared the situation to the New Jersey Devils in 2000, when a late coaching change led to a championship.

“I’ll tell you they have eight games left. That is what the New Jersey Devils had left when Robbie Ftorek was fired in 2000, and Larry Robinson came in, and they went on to win the Stanley Cup,” Whitney said. “So if Kelly McCrimmon was thinking of doing this like two games ago, he might have been like I’m just going to wait till we got eight left.”

Responding to which, Bissonnette said, “That’s crazy. For sure, he did that.”

Cassidy’s exit is not about ability. He led Vegas to the 2023 Stanley Cup and built a strong record. However, his demanding style may have worn thin inside the locker room. Whitney noted that some coaches succeed but eventually lose their voice with players. That appears to be the case here.

“I think Cassidy’s a hell of a coach,” Whitney said. “He’s a Stanley Cup champion. He’s had a lot of success. I think he’s one of those guys that is hard to play for, and it runs its course a little bit. Now that does not mean you aren’t a good coach. It’s just you have a certain style that can wear on guys.”

Tortorella now steps into a unique situation. He has no time for a full system overhaul, but his presence alone can shift energy. Bissonnette suggested this move links to international success, as Tortorella recently worked with key Vegas players during the Olympic gold for Team USA in the 2026 Winter Olympics.

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Vegas Golden Knights general manager on head coach change

Vegas Golden Knights head coach Bruce Cassidy at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

After the head coach shift, general manager Kelly McCrimmon made it clear the team needed a reset before the playoffs.

“With the stretch run of the 2025-26 regular season upon us,” McCrimmon said. “We believe that a change is necessary for us to return to the level of play that is expected of our club.”

Tortorella brings experience, intensity, and an approach that differs from Cassidy, but urgency matters more than structure now.

Vegas has made ruthless decisions before, and history shows it can work. With the playoffs near, this gamble could either fail quickly or ignite another deep run. Right now, belief inside and outside the locker room is growing.