Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
The Vegas Golden Knights fired head coach Bruce Cassidy and replaced him with John Tortorella.
Cassidy is now able to accept any position with any hockey team.
The Los Angeles Kings may want to jump on hiring him before it is too late because this experiment with current head coach D.J. Smith is not working.
On Sunday, Cassidy got the news that he would be out of a job because of his team’s performance this season, which is third in the Pacific Division and five points out of first. Yes, it does not make sense to me either. However, if Vegas can first get their coach into their current position, the Kings have the same fight, given their position, which is not good.
Los Angeles has a record of 29-26-18 for 76 points, putting them fourth in the Pacific Division. Given that spot, the Kings are one point out of the second wild-card spot but 11 points out of first with nine games left in the 2025-26 season.
Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
Los Angeles got rid of head coach Jim Hiller after the Olympic break and replaced him with Smith. After 14 games behind the bench, the Kings are 5-5-4 in those games and are 3-3-4 in their last 10 games. This has to be considered a sideways move, one that leaves the Kings in the same spot as they were with Hiller. No improvements. No increase in points. Did not gain any room in the standings.
There is a good chance the Kings make another change behind the bench, but is now the time to make that move?
Cassidy has been the head coach of Vegas since 2022 and not only won a Stanley Cup in his first season but also led them to playoff appearances in each of his seasons there. Behind the Golden Knights bench, he posted a record of 179-99-42, which included a .625 winning percentage and a 24-16 playoff record.
Cassidy previously coached the Washington Capitals and Boston Bruins before Vegas and has a career coaching record of 470-254-9, placing him 34th all-time in wins. He also has a .567 winning percentage. His coaching style emphasizes a structured, defensive approach to play, along with strong puck control and aggressive puck pressure. In his 12-year NHL coaching record, he has had one losing season.
Smith will likely not be back as head coach unless something extremely impressive happens, where the Kings make the playoffs and make a run. Anything short of that will result in the organization looking elsewhere for a head coach. If that happens, he will not know exactly who will be available after the season.
If the Kings want an elite coach who will turn this around rather quickly, then Cassidy is your guy.
He will not be out of a job for long, so if this is the route Los Angeles takes, a change has to be made rather quickly, or they will once again miss out on a great coach.
Tags: Boston Bruins Bruce Cassidy Bruins Capitals Golden Knights John Tortorella Kings LA Kings Las Vegas Golden Knights Los Angeles Kings Washington Capitals