One word resonated among NHL observers in reaction to the Vegas Golden Knights firing Stanley Cup-winning coach Bruce Cassidy.<\/p>\n
Ruthless.<\/p>\n
\u201cCan\u2019t do anything but marvel at the absolute ruthless nature with which the Vegas Golden Knights operate,\u201d NHL insider Frank Seravalli wrote in a post on X<\/a>. \u201cNo one is bulletproof. No acquisition is impossible. No one thing will stand in the way of attempting to win.<\/p>\n \u201cPerhaps no more fascinating organization in pro sports.\u201d<\/p>\n Can\u2019t do anything but marvel at the absolute ruthless nature with which the Vegas Golden Knights operate.<\/p>\n No one is bulletproof. No acquisition is impossible. No one thing will stand in the way of attempting to win.<\/p>\n Perhaps no more fascinating organization in pro sports.<\/p>\n \u2014 Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) March 29, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n Seravalli wasn\u2019t alone in his assessment of the move, arguably the biggest shocker in franchise history.<\/p>\n Brady Trettenero, founder of Gino Hard, detailed the risky gambles the Knights have made in the past.<\/p>\n \u201cNo NHL team does business as ruthlessly as Vegas,\u201d he added in a post on X<\/a>.<\/p>\n Fired Gallant less than 2 years after Jack Adams No NHL team does business as ruthlessly as Vegas https:\/\/t.co\/W8Rafz756C<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Brady Trettenero (@BradyTrett) March 29, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n NHL insider Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet gave background on the decision during an appearance on \u201cNHL Tonight,\u201d citing Cassidy\u2019s relationship with players \u201cfrayed\u201d in last year\u2019s playoff loss to the Edmonton Oilers.<\/p>\n \u201cA lot of the challenges that Vegas has had this year, it\u2019s not just Cassidy. It\u2019s also that their goaltending has been among the worst in the league,\u201d Friedman said. \u201cWhen they were losing that series to Edmonton, I heard there were some really tough meetings between Cassidy and the players. And I think there was some talk last year at the end of the season, \u2018Would they make a change?\u2019 But Kelly McCormick really backed his head coach.\u201d<\/p>\n The @GoldenKnights<\/a> stunned the hockey world by moving on from Bruce Cassidy with only eight games remaining in the season.@FriedgeHNIC<\/a> stopped by #NHLTonight<\/a> to talk about what went into the decision to move on from Cassidy and bring in John Tortorella. https:\/\/t.co\/YbWdUbJNq5<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/VDIm4QvadQ<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 NHL Media (@NHLMedia) March 29, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n The Knights provided a statement<\/a> following the news of Cassidy\u2019s firing, thanking the coach for his dedication and announced his replacement: John Tortorella.<\/p>\n Tortorella\u2019s fiery reputation will either light up the Knights or burn the team to the ground. While many fans shared their disapproval of such a franchise-altering move at this stage of the season, a former player, Eric Johnson, went to bat for Tortorella on social media.<\/p>\n \u201cSo happy that Torts gets another crack in the NHL. Learned a TON from him my two years in Philly. Will be an instant boost for Vegas. He is a straight shooter and you know exactly where you stand, even if you don\u2019t like it. The passion and fire is still there. LOVED playing for him,\u201d said Johnson<\/a>, who won a Stanley Cup with the Colorado Avalanche in 2022 and spent the 2023-24 and 2024-25 seasons with Tortorella and the Philadelphia Flyers.<\/p>\n With a playoff berth in reach, Las Vegas embarks on a path few teams have gone down with a change of coach this late in the season, but there is precedent that the move could pay off.<\/p>\n According to The Athletic\u2019s Chris Johnston<\/a>, the 2000 New Jersey Devils won the Stanley Cup when Larry Robinson replaced Robbie Ftorek after 74 games.<\/p>\n Whether Cassidy\u2019s firing was to send a message to the players or truly to find a system fix for a post-Winter Olympics slump, the concerns between the pipes remain.<\/p>\n \u201cUnless John Tortorella can play goalie, this is a horrible decision,\u201d one fan opined on X<\/a>.<\/p>\n Another ruthless move made by the Knights\u2019 front office will be subject to judgment in a few months.<\/p>\n But it certainly shows that the franchise is willing to take risks to win now.<\/p>\n \u201cNow I\u2019m not so sure swapping Cassidy for Torts is a smart move, but it\u2019s another example of Vegas ownership and management being ready and willing to do whatever they deem necessary to win at all costs,\u201d one fan wrote on X<\/a>.<\/p>\n Contact Trevor Squire at tsquire@reviewjournal.com<\/a> Follow him at @trevordsquire on X<\/a> for more.<\/p>\n \t\t\t
Traded Fleury the offseason after Vezina
Fired Cassidy 3 years after Stanley Cup<\/p>\n