Trending Now - Golden Knights Replace Cassidy With Tortorella Ahead of Playoffs

WHO:

Fox News - The Vegas Golden Knights, Bruce Cassidy (former head coach), John Tortorella (new head coach), Kelly McCrimmon (General Manager).

NHL.com - John Tortorella, Bruce Cassidy, Kelly McCrimmon.

WHAT:

ESPN - General manager Kelly McCrimmon stated, "We thank Bruce Cassidy for his dedication to our hockey club and community over the past four seasons."

ESPN - McCrimmon also mentioned, "His guidance will be a great asset to our team at the pivotal point in the season we currently face."

ESPN - The Golden Knights have lost six of their past seven games, with the latest defeat being a 5-4 shootout loss to the Washington Capitals on March 28th, 2026.

NHL.com - The Golden Knights are currently 32-26-16 on the season, third in the Pacific Division, with eight regular-season games remaining as they look to get into the Western Conference playoffs.

ESPN - The Golden Knights have lost six of their past seven games, with the latest defeat being a 5-4 shootout loss to the Washington Capitals on March 28th, 2026.

NHL.com - Tortorella has coached in 1,620 NHL games, ranking sixth all-time and first among coaches born in the United States.

NHL.com - Tortorella's 770 wins are the second-most for American coaches and ninth among all NHL head coaches.

NHL.com - Tortorella's teams have earned 56 postseason wins across 12 different trips to the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

NHL.com - Tortorella won the Jack Adams Award in 2017-18 with the Columbus Blue Jackets and in 2004 with the Tampa Bay Lightning, making him one of only four coaches in NHL history to win the award with two different teams.

NHL.com - Tortorella served as an assistant coach for the United States at the 2026 Olympic Winter Games, helping the team win a gold medal.

NHL.com - Tortorella previously coached the United States to a silver medal at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver.

ESPN - The Golden Knights have eight regular-season games remaining in the 2025-26 season.

NHL.com - Tortorella last coached the Philadelphia Flyers, who fired him in March 2025 amid his third season with the team.

ESPN - The Golden Knights have lost six of their past seven games, including a 5-4 defeat in a shootout to the Washington Capitals on March 28th, 2026.

NHL.com - The Golden Knights are currently 32-26-16 on the season, third in the Pacific Division, with eight regular-season games remaining as they look to get into the Western Conference playoffs.

ESPN - Kelly McCrimmon stated, "Under Bruce's leadership, we reached our ultimate goal in 2023 by bringing a Stanley Cup to Vegas."

NHL.com - Tortorella has served as a head coach in the NHL for a total of 23 seasons, most recently with the Philadelphia Flyers from 2022 to 2025.

NHL.com - Tortorella's teams earned a division title three different times: 2002-03, 2003-04, and 2011-12.

NHL.com - Tortorella's teams made two appearances in the conference finals in 2003-04 and 2011-12, and one appearance in the Stanley Cup Final in 2003-04.

NHL.com - Tortorella was also on USA Hockey’s coaching staff as an assistant for the 2025 4 Nations Face-Off and as head coach at the 2016 World Cup of Hockey and the 2008 IIHF Men’s World Championship.

ESPN - Kelly McCrimmon stated, "We thank Bruce Cassidy for his dedication to our hockey club and community over the past four seasons."

NHL.com - John Tortorella has coached in 1,620 NHL games, ranking sixth all-time and first among coaches born in the United States.

NHL.com - Tortorella's 770 wins are the second-most for American coaches and ninth among all NHL head coaches.

NHL.com - Tortorella's teams have earned 56 postseason wins across 12 different trips to the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

NHL.com - Tortorella served as an assistant coach for the United States at the 2026 Olympic Winter Games, helping the team win a gold medal.

NHL.com - Tortorella previously coached the United States to a silver medal at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver.

Fox News - The Vegas Golden Knights fired head coach Bruce Cassidy and replaced him with John Tortorella.

ESPN - The Golden Knights have lost six of their past seven games, including a 5-4 defeat in a shootout to the Washington Capitals on March 28th, 2026.

NHL.com - The Golden Knights are currently 32-26-16 on the season and are third in the Pacific Division with eight regular-season games remaining.

WHERE:

NY Post - The announcement was made by the Vegas Golden Knights, a National Hockey League franchise.

WHEN:

Fox News - The coaching change was announced on March 29th, 2026.

NHL.com - Bruce Cassidy was relieved of his duties on March 29th, 2026.

Fox News - The coaching change was announced on March 29th, 2026.

NHL.com - Bruce Cassidy was relieved of his duties on March 29th, 2026.

WHY:

ESPN - McCrimmon noted that the players had lost their spark, which contributed to the decision to fire Cassidy and hire Tortorella.

ESPN - Kelly McCrimmon stated, "With the stretch run of the 2025-26 regular season upon us, we believe that a change is necessary for us to return to the level of play that is expected of our club."

ESPN - Kelly McCrimmon stated, "With John Tortorella, we bring in a Stanley Cup Champion as well as one of the most experienced and respected coaches in the NHL."

ESPN - Kelly McCrimmon stated, "With the stretch run of the 2025-26 regular season upon us, we believe that a change is necessary for us to return to the level of play that is expected of our club."

ESPN - Kelly McCrimmon stated, "With John Tortorella, we bring in a Stanley Cup Champion as well as one of the most experienced and respected coaches in the NHL."

ESPN - Kelly McCrimmon stated, "With the stretch run of the 2025-26 regular season upon us, we believe that a change is necessary for us to return to the level of play that is expected of our club."

ESPN - The change was deemed necessary due to the team's recent poor performance, with the goal of returning to the expected level of play.

NHL.com - Kelly McCrimmon stated that a change was necessary for the team to return to the level of play expected of them.

HOW:

NHL.com - Tortorella has served as a head coach in the NHL for a total of 23 seasons, most recently with the Philadelphia Flyers from 2022 to 2025.

NHL.com - Tortorella has coached in 1,620 NHL games, which ranks sixth all-time and first among coaches born in the United States.

NHL.com - Tortorella has served as a head coach in the NHL for a total of 23 seasons, most recently with the Philadelphia Flyers from 2022 to 2025.

NHL.com - Tortorella is recognized as a Stanley Cup Champion, having won the title in 2004 with the Tampa Bay Lightning, and was also named the winner of the Jack Adams Award that year.

NHL.com - Tortorella is recognized as a Stanley Cup Champion, having won the title in 2004 with the Tampa Bay Lightning.

NHL.com - John Tortorella was appointed as the new head coach, bringing experience as a Stanley Cup Champion and a respected figure in the NHL.

(UPDATED March 30, 2026 21:10 UTC)

In a significant move for the team, general manager Kelly McCrimmon announced the firing of head coach Bruce Cassidy, expressing gratitude for his dedication over the past four seasons. McCrimmon highlighted that Cassidy's guidance would be missed, especially at this crucial point in the season, as the players had lost their spark. The team has now turned to John Tortorella as the new head coach in hopes of revitalizing their performance.

(UPDATED March 30, 2026 19:17 UTC)

The Golden Knights are struggling, having lost six of their past seven games, including a close 5-4 shootout defeat to the Washington Capitals on Saturday. Currently sitting at 32 wins, 26 losses, and 16 overtime losses, they are third in the Pacific Division with just eight regular-season games left to secure a playoff spot. In light of their recent performance, General Manager Kelly McCrimmon has indicated that a change is necessary, leading to the hiring of veteran coach John Tortorella, who has 23 seasons of NHL coaching experience, most recently with the Philadelphia Flyers.

(UPDATED March 30, 2026 17:16 UTC)

The Golden Knights have struggled recently, losing six of their past seven games, including a close 5-4 shootout defeat to the Washington Capitals on Saturday. In a significant coaching move, the team has brought in John Tortorella, who has an impressive record of 770 wins and ranks sixth all-time in NHL coaching games. Kelly McCrimmon emphasized that with the regular season's stretch run underway, they believe Tortorella's experience as a Stanley Cup Champion is crucial to help the team return to its expected level of play.

(UPDATED March 30, 2026 13:19 UTC)

The Golden Knights have eight regular-season games remaining in the 2025-26 season as they look to secure their playoff position. In a significant coaching move, the team has brought in John Tortorella, who was previously let go by the Philadelphia Flyers in March 20th25, with General Manager Kelly McCrimmon praising him as a Stanley Cup Champion and one of the most respected coaches in the league. Tortorella, who has an impressive record of coaching in 1,620 NHL games, ranks sixth all-time and is the top American-born coach in that category.

(UPDATED March 30, 2026 05:39 UTC)

The Golden Knights have struggled recently, losing six of their past seven games, including a close 5-4 shootout defeat to the Washington Capitals on Saturday. In light of their performance, the team announced on Sunday that Bruce Cassidy has been relieved of his coaching duties, with general manager Kelly McCrimmon emphasizing the need for a change as they aim for a playoff spot. Taking over is John Tortorella, who brings 23 seasons of NHL coaching experience, most recently with the Philadelphia Flyers.

(UPDATED March 30, 2026 03:56 UTC)

In a significant announcement, Kelly McCrimmon praised Bruce's leadership for achieving the ultimate goal of bringing a Stanley Cup to Vegas in 2023. John Tortorella, who has spent 23 seasons as a head coach in the NHL, most recently with the Philadelphia Flyers from 2022 to 2025, is recognized as a Stanley Cup Champion after winning the title in 2004 with the Tampa Bay Lightning. Throughout his career, Tortorella's teams have earned three division titles and made notable playoff appearances, including two in the conference finals and one in the Stanley Cup Final.

(UPDATED March 30, 2026 01:19 UTC)

In a significant announcement, Kelly McCrimmon expressed gratitude to Bruce Cassidy for his four seasons of dedication to the hockey club and community. Meanwhile, John Tortorella has made his mark in the NHL, coaching 1,620 games and securing 770 wins, ranking him sixth all-time and second among American coaches. Tortorella's impressive career also includes a Stanley Cup Championship with the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2004 and a gold medal as an assistant coach for the United States at the 2026 Olympic Winter Games.

(UPDATED March 29, 2026 23:04 UTC)

The Vegas Golden Knights announced on Sunday, that they have fired head coach Bruce Cassidy and replaced him with John Tortorella. This coaching change comes after the team has struggled, losing six of their last seven games, including a recent shootout loss to the Washington Capitals on Saturday, bringing their season record to 32 wins, 26 losses, and 16 overtime losses. General Manager Kelly McCrimmon emphasized that the decision was necessary to help the team return to the level of play expected of them as they head into the final stretch of the season.