Golden Knights fire Bruce Cassidy, hire John Tortorella – ESPN

The Vegas Golden Knights parted ways with Bruce Cassidy on Sunday, appointing John Tortorella as his successor in hopes of reviving their playoff ambitions with just eight games remaining in the regular season.

Cassidy was brought on board in 2022 and led the Golden Knights to their first Stanley Cup victory in 2023.

However, Vegas (32-26-16) has seen its performance decline in recent weeks, dropping three straight games and six of their last seven. They entered Sunday ranked third in the Pacific Division, trailing the first-place Anaheim Ducks by six points, while maintaining a four-point lead over the Los Angeles Kings for the final playoff spot.

With Tortorella at the helm, the Golden Knights aim to chase another championship amidst a competitive Western Conference. Sources indicate his contract will extend through this season, according to ESPN’s Emily Kaplan.

“We want to extend our gratitude to Bruce Cassidy for his unwavering commitment to our club and community over the past four years,” said general manager Kelly McCrimmon in a statement. “Under Bruce’s direction, we achieved our ultimate goal in 2023 by bringing a Stanley Cup to Vegas. We hold Bruce in the highest regard for what we accomplished together.”

“As we approach the crucial final games of the 2025-26 regular season, we believe a change is essential to elevate our performance to the expected standard.”

The Golden Knights, historically defined by their aggressive approach to winning, have faced challenges on the ice over the past two months.

After enjoying a seven-game winning streak in mid-January, the team faltered, losing seven of the following eight games. A brief resurgence with three consecutive victories around the Olympic break was soon followed by six losses in seven games. This slump ultimately cost Cassidy his position, despite him holding the record for the most wins as coach in Golden Knights history.

Tortorella will be the franchise’s fourth head coach since its inception in the 2017-18 season. He previously coached the Philadelphia Flyers, where he was dismissed in March 2025 during his third season.

During Cassidy’s tenure, the Golden Knights became known for their strong defensive play, ranking highly in metrics such as fewest shots allowed and lowest high-danger chances per 60 minutes, according to Natural Stat Trick. However, they have struggled with goaltending, recording the lowest team save percentage at 5-on-5 play with 88.45%.

Tortorella is no stranger to turning around a struggling team. He was brought in mid-season by the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2000-01 and led them to a Stanley Cup victory in 2004. The New York Rangers hired him during the 2008-09 season when 21 games remained, successfully guiding the team to the playoffs.

Now, he faces the challenge of maximizing results in a tightly contested Western Conference, where up to five teams from the Central Division could qualify for the playoffs, including three among the NHL’s top six in points: the Colorado Avalanche, Dallas Stars, and Minnesota Wild.

“With John Tortorella, we are acquiring a Stanley Cup champion and one of the most experienced and respected coaches in the NHL,” McCrimmon stated. “His leadership will be invaluable for our team at this critical juncture of the season.”