Vegas Golden Knights general manager Kelly McCrimmon joined TSN’s OverDrive on Thursday and once again addressed his team’s decision to deny requests to speak to their former coach Bruce Cassidy.
Cassidy, who led the Golden Knights to the 2023 Stanley Cup, was fired on Mar. 30 with only eight games remaining on the regular season schedule. John Tortorella was hired to replace him and has Vegas in the Stanley Cup Final.
There have been reports of teams requesting permission to speak to Cassidy about their coaching vacancies, but McCrimmon told reporters prior to the start of the Western Conference Final that the Golden Knights are focused on their playoff run before giving his situation some consideration.
Cassidy has since expressed his frustration on the situation and when McCrimmon was asked about it again on Thursday, he lamented how it became public.
“It’s only news because Edmonton [Oilers] leaked it,” said McCrimmon. “This isn’t something that came out of our organization. We’ve been forced to respond to it, which we did prior to our series against the [Colorado] Avalanche.”
Cassidy told Barstool Sports’ Spittin’ Chiclets podcast on Thursday that he wants to get back to coaching. However, even though he has been relieved of his coaching duties, he is still under contract with the Golden Knights and is beholden to their wishes.
The 61-year-old expressed his frustration on the podcast, stating that he just wants to get back to work.
“It’s upsetting, I’m going to be honest,” Cassidy said of his situation. “Once you’re fired, your contract is basically terminated, but the one thing people don’t realize is all the deals, with NHL bylaws and this and that, you’ve got no-compete clauses. So I can’t resign today and go work for someone tomorrow...I can’t work until Vegas gives me permission and this contract is up at the end of next season.
“There were two teams that asked [to interview me], it’s public knowledge now, and I would like to talk to them. I want to go to work. I’m a hockey coach.”
The Golden Knights have reached the Stanley Cup Final for the third time in their franchise’s nine-year history after sweeping the Avalanche in the Western Conference Final.
They are waiting to find out if their opponent will be the Carolina Hurricanes or the Montreal Canadiens, who are playing in the Eastern Conference Final. The Hurricanes hold a 3-1 series lead entering Friday’s Game 5.
McCrimmon says he understands Cassidy’s frustration but that doesn’t change the views of the Golden Knights organization.
“I’ve talked to Bruce as recently as yesterday. I know how he feels,” said McCrimmon. “I know he wants to coach, he’s a hell of a coach, and he’s anxious to get going.
“But at the same time I work for the Vegas Golden Knights. My responsibilities are first and foremost to the organization and that’s as much as I’m going to say about it.”
The Golden Knights have gained a reputation of being ruthless in their quest to win championships. They have shown that they will do whatever it takes to upgrade their team and part ways with popular figures in order to win.
McCrimmon believes that their strong desire to win is what separates the Golden Knights from the rest of the league when it comes to attracting players.
“I think the players really appreciate being on a team that’s trying to win,” said McCrimmon. “That’s not always the case around the league as far as teams are run. There’s a lot of value than that.
“The reality of running a team in a salary cap world is you have to make it work however you need to make it work. We’re committed to winning but we treat our players really, really well.
“I think if you ask any player, they’ll tell you that they’re proud to play in Vegas and the organization does well by them and their family. Guys want to win, Vegas is a great place to play hockey, and a great place to win. We don’t need to apologize for that, it’s what all players want.”
