Bruce Cassidy breaks silence on Golden Knights denying Oilers interview request

Bruce Cassidy is immortalized as a member of the Vegas Golden Knights after leading the franchise to its first ever Stanley Cup championship back in 2023.

But after being unceremoniously fired as head coach in the waning weeks of the 2025-26 regular season, the Knights blocked him from interviewing with other teams while he remains under contract.

Cassidy addressed the situation on the Spittin’ Chiclets podcast on Thursday.

“There was two teams that asked, it’s public knowledge now, and I would like to talk to them. I want to go to work. I’m a hockey coach,” Cassidy told Paul Bissonnette, Ryan Whitney and Keith Yandle.

The 61-year-old continued: “It’s upsetting, I’m going to be honest. 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. So if I resign, all I do is not get paid.”

“It’s upsetting…There was two teams that asked it’s public knowledge now, and I would like to talk to them. I want to go to work. I’m a hockey coach.”

Bruce Cassidy speaks on Vegas not allowing him to interview for other teams. pic.twitter.com/cXx4ijCKZS

— Spittin' Chiclets (@spittinchiclets) May 28, 2026

It’s a difficult position for the seasoned head coach to be in, especially as he’s watching the Golden Knights march back to the Stanley Cup Final with John Tortorella at the helm. Vegas swept the President’s Trophy-winning Colorado Avalanche in the Western Conference Final.

The Edmonton Oilers reportedly wanted to speak with Cassidy regarding their head coaching vacancy earlier in May after firing Kris Knoblauch following a first-round playoff loss to the Anaheim Ducks.

The Los Angeles Kings, Vancouver Canucks and Toronto Maple Leafs are also searching for new head coaches, and Cassidy would likely be a realistic option for all three organizations considering his track record.

The Ottawa, Ontario native spent four years behind the bench in Las Vegas, posting a 178-99-43 record. He previously coached the Boston Bruins for six seasons, helping the franchise reach the Stanley Cup Final in 2019, along with a stint with the Washington Capitals.

The 12-year NHL coaching veteran probably won’t be out of work for too much longer.

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