NHL rumors: Golden Knights shut down Oilers Bruce Cassidy interview request

The Edmonton Oilers saw their season end in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, falling to the Anaheim Ducks. This has led to Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch being placed on the hot seat.

With questions about the future of Knoblauch, the Oilers are looking at coaching options. One of those options is former Vegas Golden Knights head coach Bruce Cassidy. Now, it is being reported that the Golden Knights are making sure Cassidy will not be heading to Edmonton, according to hockey insider Frank Seravalli.

“League sources say Oilers have sought permission to interview Bruce Cassidy as they contemplate significant coaching staff changes. To this point, sources say (Golden Knights) have withheld permission from division rival. Gamesmanship? Perhaps. Mostly unprecedented for role,” Seravalli posted on X, formerly Twitter.

Cassidy was fired by the Golden Knights with just eight games left in the season. Still, he is under contract for one more season, and with the Golden Knights paying him not to coach, they have the ability to block Cassidy from interviewing for other jobs, including the Oilers. Still, it is a surprising move from the Golden Knights. Normally, when a team fires a coach, they do not block the coach they have disposed of from interviewing for another job.

Cassidy could be a solid choice for the Oilers if they decide to move on from Knoblauch. His head coaching career began in the 2002-03 season with the Washington Capitals, leading them to the playoffs but losing in the first round of the playoffs. Cassidy was fired by the Capitals during the next season and would return to being a head coach in the 2016-17 season.

He led the Boston Bruins to the playoffs six times, including a Stanley Cup Final. Cassidy would join the Vegas Golden Knights in the 2022-23 season and win the Stanley Cup with the team that year.

Meanwhile, the Oilers have committed to making bold moves this offseason. One of those bold moves could be making a change at head coach.

The post NHL rumors: Golden Knights shut down Oilers Bruce Cassidy interview request appeared first on ClutchPoints.