From the moment Bruce Cassidy was shockingly fired as head coach of the Vegas Golden Knights, speculation and rumors have connected him to the Edmonton Oilers.
Kris Knoblauch lasted through the rest of the 2025-26 campaign in Edmonton, but not much longer, as we recently saw him let go after spending parts of three seasons behind the Oilers’ bench.
That, along with the previous news of Edmonton’s request to speak with Cassidy, has him feeling like the clear frontrunner for the job. However, as much as that may be their preference, insider Bob Stauffer reaffirmed during a recent appearance on Spittin’ Chiclets that nothing is guaranteed just yet.
“I’m gonna tell you exactly the type of coach they’re going to go get, and it’s a different coach than Knoblauch. It’s going to be an experienced coach with gravitas, someone who can put structure and process into the team’s game, probably help the penalty kill, and has won before. That’s going to be the type of guy they’re looking for… If you don’t get Cassidy—well, there’s no guarantee they will,”
The 60-year-old Cassidy went 32-26-16 with the Golden Knights this past season before being fired in late March.
Los Angeles and Toronto are also searching for new head coaches, and while the Kings are reportedly very interested in Cassidy, the Maple Leafs are unlikely to go in that direction.
If Vegas ultimately allows Edmonton permission to hire him, you’d have to think the veteran coach would choose the opportunity to lead a team built around prime Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl.
That said, plenty of uncertainty remains, which is why other names like Peter Laviolette, Craig Berube, and even John Tortorella have surfaced in recent days as possible alternatives.
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