Bruce Cassidy says he’s open to NHL coaching openings, including a potential fit with the Toronto Maple Leafs, but the Vegas Golden Knights have limited his interview options—blocking talks in the Pacific even after firing him last season.
When Bruce Cassidy talks about coaching, he talks like someone who hates idling.
“I’m getting paid money to sit at home. Well, I’d rather go to work, to be honest.” Those words came as Cassidy remains in limbo this offseason, waiting to see whether the Vegas Golden Knights will grant him permission to pursue other head coaching jobs.
The immediate question on the table is whether Vegas will change course. The Golden Knights have reportedly blocked Cassidy from interviewing with two Pacific Division teams—the Los Angeles Kings and the Edmonton Oilers—even as he’s said he would be interested in speaking with other clubs.
In an interview with The Athletic’s Jonas Siegel on Wednesday, Cassidy laid out that openness: the 61-year-old said he’d “have interest in any opening” and was open to speaking with the Toronto Maple Leafs, if allowed, to determine whether the fit was right on both sides.
Cassidy’s interest in the Leafs matters because it points toward a potential path back to the Atlantic Division. the place where his NHL coaching story is rooted. And the complication is timing and permission. While the Golden Knights have not allowed Cassidy to interview with teams in their own Pacific Division. the possibility of an Eastern Conference opening could change how those permissions are handled.
Cassidy was surprisingly fired by Vegas with just eight games remaining in the regular season. The Golden Knights then replaced him with John Tortorella, a move that carried them into a run to the Stanley Cup Final.
Since that firing. Vegas has not been willing to let Cassidy interview for other jobs—despite the fact that he has already been paid a pink slip months ago. The Golden Knights still have leverage because Cassidy is still technically under contract for next season. giving the team the ability to limit his options for the upcoming 2026-27 season.
That is where Cassidy’s comments to Michael Russo last week land with particular weight. Cassidy said he would be willing to forfeit the $5 million the Golden Knights are on the hook to pay him in 2026-27 if it meant he could resume coaching next year.
“I’m getting paid money to sit at home,” Cassidy told Russo. “Well, I’d rather go to work, to be honest. I would. I’d rather earn it. So that’s my position on that. I’d give (the salary) up tomorrow and bet on myself if that freed me up to go interview, but it doesn’t. So that’s the problem.”
He added: “I’d quit and give up the money. It doesn’t let me go to work, though. I’m still waiting for Vegas to let me go. They just get off the hook for salary. I’m not an idiot. I’m not going to do that. But if it was that easy. I would’ve done it a month ago. to be honest. and bet on myself. because I know there’s some openings out there — teams that have asked.”.
The clubs already moving may only underline how tight the window is. While Vegas has not shifted its stance publicly on Cassidy’s interview opportunities, the Kings have already hired Peter Laviolette as their next bench boss. The Oilers have reportedly expressed interest in hiring Mike Babcock.
Cassidy’s record is the foundation of why he still figures to be in demand. His track record as a head coach includes success with both the Bruins and the Golden Knights.
During his six seasons as head coach of the Bruins, Boston went 245-108-46. The team made the playoffs all six seasons and advanced to the Stanley Cup Final—taking it all the way to Game 7 in 2019.
Boston fired Cassidy at the end of the 2021-22 season after the Bruins lost to the Carolina Hurricanes in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
A little over a week later, Cassidy was hired by Vegas. He led the Golden Knights to a Stanley Cup title in his first year.
In four seasons with Vegas, Cassidy posted a 178-99-43 record.
If Cassidy returns to the Atlantic, it could create a familiar kind of disruption for Boston. It would also test the Bruins’ expectations about how the Maple Leafs are shaping their next stretch. Toronto’s situation. at least on paper. has been shaky: the Maple Leafs finished 32-26-14 in 2025-26. a season that could set up a longer-term rebuild or retool.
Boston still has reason to hope for rough waters in Toronto, though, because the Bruins hold Toronto’s future first-round pick—likely in 2028—after the Leafs retained their own first-round selection this year by winning the NHL Draft Lottery.
In Cassidy’s case, the story right now is not about whether he can coach. It’s about whether Vegas will let him take the meeting. One contract clause can turn a proven head coach into a man sitting at home, waiting for permission to go to work.
Bruce Cassidy Vegas Golden Knights Toronto Maple Leafs Los Angeles Kings Edmonton Oilers Peter Laviolette Mike Babcock John Tortorella NHL coaching interviews 2026-27 season