McCrimmon defends – Vegas Golden Knights GM Kelly McCrimmon said Tuesday he’s kept the door closed for other teams to speak with Bruce Cassidy while the club focuses on the Stanley Cup Playoffs. His remarks came as the NHL Coaches’ Association called the denial of permission “unp
For the Golden Knights. the postseason has been a tightrope walk between playoff focus and the outside world pushing for answers. Tuesday brought both—an explanation for why former coach Bruce Cassidy still hasn’t been cleared for other teams to talk to him. and a firm acknowledgment of why Vegas will not repeat its latest media mishap.
Kelly McCrimmon, the Vegas general manager, said teams have asked for permission to speak with Cassidy. He framed the delay as a matter of timing and priorities during the Stanley Cup Playoffs. “Teams have asked for permission to speak with Bruce. We’ve been consistent that our focus currently is on the Stanley Cup Playoffs. and the teams have respected that. ” McCrimmon said in a prepared statement. “I’ve spoken with Bruce, he understands this as well.”.
Cassidy was fired in late March, with Vegas replacing him with John Tortorella. Under league rules, Vegas remains financially responsible for the final year of Cassidy’s contract, meaning other clubs interested in hiring him must first receive written permission from the Golden Knights.
That rule is at the heart of the tension. Last week. NHL insider Frank Seravalli reported that the Edmonton Oilers had reached out to Vegas for permission. but it had not yet been granted. The Oilers had not fired head coach Kris Knoblauch when that report was made. but they did part ways with him later in the week.
The conflict has spilled into league governance as well. Earlier Tuesday. the NHL Coaches’ Association issued a statement saying that denying Cassidy permission to seek employment elsewhere would be “unprecedented.” The association said it respects league rules and processes. but argued that coaches still under contract and no longer working for their club shouldn’t be blocked from pursuing other opportunities. It added that it would be unprecedented at the head-coaching level if multiple teams were denied permission to speak with Cassidy. describing the situation as still unfolding while emphasizing a priority to protect coaches’ interests in this type of circumstance.
While the Cassidy permissions question plays out behind the scenes, Vegas is also dealing with fallout from how it handled a very public moment after Game 6.
After last week’s series-clinching win over the Anaheim Ducks. Vegas did not open its dressing room to reporters and did not make Tortorella available at the podium. The NHL fined Tortorella $100,000 and docked the Golden Knights a second-round pick in this June’s NHL Draft. Vegas met with the NHL in New York earlier Tuesday to appeal, but the punishment was upheld.
McCrimmon addressed it directly, placing the blame where it landed in his mind. “We were today in New York. where we had a hearing with the National Hockey League regarding the events following Game 6. We missed a great opportunity that night to connect with our fans and share with them the victory of a playoff series. I’ve always felt in a playoff series, when you win a series, you galvanize the bond with your fan base. We missed that opportunity by not having John available to do post-game. That’s on John for failing to do that. That’s on me as a general manager of the hockey club,” he said.
He added that he didn’t see the decision as something his communications staff could be blamed for. “That’s not at the feet of our comms people, who made other arrangements with each of you to accommodate tight quarters in and around our dressing room post-game.”
Then he underscored the message of accountability and closure. “We have no explanation other than to say we were wrong and to assure you that it will not happen again. The league has spoken on the matter. We have spoken on the matter. Neither John or I will be taking any questions on this.”
Taken together. the two issues—Cassidy’s permission to talk and the media access dispute—show how Vegas is navigating rules. timing. and public scrutiny even as the postseason tightens. For now. McCrimmon’s stance on Cassidy remains tied to playoff focus. while the league’s consequences for Game 6 remain tied to what happened after the Ducks series ended.
The next test arrives immediately. The Golden Knights open the Western Conference Final on Wednesday in Denver against the Avalanche.
Vegas Golden Knights Bruce Cassidy Kelly McCrimmon John Tortorella NHL Coaches' Association Kris Knoblauch Edmonton Oilers Stanley Cup Playoffs Western Conference Final Colorado Avalanche Anaheim Ducks