The coaching carousel is already heating up in the NHL, and two of the league’s biggest franchises appear to be chasing the same target.
The Toronto Maple Leafs shocked many around the league by firing head coach Craig Berube after another disappointing season that ended without a deep playoff run. The next morning, reports emerged of the Edmonton Oilers moving on from Kris Knoblauch following a frustrating first-round exit.
Now, both teams are searching for a new bench boss, and one insider believes Edmonton may have the inside track on landing Bruce Cassidy.
Oilers Seen as Better Fit for Bruce Cassidy
The Oilers’ interest in Bruce Cassidy became public after reports surfaced that Edmonton requested permission from the Vegas Golden Knights to interview the veteran coach.
So far, Vegas has withheld permission for its Pacific Division rival, though many around the league believe that could eventually change. If permission is granted, both the Oilers and Toronto Maple Leafs are expected to be interested in the Cup-winning coach.
All things being equal, NHL insider Chris Johnston believes Edmonton is in a much stronger position to attract Cassidy. “I don’t think the fit’s right,” Johnston said when discussing Toronto. “You know, I can’t rule it out entirely, but to me, they’re not at the same position Edmonton is.”
Johnston explained that despite Edmonton’s early playoff exit, the Oilers are still fully committed to winning immediately with Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl leading the core. “I still see them being all-in a 100 percent doing everything they can to win a Stanley Cup next season,” Johnston added.
Johnston believes Toronto may be entering a longer retooling phase. “There’s an understanding in Toronto that it might take a few years before they can get to that spot,” he reported.
In Johnston’s view, Edmonton only needs adjustments around its core to get back into Stanley Cup contention, while Toronto faces a much bigger roster reset after years of playoff frustration.
That difference could make the Oilers a far more appealing situation for Cassidy, who has built a reputation as a win-now coach after successful runs with the Boston Bruins and Golden Knights.
At the same time, Vegas’s refusal to immediately grant permission has reportedly frustrated coaches around the league. One current NHL coach criticized the process, saying, “It’s ridiculous that we even need to ask for permission,” the coach said. “It should just be a formality.”
DON’T MISS: ‘Last-Ditch Effort to Pass the Blame’: NHL World Raises Questions as Oilers Fire Kris Knoblauch
The Los Angeles Kings have also been linked to Cassidy and could face similar issues if Vegas continues limiting access to divisional rivals.
For now, the coaching battle between Edmonton and Toronto appears to be just beginning, but according to Johnston, the Oilers may already hold the edge.
