Following back-to-back Stanley Cup Final appearances, the Edmonton Oilers hit some choppy waters during a disappointing 2025-26 season that ended with head coach Kris Knoblauch losing his job after a first-round playoff exit. Hoping to quickly reset the direction of the franchise and maximize Connor McDavid’s shrinking championship window, Edmonton turned its attention toward former Vegas Golden Knights coach Bruce Cassidy.
However, the situation became complicated when the Golden Knights withheld permission from the Oilers to interview Cassidy, who still has one year remaining on his contract.
Bruce Cassidy Addresses Vegas Blocking Oilers’ Request for Coaching Interview
Cassidy finally addressed the growing speculation surrounding Edmonton’s interest in hiring him after reports surfaced that the Golden Knights were withholding permission from the Oilers to speak with him. Cassidy spoke to NHL Media and acknowledged that multiple teams had reached out regarding potential coaching opportunities.
He also explained that Vegas still controls the process because he remains under contract with the organization for another season. “Right now, Vegas has to grant permission,” Cassidy said. “They’re in the middle of a playoff series right now, so I’m going to respect that they have other things on their plate.”
The former Golden Knights coach added that he hopes discussions eventually move forward because returning behind an NHL bench remains his top priority. “Hopefully, at some point, they allow me to do that because I’m a coach,” Cassidy said. “It’s what I want to do.”
The situation became one of the NHL offseason’s biggest storylines this week after Edmonton fired Knoblauch and assistant coach Mark Stuart on May 14. The Oilers had just completed a disappointing campaign that included a first-round playoff loss to the Anaheim Ducks and severe regression in goal after the organization traded Stuart Skinner and Brett Kulak for Tristan Jarry.
Edmonton’s defensive struggles and poor save percentage intensified criticism toward general manager Stan Bowman, especially after Kulak later helped the Colorado Avalanche eliminate the Minnesota Wild with a series-winning overtime goal. The backlash surrounding the roster decisions added pressure on management to pursue an experienced replacement capable of maximizing McDavid’s championship window.
Cassidy is a leading target because of his history of building structured defensive systems and his Stanley Cup success with Vegas in 2023. However, the Golden Knights reportedly did not act on Edmonton’s initial interview request, creating tension between the Pacific Division rivals.
ALSO READ: Oilers GM Ducks Awkward Question on Interviewing Bruce Cassidy
While discussing the process, Cassidy also reflected on how quickly coaching situations can change. He recalled his exit from Boston before eventually landing in Vegas and winning a Stanley Cup. “The phone started ringing,” Cassidy said. “All of a sudden, you’re excited about new opportunities.”
Beyond Edmonton, the Toronto Maple Leafs and Los Angeles Kings have also been linked to Cassidy. Still, the Oilers remain at the center of the conversation as the organization searches for stability after another dramatic offseason reset.
