Bruce Cassidy may be closer to his next NHL job.
The Vegas Golden Knights granted permission for one other team to speak with Cassidy midway through the Stanley Cup Playoffs, general manager Kelly McCrimmon revealed to reporters at his end-of-season media availability.
McCrimmon added that he would grant permission for teams to speak with Cassidy on a case-by-case basis going forward.
Up until the Cup Final, the Golden Knights had denied multiple teams permission to speak with Cassidy since his firing on March 20, a choice that McCrimmon defended.
“We've been consistent that our focus currently is on the Stanley Cup Playoffs, and the teams have respected that,” McCrimmon said ahead of the Western Conference Final.
“I've spoken with Bruce, he understands this as well.”
Cassidy is under contract with Vegas until the conclusion of the 2026-27 season.
For his part, Cassidy called the situation "upsetting" and reiterated his desire to get back behind an NHL bench as soon as possible during an interview with Spittin' Chiclets on May 28.
"I want to go to work. I’m a hockey coach," Cassidy said.
"Once you're fired, your contract's basically terminated, but the one thing people don't realize is ... you have no-compete clauses, so I can't resign today and go work for someone tomorrow," Cassidy added. "I can't work until Vegas gives me permission until this contract's up, which is at the end of next season. So if I resign, all I do is not get paid."
Cassidy won a Stanley Cup with the Golden Knights in 2023 and led the team to the post-season in each of his years behind the bench.
Before joining the Golden Knights, Cassidy led the Boston Bruins to playoff appearances in all six of his seasons with them.
With the Toronto Maple Leafs' hiring of Jim Hiller as head coach and the Golden Knights promoting Ryan Craig to lead the bench on Wednesday, the Edmonton Oilers are the only team remaining with a head-coach vacancy.
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