Oilers Frustrated by Golden Knights’ Block on Bruce Cassidy Talks

The Edmonton Oilers are growing increasingly frustrated after the Vegas Golden Knights refused to allow them to speak with Bruce Cassidy, a move that echoes a past incident between the two Pacific Division rivals. With the Stanley Cup playoffs in full swing and John Tortorella now steering Vegas toward a potential championship, the Oilers’ coaching search remains stalled as they continue to wait for an answer from Golden Knights management.

This isn’t the first time the two teams have clashed over coaching opportunities. As revealed by insider David Pagnotta, Edmonton once asked for permission to interview an assistant coach from the Vegas organization. They received approval, conducted the interview, and extended an offer. But just as the Oilers were about to finalize the deal, Vegas pulled the plug, retaining the coach and later promoting him internally.

Pagnotta said: “But this is not the first incident involving this scenario between Edmonton and Vegas. A few years ago, the Edmonton Oilers asked for permission to speak with one of the assistant coaches within the Vegas/Henderson organization. They were granted permission, the interview took place, and this individual was offered an assistant coaching job with the Oilers. Vegas then denied that pursuit and held onto the contract. He was then elevated within the organization about a year or so later.”

Cassidy, 61, was fired by the Golden Knights in late March and replaced by John Tortorella. Under Tortorella’s guidance, Vegas is just two wins away from reaching the Stanley Cup Final. The Oilers, meanwhile, have yet to confirm a new head coach, with Cassidy’s candidacy seemingly hanging in limbo.

The ongoing tension between the two teams has only deepened an already bitter rivalry. The Oilers rank second in the Pacific Division with a 45-24-5 record (95 points), while Vegas leads the division with a 47-21-7 record (101 points). Their regular-season series was among the most intense in the league, with three of the four games decided by one goal.

With the coaching search dragging on, the Oilers face a critical decision before the start of the 2026-27 season. They remain hopeful that Vegas will reconsider allowing them to speak with Cassidy, but with the Golden Knights showing no signs of softening their stance, that possibility grows increasingly slim.