The Edmonton Oilers‘ search for a new head coach continues, and one familiar name remains firmly in the conversation.
Speaking during his season-ending media availability on Tuesday, Vegas Golden Knights general manager Kelly McCrimmon confirmed that he has already granted one team permission to speak with former Golden Knights head coach Bruce Cassidy. According to McCrimmon, those discussions ultimately did not lead anywhere, and any future requests will be handled on a case-by-case basis.
With the Edmonton Oilers currently being the only NHL team with a head coaching vacancy, the comments immediately raise questions about whether Cassidy could once again emerge as a serious candidate.
Cassidy Was Edmonton’s Original Choice
Before the Oilers intensified their pursuit of other candidates, Cassidy was widely believed to be Edmonton’s preferred option. His championship pedigree, defensive structure, and ability to coach star players made him an attractive fit for a team entering a critical period with Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl.
However, Cassidy remains under contract with the Golden Knights, meaning any interested team must first receive permission from Vegas before negotiations can even begin. McCrimmon’s latest comments suggest the Golden Knights are willing to listen, but they are not opening the floodgates. Instead, each request will be evaluated individually.
The interesting wrinkle is that McCrimmon revealed a team had already received permission earlier in the process, but those talks never materialized into anything significant.
Oilers Continue Evaluating Options
Edmonton’s coaching search has been one of the biggest stories around the league this offseason. The organization has been linked to several candidates, including Mike Babcock and John Tortorella, but Cassidy has consistently remained near the top of many observers’ lists.
His track record speaks for itself.
Cassidy guided the Golden Knights to a Stanley Cup in 2023 and helped establish Vegas as one of the NHL’s premier defensive teams. Prior to that, he enjoyed considerable success with the Boston Bruins, compiling one of the league’s best winning percentages during his tenure.
For an Oilers team trying to maximize its championship window, Cassidy represents the type of experienced coach who could immediately command respect inside the dressing room.
Where Does This Go From Here?
At this stage, there is no indication that Edmonton has officially received permission to speak with Cassidy. McCrimmon’s comments simply confirm that the Golden Knights are open to considering requests.
Still, with Edmonton standing as the league’s lone team searching for a head coach, speculation surrounding Cassidy is unlikely to disappear anytime soon. If the Oilers truly viewed him as their first choice earlier in the process, it would not be surprising to see them revisit the possibility.
Whether Vegas would approve another request — especially involving a Pacific Division rival — remains one of the more intriguing storylines to watch as Edmonton continues its search for the coach who will guide the franchise through one of the most important seasons in team history.
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