Former Vegas Golden Knights head coach Bruce Cassidy said the team is preventing other NHL clubs from interviewing him for coaching positions.
The situation highlights a potential conflict between team contractual protections and a coach's ability to maintain a career after leaving a franchise. If these restrictions hold, it could set a precedent for how NHL teams manage the movement of former staff.
Cassidy said he is frustrated over the Golden Knights' decision to decline reported interview requests from other teams. He described the situation as "upsetting" and said that he wants to return to work [1, 2, 3].
According to reports, the Golden Knights management denied these requests by citing specific contractual language that restricts Cassidy from speaking with rival teams [4, 5]. This move effectively blocks the coach from pursuing new opportunities within the league while the restrictions remain in place.
There are conflicting reports regarding the duration of these restrictions. Some sources indicate the team is blocking interview requests immediately [4], while other reports suggest Cassidy may be unable to coach for another NHL team until the end of the 2026-27 season [3].
Cassidy said he wants to return to the bench during a recent podcast appearance [3]. He did not specify the teams that had attempted to contact him, but the restriction remains a point of contention between the former coach and the Las Vegas organization.
Because the Golden Knights hold the contractual authority to grant or deny permission for these interviews, Cassidy remains in a professional limbo until the team relents or the contract terms expire [4, 5].
“"It's upsetting," Bruce Cassidy said about the Golden Knights denying him permission to speak to NHL teams.”
This dispute underscores the power imbalance created by restrictive coaching contracts in the NHL. By leveraging contractual language to block interviews, the Golden Knights are not only preventing a former employee from seeking work but are also limiting the options of other teams seeking leadership. The outcome may depend on whether the league deems these restrictions an unreasonable restraint of trade or a valid enforcement of a signed agreement.
