The Bruce Cassidy coaching situation involving the Los Angeles Kings and Vegas Golden Knights continues to become more complicated and impatient this offseason.
Cassidy arguably remains the top available coaching candidate connected to Los Angeles early this offseason.
It's been reported multiple times in this past few weeks that the Kings have had interest in speaking with Cassidy for their head coaching job opening this offseason.
Los Angeles Kings continue waiting as Vegas reportedly blocks Bruce Cassidy from interviewing elsewhere
After weeks of reports indicating Vegas has blocked the Kings and Edmonton Oilers from speaking with Cassidy, the former Golden Knights head coach publicly admitted this week that the situation has become “upsetting.” Cassidy specifically stated that he wants to return to coaching and speak with interested teams.
In an interview with the Spittin' Chiclets podcast show this week, Cassidy admitted to the frustrations he's felt with this process of the Golden Knights blocking him from speaking with other teams early this offseason.
"It’s upsetting…There was two teams that asked it’s public knowledge now, and I would like to talk to them. I want to go to work. I’m a hockey coach."Bruce Cassidy on Spittin' Chiclets
Cassidy’s comments on Spittin’ Chiclets further reinforced recent reports that Vegas has blocked Pacific Division rivals from speaking with him this offseason in this past couple of weeks.
Cassidy’s public frustration may reinforce how serious the Kings are about pursuing him as a coaching candidate this offseason. It’s understandable why one of the league’s top available coaches wants the opportunity to speak with interested teams and return behind the bench.
He has remained one of the most intriguing candidates connected to Los Angeles because of his combination of structure, defensive accountability, and proven playoff success.
The situation becomes even more complicated because both Los Angeles and Edmonton are direct Pacific Division rivals of Vegas. Allowing Cassidy to potentially coach one of the Golden Knights’ biggest competitors could dramatically impact the balance of power in the Western Conference moving forward.
The longer the situation drags on, the more difficult it becomes for the Kings to fully evaluate one of the most accomplished coaching candidates available this offseason. Cassidy remains one of the few available coaches with both recent Stanley Cup success and extensive familiarity coaching in the Pacific Division.
His proven playoff résumé and Stanley Cup success with Vegas in 2023 would make Cassidy an appealing option for a Kings team searching for postseason progress.
The Kings have also reportedly interviewed other coaching candidates on the carousel in this past week, like former New York Rangers head coach Peter Laviolette and Anaheim Ducks assistant coach Jay Woodcroft. One major question is how long the Kings are willing to remain patient as other teams continue aggressively moving through the coaching market.
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