The Mitch Marner era in Vegas just claimed its first victim as Bruce Cassidy is out and John Tortorella is in
Photo credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images
Mitch Marner was in Vegas less than a year and already has a new coach as the Golden Knights fired Bruce Cassidy and hired John Tortorella in his place as they try to turn things around before it's too late.
On Sunday in a fairly shocking surprise, the Vegas Golden Knights fired head coach Bruce Cassidy after leading them to a 36-26-16 record and replaced him with former Rangers, Lightning, and Flyers head coach John Tortorella:
The Golden Knights put out an official statement on the matter:
We thank Bruce Cassidy for his dedication to our hockey club and community over the past four seasons.
Under Bruce’s leadership, we reached our ultimate goal in 2023 by bringing a Stanley Cup to Vegas. Bruce will forever be remembered with the utmost regard by our organization for what was accomplished here.
With the stretch run of the 2025-26 regular season upon us, we believe that a change is necessary for us to return to the level of play that is expected of our club.
With John Tortorella, we bring in a Stanley Cup Champion as well as one of the most experienced and respected coaches in the NHL. His guidance will be a great asset to our team at the pivotal point in the season we currently face. We look forward to welcoming John to Vegas. - Kelly McCrimmon 03.29.26
Under Bruce’s leadership, we reached our ultimate goal in 2023 by bringing a Stanley Cup to Vegas. Bruce will forever be remembered with the utmost regard by our organization for what was accomplished here.
With the stretch run of the 2025-26 regular season upon us, we believe that a change is necessary for us to return to the level of play that is expected of our club.
With John Tortorella, we bring in a Stanley Cup Champion as well as one of the most experienced and respected coaches in the NHL. His guidance will be a great asset to our team at the pivotal point in the season we currently face. We look forward to welcoming John to Vegas. - Kelly McCrimmon 03.29.26
Cassidy is known for bringing the Cup to Vegas, but this year is the first time in franchise history where they will finish with more overall losses than wins.
Golden Knights are using the John Tortorella hire to ensure the Mitch Marner era goes past the first round
Tortorella last coached in the NHL during the 2024-25 season with the Philadelphia Flyers and was let go on March 27, 2025.
He's coached for 23 years at the NHL level and has amassed a career 770-648-37-165 record (he coached when ties were active). He won the Stanley Cup with the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2003-2004.
So there's a clear reason why they looked to 'Torts' to turn things around. Vegas has struggled heavily and their lineup construction has been questionable at best. It will be interesting to see how Tortorella utilizes Marner as well — does he keep him at centre or actually let him thrive naturally on the right side?
Plus it could lead to a bit of a back and forth between the two especially if Tortorella feels like Marner isn't putting in a 100% effort. With how intense the playoffs can be, you need as intense of a leader behind the bench to help motivate and push you to the next level.
Leave it to the brash and vocal 'Torts' to be exactly what they need going forward.
The Maple Leafs just got a masterclass in how to do an organizational shakeup courtesy of Vegas
We reported earlier about how the team was still resigned to their fate regardless of whether or not they fired Craig Berube, but there's a clear precedent for a move like that.
There are eight games left for Vegas and they just fired their coach because they need a boost. Columbus fired Dean Evason and Rick Bowness has resurrected them from the grave. You move on when it isn't working, regardless of the roster.
Neither Columbus nor Vegas' roster is perfectly constructed and it's clear the coaches didn't get enough out of the team and out they went. They want to win, brought in a winner, and changed their own destinies.
Toronto meanwhile is still struggling to figure out how to even approach the next eight games. Do they tank and try for a pick? Do they salvage something positive? Does anything Craig Berube say matter anymore? This is why they have hung around the basement all year — there's absolutely no direction.
Is Tortorella in Vegas a guaranteed Stanley Cup? No, absolutely not. But he's a very accomplished replacement that is brought in to motivate a team that clearly lost their coach and just invested heavily in a star.
Huh, sounds like something very familiar to Leafs Nation doesn't it?
Also read on Hockey Patrol :
Radko Gudas is now in a walking boot and the timing may have just robbed the Leafs of their payback on Monday
Radko Gudas is now in a walking boot and the timing may have just robbed the Leafs of their payback on Monday
Previously on Hockey Patrol
| POLL | ||
MARS 29|1209 ANSWERS The Mitch Marner era in Vegas just claimed its first victim as Bruce Cassidy is out and John Tortorella is in Was Mitch Marner the sole cause of Bruce Cassidy's firing? | ||
| Yes | 376 | 31.1 % |
| No | 833 | 68.9 % |
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