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The Vegas Golden Knights have decided not to bring back John Tortorella despite his remarkable run to the 2026 Stanley Cup Final. This move soon led to strong reactions across the NHL.
General Manager Kelly McCrimmon announced Tuesday that Tortorella will not return to the organization next season.
“We thank Torts for the guidance he provided our team since joining the organization in March,” McCrimmon said. “When the decision was made to bring Torts to Vegas, we needed an immediate impact to help us at a pivotal point in the season. Torts’ experience and leadership proved to be the boost that we were looking for, helping guide us to the Stanley Cup Final.”
Tortorella was hired on March 29 after Vegas fired Bruce Cassidy. The veteran coach immediately stabilized the club, leading the Golden Knights to a 7-0-1 finish in the regular season before guiding them to a 14-8 playoff record. Vegas swept the Presidents’ Trophy-winning Colorado Avalanche and reached the Final before falling to the Carolina Hurricanes in six games.
MORE: Hurricanes clap back at Vegas coach John Tortorella’s ‘leave my clothes’ comment after Stanley Cup win
The decision surprised many around the league given the team’s turnaround under Tortorella.
One supporter wrote, “Great run! On to the next, sounds like he has changed his demeanor, and this would be a better Oilers coach than a bully,” referencing Edmonton’s reported interest in Mike Babcock.
Another user joked, “Well, now he has free time to travel to Raleigh and get his clothes that he left in the hotel.”
A fan reacted, saying, “Oilers, that’s your guy,” pointing to the Oilers’ coaching vacancy.
One user wrote, saying, “Wow, what a bad decision. He took you to the dance and almost got you the ring. This is really poor.”
One fan reacted, writing, “Getting rid of a coach and then hiring a new one so close to the postseason like they did with Torts, should not be allowed. The NHL needs to put a date on when these things need to occur by…”.
A fan said, “As expected. Torts even said it himself. This was for the cup run only.”
Vegas Golden Knights head coach John Tortorella leave the ice during the 2026 Stanley Cup Final at Lenovo Center. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-Imagn Images
The larger question is what this decision says about the Golden Knights’ long-term vision.
TSN analyst Travis Yost added fuel to the discussion by posting, “Bring back Cassidy for the content now,” referencing the coach Vegas dismissed late in the season. Cassidy remains under contract, and reports indicate the organization has denied interview requests from both Edmonton and Los Angeles.
For Vegas, moving on from Tortorella is risky. Vegas responded well to his structure, accountability, and defensive emphasis. However, the Stanley Cup Final exposed some roster issues that coaching alone could not solve. Carolina’s aggressive forecheck and defensive depth shut down Vegas’ attack, particularly over the final three games.
MORE: Mitch Marner hit with familiar ‘disappeared’ criticism after Golden Knights’ loss
The Golden Knights have never been afraid to make unconventional decisions. This move continues that trend. Whether it proves correct will depend on who replaces Tortorella and whether Vegas can build on a season that ended two wins short of a championship.
Continue reading...
General Manager Kelly McCrimmon announced Tuesday that Tortorella will not return to the organization next season.
“We thank Torts for the guidance he provided our team since joining the organization in March,” McCrimmon said. “When the decision was made to bring Torts to Vegas, we needed an immediate impact to help us at a pivotal point in the season. Torts’ experience and leadership proved to be the boost that we were looking for, helping guide us to the Stanley Cup Final.”
Tortorella was hired on March 29 after Vegas fired Bruce Cassidy. The veteran coach immediately stabilized the club, leading the Golden Knights to a 7-0-1 finish in the regular season before guiding them to a 14-8 playoff record. Vegas swept the Presidents’ Trophy-winning Colorado Avalanche and reached the Final before falling to the Carolina Hurricanes in six games.
MORE: Hurricanes clap back at Vegas coach John Tortorella’s ‘leave my clothes’ comment after Stanley Cup win
The decision surprised many around the league given the team’s turnaround under Tortorella.
One supporter wrote, “Great run! On to the next, sounds like he has changed his demeanor, and this would be a better Oilers coach than a bully,” referencing Edmonton’s reported interest in Mike Babcock.
Another user joked, “Well, now he has free time to travel to Raleigh and get his clothes that he left in the hotel.”
A fan reacted, saying, “Oilers, that’s your guy,” pointing to the Oilers’ coaching vacancy.
One user wrote, saying, “Wow, what a bad decision. He took you to the dance and almost got you the ring. This is really poor.”
One fan reacted, writing, “Getting rid of a coach and then hiring a new one so close to the postseason like they did with Torts, should not be allowed. The NHL needs to put a date on when these things need to occur by…”.
A fan said, “As expected. Torts even said it himself. This was for the cup run only.”
What comes next for the Golden Knights?
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Vegas Golden Knights head coach John Tortorella leave the ice during the 2026 Stanley Cup Final at Lenovo Center. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-Imagn Images
The larger question is what this decision says about the Golden Knights’ long-term vision.
TSN analyst Travis Yost added fuel to the discussion by posting, “Bring back Cassidy for the content now,” referencing the coach Vegas dismissed late in the season. Cassidy remains under contract, and reports indicate the organization has denied interview requests from both Edmonton and Los Angeles.
For Vegas, moving on from Tortorella is risky. Vegas responded well to his structure, accountability, and defensive emphasis. However, the Stanley Cup Final exposed some roster issues that coaching alone could not solve. Carolina’s aggressive forecheck and defensive depth shut down Vegas’ attack, particularly over the final three games.
MORE: Mitch Marner hit with familiar ‘disappeared’ criticism after Golden Knights’ loss
The Golden Knights have never been afraid to make unconventional decisions. This move continues that trend. Whether it proves correct will depend on who replaces Tortorella and whether Vegas can build on a season that ended two wins short of a championship.
Continue reading...
