Vegas Golden Knights and John Tortorella part ways after Stanley Cup run
Vegas Golden Knights part ways with coach Tortorella after reaching Stanley Cup Final and losing to Carolina.
Event / Sports
Vegas Golden Knights Coaching Change
The Vegas Golden Knights announced that head coach John Tortorella will not return for the 2026-27 season after leading the team to the Stanley Cup Final in his interim role.
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2026-08-16 to 2026-11-13 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 17 Jun, 02:03 UTC
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What happened
Vegas Golden Knights fired head coach Bruce Cassidy in March
The Vegas Golden Knights fired head coach Bruce Cassidy on March 29, 2026, following a stretch in which the team lost 12 of 17 games ahead of the playoffs. Cassidy had previously led the Golden Knights to a Stanley Cup championship over the Florida Panthers in 2023. He was replaced by John Tortorella.
Vegas Golden Knights announce John Tortorella will not return as head coach
The Vegas Golden Knights announced on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, that head coach John Tortorella will not return for the 2026-27 season. Tortorella was hired in March 2026 to replace fired head coach Bruce Cassidy with eight games remaining in the regular season. General manager Kelly McCrimmon stated the team was grateful for Tortorella's leadership and the boost he provided during a critical point in the season.
Vegas Golden Knights lost 2026 second-round draft pick for media policy violations
The Vegas Golden Knights lost a 2026 second-round draft pick due to violations of the NHL's media policy during the 2025-26 season.
Carolina Hurricanes win Stanley Cup over Vegas Golden Knights
The Carolina Hurricanes defeated the Vegas Golden Knights 3-0 at T-Mobile Arena on Sunday night to win the Stanley Cup Final in six games. The Hurricanes secured their first Stanley Cup championship since 2006. Vegas lost the series after building a 2-1 lead, with the team struggling particularly with goaltending, as Carter Hart became the first goalie in league history to allow four or more goals in each of the first four games of a Stanley Cup Final.
Vegas Golden Knights reach Stanley Cup Final under Tortorella, lose to Carolina Hurricanes
Under John Tortorella's leadership after joining in March 2026, the Vegas Golden Knights reached the Stanley Cup Final. The team went 7-0-1 in its final eight regular season games and compiled a 14-8 postseason record, defeating the Utah Mammoth and Anaheim Ducks in six games each before sweeping the Presidents' Trophy-winning Colorado Avalanche in the Western Conference Final. The Golden Knights lost the Stanley Cup Final to the Carolina Hurricanes in six games.
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