The Edmonton Oilers may have been eliminated weeks ago, but one of the NHL‘s biggest offseason storylines remains unresolved.
With the Vegas Golden Knights’ season ending in a 3-0 Game 6 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes in the Stanley Cup Final, attention has shifted back to Bruce Cassidy’s uncertain future and Edmonton’s ongoing coaching search.
Speaking on Sports 1440’s The Kevin Karius Show, Sportsnet insider Mark Spector suggested the next move belongs entirely to Vegas.
“We’ve said it before, we’ll say it again, Vegas holds all the cards,” Spector said. “This contract is apparently completely up to them.”
“So the only thing that’s changed now is the season’s over, and it’s time to already… I mean, even though it’s only one day for Vegas and their people there, but it’s already time to start talking about the draft and free agency and next season, even though they played last night. It’s time to move on, and this is part of moving on.”
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Vegas still controls Cassidy’s rights despite dismissing him earlier this year, and the Golden Knights have yet to clarify whether they will allow a division rival such as Edmonton to negotiate with the veteran coach.
Vegas must decide its next move
The timing has become increasingly important.
As Spector noted, the Stanley Cup Final is over and Vegas must now turn its attention toward the draft, free agency, and organizational planning.
“They gotta figure this out one way or another,” Spector said. “Let’s make one final statement on what we’re doing, and let’s move on.”
From Vegas’ perspective, the situation is complicated. The Golden Knights reached the Stanley Cup Final under interim coach John Tortorella after replacing Cassidy late in the season. Even after losing the championship series, Tortorella guided the club through one of the most impressive postseason runs in franchise history.
That success gives management a legitimate hockey decision to make, separate from the Cassidy issue.
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Edmonton Oilers’ clock continues to tick to hire a new coach
The longer Vegas delays, the more pressure shifts onto Edmonton.
The Oilers entered the offseason expecting major changes after a disappointing first-round exit against Anaheim. Instead, they now find themselves waiting on a rival organization while attempting to fill one of the league’s highest-profile coaching vacancies.
Kevin Karius pointed out that the uncertainty extends beyond Cassidy.
“As far as the Oilers are concerned and everyone else, they’re waiting for Vegas again to play that first card,” Karius said before referencing the ongoing NHLPA scrutiny surrounding Mike Babcock.
Spector agreed, saying, “Yeah, that has to happen.”
So, this situation is no longer simply about one coach. It has become a test of organizational direction. Edmonton built its roster around winning now, with Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl still in their prime. Every week spent waiting creates more uncertainty around a team already facing significant pressure.
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Whether Vegas releases Cassidy, retains his rights, or fully commits to Tortorella, the next decision could shape not only the Golden Knights’ future but Edmonton’s as well.
