Cassidy upset Vegas is blocking his move to new coaching job
The fired Vegas coach says the team won't release him from his contract despite being terminated, preventing him from working for two interested NHL teams.
Bruce Cassidy is frustrated with the Vegas Golden Knights over their refusal to let him interview for other coaching positions, despite being fired from his job.
On the Spittin' Chiclets podcast Thursday, Cassidy explained that even though his contract was terminated, Vegas is preventing him from speaking with the Edmonton Oilers and Los Angeles Kings—two teams that have expressed interest. The reason: non-compete clauses in his contract that won't expire until the end of next season.
"I can't resign today and go work for someone tomorrow," Cassidy said. "I can't work until Vegas gives me permission." He continued: "Yes, there were 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."
While Cassidy acknowledged the logic behind mid-season non-competes—preventing a coach from bailing in February—he argued it's poor business when a team fires a coach and then blocks him from finding work elsewhere. Vegas GM Kelly McCrimmon said in May the team was focused on the playoffs and that Cassidy understood the situation. Clearly, that understanding has shifted.
The standoff illustrates the tension between protecting a team's competitive interests and treating a terminated employee fairly.