LAS VEGAS -- Former Golden Knights coach Bruce Cassidy called it "upsetting" that he can't interview with other clubs after Vegas management declined reported requests by the Edmonton Oilers and Los Angeles Kings.
"There were two teams that asked," Cassidy said on the Spittin' Chiclets podcast. "It's public knowledge now, and I would like to talk to them. I want to go to work. I'm a hockey coach."
The Golden Knights fired Cassidy with eight games left in the regular season and Vegas struggling to hold on to a playoff spot. John Tortorella replaced Cassidy, won the Pacific Division and then defeated the Utah Mammoth, Anaheim Ducks and Colorado Avalanche in the NHL playoffs to reach the Stanley Cup finals.
Vegas opens at Carolina or Montreal on Tuesday or June 4.
Cassidy, who led the Golden Knights to the 2023 Stanley Cup and is the organization's longest-tenured coach, said contracts come with a standard clause that prohibits clubs from allowing even fired coaches to interview elsewhere without permission. He said his deal goes through next season.
"Probably because they don't want a coach in the middle of the year to resign on Feb. 1 and go work up the street on Feb. 3 because they like a better situation," Cassidy said of the clause.
Vegas general manager Kelly McCrimmon said Thursday he understands how Cassidy feels but is obligated to do what's best for the Golden Knights.
"It's only news because Edmonton leaked it," he told TSN 1050's OverDrive in Toronto. "So this isn't something that came out of our organization. We've been forced to respond to it, which we did prior to our series against the Avalanche.
"I've talked to Bruce as recently as (Wednesday). I know how he feels. I know he wants to coach. He's a hell of a coach. He's anxious to get going. I understand what he wants and why he wants it. But at the same time, I work for the Vegas Golden Knights. My responsibilities are first and foremost to the organization."
The NHL Coaches Association issued a statement May 19 criticizing the Golden Knights for prohibiting Cassidy's ability to interview elsewhere.
"It would be unprecedented at the head coaching level should multiple teams be denied permission to speak with Coach Cassidy," the statement read. "The situation is still unfolding, but our priority is to protect the interests of our members in this type of circumstance."
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.