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Jun 16, 20261
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John Tortorella Not Returning as Vegas Golden Knights Coach After Stanley Cup Final Run
John Tortorella will not return as Vegas Golden Knights coach after guiding the team to the Stanley Cup Final on an interim basis following his March 30 hiring. General manager Kelly McCrimmon announced the decision Tuesday, one day after the Golden Knights' elimination by Carolina in Game 6 of the final.
Quick Facts
Who
John Tortorella
What
Tortorella hired as interim coach
When
March 30 (Tortorella hired)
Where
Vegas Golden Knights
- Tortorella hired as interim coach
- Golden Knights reached Stanley Cup Final
- Team eliminated in Game 6 of finals
- McCrimmon announced Tortorella not returning
- Golden Knights won 7 of final 8 regular season games
John Tortorella will not continue as coach of the Vegas Golden Knights following their loss in the Stanley Cup Final, general manager Kelly McCrimmon announced Tuesday. Tortorella, hired on an interim basis on March 30 after the firing of Bruce Cassidy with eight games remaining in the regular season, guided the Golden Knights through a remarkable playoff run that culminated in a Game 6 elimination by the Carolina Hurricanes on Sunday night.
McCrimmon praised Tortorella's impact during his brief tenure, stating that his "experience and leadership proved to be the boost" the team needed at a critical juncture. The Golden Knights won seven of their final eight regular-season games under Tortorella before advancing through three playoff rounds to reach the championship series. McCrimmon expressed gratitude for Tortorella's "passion, sincerity, and commitment to our organization."
Players across the roster commended Tortorella's coaching during his time with the team. Defenseman Shea Theodore called him "a fantastic coach" who was "really what our group needed at the end to kind of push us in the playoffs." Defenseman Rasmus Andersson described Tortorella as "a perfect fit at a perfect time," while forward Noah Hanifin praised how quickly Tortorella "was able to get us back on the right track fast and give us a chance."
Tortorella, who will turn 68 next week, has not held a permanent head coaching position since his 2004 Stanley Cup victory with the Tampa Bay Lightning. Prior to joining Vegas, he had coached the New York Rangers, Vancouver, Columbus, and Philadelphia before spending roughly a year out of the league. Despite receiving some criticism in recent days over his decision to stick with goaltender Carter Hart—whose .863 save percentage was the lowest in a Stanley Cup Final since 1991—his overall impact on the team earned widespread respect.
McCrimmon is scheduled to address reporters Wednesday regarding the search for Tortorella's successor. One potential internal candidate is Ryan Craig, who has served as coach of Vegas's American Hockey League affiliate, the Henderson Silver Knights, for the past three seasons.
Topics
Why This Matters
This decision signals a pivotal moment for the Vegas Golden Knights organization as they navigate the balance between recognizing an interim coach's remarkable achievement and pursuing long-term stability. For fans and stakeholders, understanding the reasons behind this choice—despite Tortorella's success in steering the team to the Finals—provides insight into front office strategy, organizational vision, and the critical factors that determine coaching tenure in professional sports. The search for a permanent replacement will reshape the team's direction and competitive outlook.
Timeline & Sources
Mar 30, 2026
WireJohn Tortorella hired as interim head coach of Vegas Golden Knights after Bruce Cassidy fired with 8 games left in regular season