The Toronto Maple Leafs remain open to the possibility of hiring Bruce Cassidy, despite the Vegas Golden Knights’ refusal to grant permission for interviews. According to The Athletic’s Jonas Siegel, Cassidy has expressed interest in any coaching vacancy and is willing to speak with Toronto, if Vegas allows it. The Golden Knights have so far denied all requests to let their head coach meet with other teams.
Toronto has already spoken with more than 50 candidates and conducted serious interviews with over 20. The club has narrowed the list to a top five, with Peter Laviolette already hired by the Los Angeles Kings. While the window for hiring Cassidy is uncertain, speculation continues that the Golden Knights may reconsider their stance.
John Chayka, Toronto’s new general manager, has made it clear the team will not rush the process. The Leafs parted ways with Craig Berube in late May and have since taken a careful approach to evaluating candidates. With free agency still weeks away, the Leafs have time to assess their options and wait for a potential shift in Vegas’ position.
Cassidy is widely regarded as one of the most accomplished coaches available. He has led the Bruins to two Presidents' Trophy seasons and guided Boston to the Stanley Cup Final in 2022. His .597 winning percentage over 924 career games ranks among the best active head coaches in the NHL.
The Maple Leafs have not yet submitted an interview request to the Golden Knights, likely because the Knights are still in the playoffs. However, there is speculation that the Leafs could revisit the conversation once the season concludes for Vegas.
While the Leafs are not in direct competition with the Golden Knights, the Eastern Conference matchup is seen as a factor in Vegas’ decision-making. A Leafs-Cassidy reunion is not guaranteed, but the potential benefits for Toronto are clear.
With the hiring process ongoing and no immediate pressure, the Maple Leafs have time to decide whether waiting for Cassidy is the right move. Free agency begins on July 10, giving the team more than a month to finalize their decision.
Next up: The Leafs must decide whether to pursue Cassidy or move forward with their current top candidates.
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