Just over one year ago, Bruce Cassidy was fired by the Boston Bruins. Eight days later, the Vegas Golden Knights hired Cassidy as the third head coach in Vegas’ short history. Cassidy was tasked to take charge and lead the Golden Knights into the playoffs after they missed the playoffs in the 2021-22 season. Cassidy took over for Peter DeBoer, who failed to get the Vegas Golden Knights into the post-season. While the bar was high for Cassidy’s arrival, here’s why Cassidy’s firing benefitted both the Boston Bruins and Vegas Golden Knights.
The Boston Bruins made the playoffs six consecutive times under head coach Bruce Cassidy. However, the Bruins recorded 36 wins and 37 losses in 73 playoff games. Boston would also find themselves in the 2019 Stanley Cup Finals under head coach Bruce Cassidy. While Boston lost to the St. Louis Blues in seven games, the future was looking up for the original six franchise. However, what followed the Bruins after being unable to capture the 2019 Stanley Cup put the final nail in the coffin for Bruce Cassidy as the team’s head coach. Playoff failures and players’ frustration with the coach led to the decision to bring a new voice to the locker room.
Letting Cassidy go led to the Bruins bringing in Jim Montgomery. Montgomery, who would become the Bruins new head coach, played a massive role in the Bruins breaking regular season records. While Boston couldn’t capitalize on the momentum heading into the playoffs, things still look promising under Jim Montgomery. On the other side of the fence, Bruce Cassidy would triumphantly lead the Vegas Golden Knights to the franchise’s first Stanley Cup Championship.
Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci would connect with their new coach, lead the team to break, and set a record that may never be touched again. While the Bruins would have loved to hoist Lord Stanley at the end of their record-setting season, Bruce Cassidy got the job done in Vegas. Firing Bruce Cassidy was a win for the Vegas Golden Knights and the Boston Bruins. Vegas hired the coach that helped them get their first franchise Stanley Cup while the Bruins got their fresh voice in their new head coach Jim Montgomery.
