DENVER (AP) — The NHL Coaches’ Association said Tuesday it is closely monitoring the situation involving Bruce Cassidy amid reports that the Vegas Golden Knights have denied multiple teams permission to speak with him about working for them.
Cassidy was fired in late March and is still under contract through next season, so anyone wishing to interview him must get permission from the Golden Knights, according to league rules.
“It is our position that coaches who remain under contract, but are no longer working for their club, should not be prevented from pursuing other employment opportunities,” the Coaches' Association said in a statement. “It would be unprecedented at the head coaching level should multiple teams be denied permission to speak with Coach Cassidy. The situation is still unfolding, but our priority is to protect the interests of our members in this type of circumstance.”
Vegas has reportedly not allowed Pacific Division rivals Edmonton and Los Angeles to talk to Cassidy when asked since their seasons ended. Word of the Oilers' interest in Cassidy leaked last week before they fired Kris Knoblauch following a first-round playoff exit.
It was not clear if teams in the Eastern Conference or elsewhere in the West sought or received permission to interview him. General manager Kelly McCrimmon confirmed teams have asked for permission to talk to Cassidy.
“We’ve been consistent that our focus currently is on the Stanley Cup Playoffs, and the teams have respected that,” McCrimmon said at a news conference ahead of Game 1 of the West final at the Avalanche on Wednesday night. "I’ve spoken with Bruce. He understands this, as well."
Cassidy, who turns 61 on Wednesday, guided the Golden Knights to the Stanley Cup in 2023, helped Boston reach the final in 2019 and won the Jack Adams Award as NHL coach of the year in the pandemic shortened '19-20 season. He was an assistant on Canada's staff at the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics.
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FILE - Vegas Golden Knights head coach Bruce Cassidy stands behind his bench during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the Pittsburgh Penguins in Pittsburgh, March 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File)
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Bryson Stott put the Phillies ahead with a two-run single in the sixth inning, and Philadelphia rallied for its fifth straight victory, 6-4 over the Miami Marlins on Tuesday night.
The Phillies trailed 3-1 before they sent nine batters to the plate in the sixth and scored four times against reliever Michael Petersen (2-3). Alec Bohm, who also had an RBI single in the first, opened the scoring in the sixth with a run-scoring double. After Stott's hit — which extended his on-base streak to a career-high 19 games — Justin Crawford had a run-scoring single to make it 5-3.
Philadelphia occupies the second NL wild-card spot after sweeping Minnesota and winning the first two against the Marlins.
Alex McFarlane (1-1) allowed one unearned run in the sixth, earning his first career win. Brooks Raley, the fifth Phillies pitcher, retired the side on 12 pitches in the ninth for his first save.
Phillies starter Zack Wheeler gave up two runs in five innings. He struck out seven and walked four.
Griffin Conine homered in the second for the Marlins, his 14th of the season.
Bohm completed an unassisted double play at first base in the seventh when he caught a line drive and stepped on the bag.
In the seventh, Philadelphia's Trea Turner was hit by a pitch on his left hand, but plate umpire Shane Livensparger ruled that Turner swung at the 1-2 pitch for a strikeout. A replay review confirmed the call, and Phillies manager Don Mattingly had a lengthy chat with the umpiring crew.
Phillies star Bryce Harper extended his on-base streak to 22 games with a single in the first.
Marlins ace Sandy Alcantara (13-7, 3.43 ERA) pitches against the Phillies' Aaron Nola (4-9, 5.33 ERA) on Wednesday as Miami seeks to avoid a three-game sweep.
See AP’s full MLB coverage here
Philadelphia Phillies' Brandon Marsh brakes his bat while grounding out off a pitch by Miami Marlins pitcher Josh Ekness a during the fourth inning of a baseball game, Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Philadelphia Phillies' Bryce Harper scoots past Miami Marlins catcher Brian Navarreto off of an RBI single by Phillies Alec Bohm during the first inning of a baseball game, Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Brooks Raley, right, and catcher J.T. Realmuto celebrate after the Phillies won a baseball game against the Miami Marlins, Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Philadelphia Phillies' Luis Arraez, left, and Alec Bohm, right, celebrate with Brandon Marsh (16) after scoring of an RBI double hit by Phillies Bryson Stott during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins,Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Philadelphia Phillies' Bryson Stott, scores past Miami Marlins catcher Brian Navarreto, on an RBI single by Kyle Schwarber, during the eighth inning of a baseball game, Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
