John Tortorella will not return as coach of the Vegas Golden Knights

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1. 9d ago

   John Tortorella not returning as Vegas Golden Knights coach

   The Vegas Golden Knights have announced that John Tortorella will not return as coach for the next season. Ryan Craig has been hired as the new head coach. Tortorella previously served as an interim coach and led the team to the Stanley Cup Final. The team also signed Olofsson to help replace Dorofeyev.

   What's confirmed:

   • John Tortorella will not return as coach of the Vegas Golden Knights
   • Ryan Craig is set to take over as head coach of the Vegas Golden Knights
   • Tortorella previously served as an interim coach and reached the Stanley Cup Final
   • The Vegas Golden Knights signed Olofsson to help replace Dorofeyev
   Sources used for this update (2)

   1. Golden Knights hire Craig as coach, sign Olofsson to help replace Dorofeyev
   2. Sharks sign forward Macklin Celebrini to 5-year, $94M extension
   confidence 100%
2. 11d ago

   Ryan Craig to replace John Tortorella as Vegas Golden Knights coach

   General Manager Kelly McCrimmon confirmed John Tortorella will not return for the next season. Ryan Craig is set to take over as head coach. Tortorella previously served as an interim coach and reached the Stanley Cup Final.

   What's confirmed:

   • General Manager Kelly McCrimmon announced John Tortorella will not return after the 2025-26 season.
   • Ryan Craig is the replacement for Tortorella.
   • Tortorella previously served as an interim coach and led the team to the Stanley Cup Final.
   • Joel Ward was named head coach of the Vegas Golden Knights' AHL affiliate.

   Still unconfirmed:

   • Joel Ward intends to move up to the NHL level.
   Sources used for this update (3)

   1. Will Joel Ward become the NHL’s second Black head coach? His peers have ‘no doubt’
   2. Deen’s Daily: Should Kadri Play the Wing?; Panthers Built For Many Years; Reaves Hopes to Keep Playing
   3. 'We Exhausted The Universe Of Candidates': Neil Glasberg Details Search Process That Landed John Chayka As Maple Leafs GM
   confidence 100%
3. 43d ago

   Vegas Golden Knights Remove John Tortorella as Head Coach

   General Manager Kelly McCrimmon announced that John Tortorella will not return after the 2025-26 season. Tortorella previously served as an interim coach and led the team to the Stanley Cup Final. Ryan Craig is the replacement.

   What's confirmed:

   • General Manager Kelly McCrimmon announced John Tortorella will not return after the 2025-26 season.
   • Tortorella led the Golden Knights to the Stanley Cup Final as an interim coach.
   • Ryan Craig is the new head coach.
   Sources used for this update (4)

   1. Vegas Golden Knights Provide Update on Team's Coaching Staff
   2. John Tortorella will not return as coach of Vegas Golden Knights
   3. Vegas Golden Knights fire Bruce Cassidy, name John Tortorella as new head coach
   4. Vegas Golden Knights fire head coach Bruce Cassidy, hire John Tortorella as...
   confidence 100%
4. 46d ago

   Vegas Golden Knights Name Ryan Craig as Head Coach

   The Vegas Golden Knights have hired 44-year-old Ryan Craig to replace John Tortorella. Craig previously served as a Vegas assistant and led the team's AHL affiliate for three seasons. Tortorella led the team to the Stanley Cup Final as an interim coach before his dismissal.

   What's confirmed:

   • Ryan Craig is the new head coach of the Vegas Golden Knights.
   • Craig is 44 years old.
   • Craig spent the last three seasons guiding the team's AHL affiliate.
   • John Tortorella will not return as coach after leading the team to the Stanley Cup Final.
   • The Golden Knights lost the Stanley Cup Final to Carolina.
   • General manager Kelly McCrimmon stated Tortorella hoped to coach the team next season but was told Ryan Craig would take over.

   Still unconfirmed:

   • John Tortorella felt "disappointed" that the team decided to let him go.
   • The dismissal of John Tortorella was abrupt.
   Sources used for this update (9)

   1. Tortorella doubles down on Carter Hart as Golden Knights face elimination in...
   2. Craig named coach of Golden Knights, replaces Tortorella
   3. John Tortorella 'Disappointed' Vegas Decided to Let Him Go
   4. John Tortorella will not return as coach of the Vegas Golden Knights ...
   5. Report: Vegas turned their back on John Tortorella
   6. New report sheds light on John Tortorella's return behind an NHL bench
   7. Golden Knights Move Quick to Hire Head Coach John Tortorella's ...
   8. John Tortorella wanted to coach Vegas Golden Knights, who hired Ryan ...
   9. Golden Knights promote Ryan Craig to head coach from AHL
   confidence 100%
5. 50d ago

   Vegas Golden Knights announce John Tortorella will not return

   General manager Kelly McCrimmon confirmed Tuesday that John Tortorella is leaving the coaching staff after the 2025-26 season. Tortorella announced his departure during the Stanley Cup Final. The team is now searching for its fifth head coach in nine seasons.

   What's confirmed:

   • John Tortorella will not return to the Vegas Golden Knights coaching staff after the 2025-26 season.
   • General manager Kelly McCrimmon announced the move on Tuesday.
   Sources used for this update (2)

   1. John Tortorella announces departure during Stanley Cup Final
   2. John Tortorella will not return as coach of Vegas Golden Knights ...
   confidence 100%
6. 51d ago

   Vegas Golden Knights Part Ways With John Tortorella

   The Vegas Golden Knights will not retain John Tortorella as head coach. Tortorella served in an interim capacity and led the team to the 2026 Stanley Cup Final. The organization is now seeking its fifth head coach in nine seasons.

   What's confirmed:

   • John Tortorella will not return as head coach for the Vegas Golden Knights.
   • Tortorella led the team to the Stanley Cup Final as an interim coach.
   • The Vegas Golden Knights are searching for their fifth head coach in nine seasons.
   Sources used for this update (4)

   1. Golden Knights players react to the end of John Tortorella’s short tenure in Vegas
   2. John Tortorella will not return as Golden Knights head coach
   3. John Tortorella will not return as coach of the Vegas Golden Knights
   4. Golden Knights Part Ways With John Tortorella After Stanley Cup Final Run
   confidence 100%
7. 51d ago

   Golden Knights name Ryan Craig as Tortorella’s permanent replacement

   The Vegas Golden Knights will not retain John Tortorella as head coach after his interim run led them to the 2026 Stanley Cup Final. The team has promoted AHL affiliate coach Ryan Craig to replace Tortorella, finalizing the decision following a press conference by GM Kelly McCrimmon. Craig’s contract was agreed upon immediately after the Final loss. The move marks a full transition away from Tortorella’s short-term tenure.

   What's confirmed:

   • John Tortorella will not return as head coach of the Vegas Golden Knights for the 2026-27 season, ending his interim tenure that concluded with a Stanley Cup Final appearance.
   • Ryan Craig, the Golden Knights’ AHL affiliate coach in Henderson, has been promoted to head coach and signed a contract to replace Tortorella.
   • General Manager Kelly McCrimmon confirmed the decision in a press conference held the day after Tortorella’s departure was announced.
   • Tortorella was hired as interim coach in late March 2026 with eight games remaining in the regular season.

   Still unconfirmed:

   • Unconfirmed reports suggest Tortorella’s departure was influenced by internal disagreements over long-term strategy, though no details have been publicly disclosed.
   Sources used for this update (18)

   1. Tortorella won't return as Golden Knights coach
   2. Golden Knights coaching candidates: Who's available with John Tortorella out?
   3. John Tortorella not returning as Vegas Golden Knights head coach
   4. Lawless: Vegas Born Ryan Craig Takes the VGK Helm
   5. Golden Knights promote Ryan Craig to head coach from AHL
   6. Vegas Golden Knights Hire Ryan Craig To Replace John Tortorella
   7. Knights promote Ryan Craig from AHL affiliate to head coach
   8. Vegas Golden Knights move on from John Tortorella and officially name his replacement
   9. NHL world reacts to Golden Knights' John Tortorella decision after SCF loss
   10. Kelly McCrimmon holding press conference day after Tortorella ousted from VGK coaching staff
   11. Golden Knights, Ryan Craig Agree to HC Contract to Replace Tortorella After Stanley Cup Final Loss
   12. Golden Knights promote Ryan Craig from Henderson to Vegas
   confidence 99%
8. 52d ago

   John Tortorella won’t return as Vegas Golden Knights coach after Cup Final run

   The Golden Knights announced John Tortorella will not return for the 2026-27 season following his interim tenure, which led the team to the Stanley Cup Final. General Manager Kelly McCrimmon confirmed the decision after a loss to Carolina in the Final. Tortorella was hired in late March with eight games left in the regular season. The team thanked him for his guidance but opted not to extend his contract.

   What's confirmed:

   • John Tortorella will not return as coach of the Vegas Golden Knights for the 2026-27 NHL season.
   • General Manager Kelly McCrimmon announced the decision, stating the team needed immediate impact when hiring Tortorella in late March.
   • Tortorella was hired with eight games remaining in the regular season and led the Golden Knights to the Stanley Cup Final.
   • The team thanked Tortorella for his guidance since joining the organization in March.
   • Tortorella is a 67-year-old coach who took over mid-season and delivered a Cup Final appearance.

   Still unconfirmed:

   • Speculation suggests Tortorella may pursue coaching opportunities with other NHL teams, including the Edmonton Oilers.
   Sources used for this update (15)

   1. Vegas Golden Knights Provide Update on Team's Coaching Staff
   2. John Tortorella's Future as Golden Knights HC Determined After 2026 NHL Stanley Cup Final Loss
   3. John Tortorella won't return as coach of Golden Knights
   4. I Hope John Tortorella Didn’t Bother Unpacking
   5. John Tortorella out as Golden Knights coach after Stanley Cup Final run
   6. Pros and Cons of the Edmonton Oilers Hiring John Tortorella
   7. John Tortorella will not return as coach of the Vegas Golden Knights
   8. Tortorella won't return as Golden Knights coach - NHL.com
   9. John Tortorella will not return as coach of Vegas Golden Knights
   10. Why Golden Knights aren't bringing back John Tortorella as head coach ...
   11. John Tortorella won't return as coach of Golden Knights - ESPN
   12. John Tortorella not returning as coach of the Vegas Golden Knights
   confidence 98%