Stunning Bruce Cassidy update sparks intrigue around Maple Leafs job

The Toronto Maple Leafs opened the 2026-27 season under Jim Hiller, but the early returns have been polarizing. And waiting in the wings is a coach who reportedly still has his sights set squarely on that very job.

Bruce Cassidy, the 2023 Stanley Cup champion who was let go by the Vegas Golden Knights last season ahead of the playoffs, remains without an NHL coaching position. He is currently serving as a special adviser to Hockey Canada's women's national team as they prepare for the IIHF World Championships in Denmark this November. It is keeping him busy, but by his own admission, it is also filling a void.

In a recent interview with Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic, Cassidy opened up about where he stands. "I've been going to training camps for 45 years as a player and then as a coach. So we have one here. It's what you're used to," Cassidy said. "Just trying to stay in a routine, so to speak. Great people here. This opportunity came up, and it's really helped fill that void."

The 2020 Jack Adams Award winner has been candid about wanting to return to an NHL bench. He is widely considered the top coaching candidate available should any team make a change during or after this season.

The complication is that Cassidy remains under contract with Vegas through June 30, 2027. Any team that wants to speak with him needs the Golden Knights' permission, something the organization denied both the Edmonton Oilers and Los Angeles Kings last spring. "Nothing's changed," Cassidy told LeBrun. "They have to give permission. That's how they left it."

Meanwhile in Toronto, as it was pointed out by Hockey Patrol, Hiller's early tenure has drawn mixed reviews. His decision to bench top prospect Gavin McKenna reportedly sparked significant backlash from both fans and analysts. If the Leafs' season goes sideways, the pressure to make a coaching change could mount quickly, similar to the Craig Berube situation that preceded Hiller's hiring.

While Cassidy remains patient, he is clearly positioning himself for whatever opportunity arises next. He plans to attend the World Championship in November and will make occasional TNT studio appearances throughout the season.

The Maple Leafs' coaching situation remains Hiller's to hold or lose. But should things unravel in Toronto, Cassidy's name figures to be at the very top of the list when the phone rings.