Golden Knights will not retain Tortorella as head coach

The Vegas Golden Knights announced Tuesday that John Tortorella will not return as head coach next season. Tortorella, who turns 68 next week, was hired with eight games remaining in the regular season after the team fired Bruce Cassidy. He compiled a 21-8-1 record with the Golden Knights, including the playoffs, and guided the team to the Stanley Cup Final before losing Game 6 to the Carolina Hurricanes on Sunday.

Tortorella's contract ran only through June 30. "We thank Torts for the guidance he provided our team since joining the organization in March," general manager Kelly McCrimmon said in a statement. "

Sources told ESPN that the organization has long viewed its AHL head coach in Henderson as the future coach of the franchise and that he maintains a longstanding relationship with McCrimmon. Cassidy remains under contract with the Golden Knights. The team has not granted him permission to interview with the Los Angeles Kings or Edmonton Oilers.

The NHL has ruled that Vegas is within its rights to withhold permission while Cassidy is still employed by the franchise. Tortorella would like to coach next season, sources told ESPN. He gained respect among veteran Golden Knights players, often likening himself to a guidance counselor who needed to instill confidence in the group.