What happened: Vegas Golden Knights general manager Kelly McCrimmon announced that John Tortorella will not return to the team's coaching staff following the 2025-26 season. Tortorella took over in Vegas in late March and led the club to the Stanley Cup Final, where it fell to Carolina.

Why it matters: The move ends a short but eventful tenure that saw the same Tortorella who vowed Vegas would force a Game 7 guide the team within two wins of a title. A coaching change so soon after reaching the championship round signals the front office wants a different direction, and Vegas now heads into the offseason needing a bench boss despite a deep playoff run.

What to watch: Watch for McCrimmon's coaching search and whether Vegas promotes internally or pursues an outside hire ahead of the 2026-27 season.