Bruce Cassidy Could Shape Leafs Trade Rumors for Oilers
leafs trade rumors picked up because Bruce Cassidy may become available to Edmonton now that the Vegas Golden Knights are done with their playoff run. That puts the Oilers in a coaching lane they did not have last week, when they said from ownership to management to players that Mike Babcock is their guy.
Bruce Cassidy would not be a casual add-on. If Edmonton gets a chance to interview him, the club could be weighing a second coach in the same offseason after already backing Babcock publicly.
Cassidy After Vegas
The timing is the point. Vegas finished its playoff run, and that opens the door for Cassidy to be made available to interview with Edmonton. For the Oilers, that changes the shape of the search without changing the fact that Babcock remains in the conversation.
Last week’s message left little room for interpretation. From ownership to management to players, the Oilers said Babcock is their guy, which is why Cassidy’s possible availability creates a clear fork in the road. Edmonton is not just monitoring one name; it may be forced to decide whether to stay with the coach it has publicly backed or add another veteran option to the mix.
Babcock And 2023
The 2023 Columbus situation still hangs over the process. Whatever happened there was enough to make Babcock resign before the NHL launched an investigation, and the article says the Oilers would have done their due diligence by calling the NHLPA, John Davidson, and former Columbus GM Jarmo Kekalainen.
That background is why Cassidy’s availability matters beyond a simple interview window. Edmonton has already been through the work tied to Babcock, and the possibility of a second coach entering the picture raises the stakes on what was already a delicate call.
Edmonton’s Next Move
Babcock will be cleared to coach if the Oilers are still fine with him. Cassidy becoming available after Vegas’ run gives Edmonton a new option, but it also forces the club to show whether last week’s public support was the final word or just the start of a longer search.
