NHL Notebook: Vegas blocks Oilers from talking to Cassidy; pending UFA Coyle re-signs in Columbus

Vegas fired Cassidy late into the season, bringing in John Tortorella behind their bench in hopes that a classic “Torts Bump” would result in a solid playoff run. After taking care of business against the Utah Mammoth in round one, Vegas is currently tied 2-2 in their second round playoff series with the Anaheim Ducks. Cassidy served as Vegas’ bench boss since 2022-23 before being fired on March 29th.

Typically, NHL teams don’t block coaches they’ve fired from pursuing other opportunities, so if the Golden Knights don’t change their mind, this could get very, very interesting.

Cassidy makes a lot of sense for the Oilers, who are fresh off a disappointing round one playoff exit at the hands of the Ducks, but there’s one key issue here: the Oilers haven’t fired current head coach Kris Knoblauch yet. Wait, what?

Canucks perspective: Drama in the Pacific Division? Sign me up.

Blue Jackets lock up Charlie Coyle

The Columbus Blue Jackets just made free agency a bit less interesting.

What’s already shaping up to be a weak pool of UFAs was made weaker on Tuesday morning, as the Blue Jackets re-signed forward Charlie Coyle to a six-year contract worth $36 million ($6 million AAV).

The Blue Jackets acquired Coyle and forward Miles Wood via a trade with the Colorado Avalanche last summer. In the deal, Columbus sent back Gavin Brindley, a third round pick in the 2025 Draft and a conditional second round 2 pick in the 2027 Draft.

In his first season in Columbus, Coyle put up 20 goals and 38 assists through a full 82 games. Coyle turned 34 in March, meaning the six-year deal in Columbus — that will expire when he’s 40 — will likely be the last of his NHL career.

With Coyle signed, it might be slim pickings for teams looking to improve on July 1st. A look at the upcoming pending UFAs via Puck Pedia: