Should the Oilers Keep Waiting for Bruce Cassidy?

The Edmonton Oilers may have a dilemma that every NHL team would love to have. They've identified the coach they want. The catch is that he currently works for the Vegas Golden Knights.

As reports continue to suggest that Bruce Cassidy remains near the top of Edmonton's wish list, the Oilers find themselves facing a difficult question: How long do you wait?

The Golden Knights are in no hurry to get Cassidy off their payroll.

The situation has become even more intriguing because Vegas appears to be in no hurry to help anyone else solve their coaching problem. If the Golden Knights are unwilling to grant permission for Cassidy to interview elsewhere while they sort out their own plans, they effectively get the best of both worlds.

They keep a respected coach under their control, prevent a division rival from hiring him, and the only real cost is continuing to pay his salary. That's not exactly a burden for a franchise that’s currently playing deep into the Stanley Cup Playoffs and filling its building every night.

The Oilers risk waiting too long to hire a coach.

From Edmonton's perspective, however, waiting comes with risks. The biggest advantage of patience is obvious. If Cassidy becomes available, the Oilers would have a chance to hire one of the league's most accomplished coaches. His track record speaks for itself. He has won everywhere he has gone and has a Stanley Cup championship on his resume.

If management truly believes he is the best candidate, it makes sense to wait a little longer. But there is another side to the equation. Every day spent waiting is a day other coaching candidates come off the board. The longer the Oilers wait, the greater the risk that they end up with neither Cassidy nor one of their preferred alternatives.

There are pragmatic reasons for solidifying your coaching staff.

There is also the practical matter of preparation. The coaching staff needs to be assembled. Offseason plans need to be finalized. Free agency is approaching. At some point, uncertainty becomes a disadvantage.

What may be happening behind the scenes is simple leverage. Vegas has no incentive to rush. The Golden Knights know Cassidy is respected around the league. They also know rival teams are interested. Whether they ultimately keep him, move on from him, or simply delay the process, they control the timeline. The Oilers do not.

That's why my recommendation is straightforward.

The Oilers need to decide on a firm deadline.

If Cassidy becomes available before that date, pursue him aggressively. If not, move on and hire the best available candidate. Waiting indefinitely rarely works in hockey. Good organizations make decisions and live with them. Cassidy may be the ideal choice, but the perfect candidate is only perfect if you can actually hire him.

At some point, the Oilers need to stop waiting for someone else's decision and make one of their own.