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3d ago

Golden Knights Face Offseason Questions After Cup Loss as Players Push Back on 'Most-Hated' Label

Public hostility tied to the club’s rapid success and aggressive personnel moves collides with players’ and the GM’s insistence that Vegas remains a top destination and now must replace its head coach.

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Jun 14, 2026; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Vegas Golden Knights center Jack Eichel (9) looks on during the third period against the Carolina Hurricanes in game six of the 2026 Stanley Cup Final at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images
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Overview

  • The Vegas Golden Knights lost the 2026 Stanley Cup Final and have entered an intensive offseason that begins with the team announcing that head coach John Tortorella will not return next season.
  • Star center Jack Eichel rejected a recent Rotowire poll that named Vegas the most-hated NHL club, saying players around the league still want to play in Las Vegas and rarely place the team on no-trade lists.
  • General manager Kelly McCrimmon defended the franchise, attributing much of the public anger to jealousy over sustained success and citing the organization’s player resources and winning culture as reasons players sign there.
  • Critics point to specific practices that fuel dislike, including frequent roster turnover, restricting fired coach Bruce Cassidy from interviewing elsewhere, tight media control, and the signing of goaltender Carter Hart after his legal case.
  • The club’s record of rapid, repeated success — playoff berths in most seasons, three Final appearances since 2017 and a 2023 Cup — frames both the hostility from some fans and the practical leverage Vegas holds in recruiting players.