Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman says the fracture between Vegas Golden Knights players and former head coach Bruce Cassidy started during last year’s playoff series against the Edmonton Oilers.

In a stunning move on Sunday afternoon, the Golden Knights fired Cassidy and replaced him with a former Cup winner in John Tortorella for the remainder of the season.

Vegas’ regular season has not gone to plan. Sitting in third in the Pacific Division with a 32-26-16 record, Friedman believes this is a desperation move for the Oilers’ rival, who may have had a hand in Cassidy’s demise.

“Last year in the Edmonton series where the Oilers beat them, I heard right before that series ended, before game five, there was a really tense meeting between Cassidy and some of those players,” said Friedman.

“And I think at the end of last year, it kind of frayed their relationship. I know some players said some things to management.........

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