The Golden Knights were 98-50-12 in three seasons under DeBoer, who replaced Gerard Gallant on Jan. 15, 2020.
"We had the advantage of time on our side and that we would use that," Vegas general manager Kelly McCrimmon said. "We were thorough, we did not interview a long list of candidates, we were pretty specific about what we were looking for, what we felt the right coach for our team needed to be. Partway through that process, the decision was made in Boston where Bruce was available, and able to be contacted. We got permission from Boston, which is part of how that process works. Really, it's eight days or whatever it's been since this happened for Bruce, so a lot's gone on in a short period of time."
The Golden Knights' four-season playoff streak was derailed by injuries and inconsistency this season, with forwards Mark Stone and Max Pacioretty, defenseman Alec Martinez and goalie Robin Lehner among the players to miss extended stretches. Special teams were also an issue with Vegas 25th on the power play (18.4 percent) and 21st on the penalty kill (77.4 percent).
The Bruins were tied with the Buffalo Sabres for 15th on the power play (21.2 percent). They finished ninth in penalty killing (81.3 percent).
"I really can't stress enough the importance of special teams and I know that's been a challenge here at different times in the past," McCrimmon said. "Bruce has done it again and again and again. That's what, to me, is impressive. There are different teams and different coaches that, with the right personnel or in the right year, you have a real good power play or a real good penalty kill or maybe one's better than the other significantly. In Bruce's case, the penalty kill and the power play consistently have been very, very good for a long period of time, so that's really important to us. It's part of the decision making process we had in terms of what we think Bruce's strengths are and what can translate to our team. Certainly, it was talked about a lot."
Cassidy was 245-108-46 with Boston and 36-37 in the playoffs, including a seven-game loss to the St. Louis Blues in the Stanley Cup Final in 2019. He's 292-155-53 with nine ties in 509 games in eight NHL seasons for the Bruins and Washington Capitals.
"When I got the news [in Boston], people reflect obviously but I wanted to go right back to work," Cassidy said. "I think I'm a young guy, I love coaching. That was a conversation I had with (wife) Julie very quickly. Hey, it's got to be the right fit for me, right fit for the team. that's an obvious. But I was going to try to pursue opportunities right away. As I told some people, I just got tired of being out of work, so here we are (laughs)."
Cassidy is the second coach hired since the conclusion of the regular season; Lane Lambert replaced Barry Trotz for the New York Islanders on May 16. The Bruins, Dallas Stars, Detroit Red Wings, Philadelphia Flyers, Chicago Blackhawks and Winnipeg Jets each are conducting a search for a coach.
NHL.com staff writer Tracey Myers contributed to this report
