Golden Knights GM Kelly McCrimmon Claims Critics Are Jealous Over Their Success

Kelly McCrimmon defended the actions of the Vegas Golden Knights and expressed that people were jealous over the success they have had in short time.

Golden Knights GM Kelly McCrimmon Claims Critics Are Jealous Over Their Success

Kelly McCrimmon (Image via Yahoo Sports)

On Wednesday, the Vegas Golden Knights General Manager, Kelly McCrimmon, responded to the results of a nationwide poll that ranked the team as the most hated NHL franchise. While speaking with the reporters, the 65-year-old claimed that the critics were jealous of their success.

This year, the Las Vegas-based side reached their 3rd Stanley Cup Final in 9 seasons. They were looking to claim their 2nd championship after winning in the 2023 Final against the Florida Panthers.

Since their introduction in the league, they have been a team to beat. In 701 regular-season games, the team has a 401-224-76 record and has reached the playoffs in 8 attempts. As for the playoffs, they have played 128 games, winning 76 and losing 52 times.

In May, a poll was conducted in all 50 states of the United States. According to reports from Fox News, the Golden Knights were ranked top on the list of the most hated team in the NHL in 11 states.

McCrimmon believes that the result of this poll is due to the success they have had in their short history. While the team fell in the Final this year against the Carolina Hurricanes, the NHL executive was proud of the way the team had performed.

For me, it’s jealousy and people are uncomfortable admitting that we’ve done a hell of a job.

Kelly McCrimmon told the reporters about Golden Knights

He further added that players liked coming to them because of their success. He then claimed that he would not “apologize” for this.

First and foremost, people come here because we try to win. … They like being on teams that try to win. … There are players in the NHL that are on teams that I don’t think the players are confident the team will win. That’s how I see it. I’m not going to apologize for it.

Kelly McCrimmon added

Before these comments from McCrimmon, Jack Eichel also came to the defense of the Golden Knights. The forward, who joined the team in November 2021 through a trade from the Buffalo Sabres, expressed that players in the league do not have the Golden Knights on their no-trade list.

I’ll say this. If you ask guys in the league, Vegas ain’t on people’s no-trade list. So this is a place people want to be, and people want to play, and this is an organization that people want to be a part of.

Jack Eichel said regarding Golden Knights

Last year, the team acquired Mitch Marner following a huge 8-year, $96 million sign-and-trade deal with the Toronto Maple Leafs. In his very first season, the Canadian international reached the Stanley Cup Final. In contrast, he had only won 2 playoff series during his 9-year stay with his hometown team.

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Golden Knights name new head coach following the departure of John Tortorella

Following the conclusion of the Stanley Cup Final, there were doubts regarding the future of John Tortorella. On Wednesday, the Vegas Golden Knights named a new head coach after the departure of the veteran.

Golden Knights ex-coach John Tortorella
John Tortorella (Image via ClutchPoints)

Tortorella was hired on a short-term deal following the firing of Bruce Cassidy. The 67-year-old had a 7-0-1 record in the remaining 8 regular-season games and guided the team to the Pacific Division title.

After beating the Utah Mammoth 4-2 in the first round, they eliminated the Anaheim Ducks in 6 games as well. In the Western Conference Final, they stunned the Colorado Avalanche and swept them 4-0 to reach the Final.

In the final, though, the Hurricanes took them by storm. Despite winning Games 1 and 3, they were blown away by the Carolina-based side and had to settle for a runner-up finish.

On Wednesday, the Golden Knights named Ryan Craig as the successor of Tortorella. The 44-year-old is the 5th head coach in franchise history.

The former NHLer served as the assistant coach of the Golden Knights from 2017 to 2023. He spent the past 3 seasons serving as the head coach of the team’s affiliate in the American Hockey League, the Henderson Silver Knights.

In the 2025-26 season, the AHL side finished with a 39-21-12 and 90 points under Craig’s coaching. He will now guide the team in the 2026-27 season and hope the team goes one better than this year and brings back the Stanley Cup to Vegas.

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