The Boston Bruins have made the tough decision to part ways with head coach Jim Montgomery following a sluggish start to the 2024-25 NHL season. The team announced this change after achieving a disappointing 8-9-3 record, placing them below playoff contention in the Eastern Conference. Associate coach Joe Sacco has been promoted to interim head coach as the Bruins seek to turn their season around.
General Manager Don Sweeney expressed his appreciation for Montgomery, acknowledging his successes and personal qualities. Montgomery leaves behind a record of 120-41-23 during his tenure, which included two playoff appearances, and was honored with the Jack Adams Award as NHL coach of the year last season. However, the team’s inconsistent performance this season, including difficulties in offense and defense, ultimately led to this change in leadership.
Montgomery’s departure follows a season where the Bruins struggled, particularly in their recent loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets, which highlighted ongoing issues with goaltending. The team traded Vezina-winning goalie Linus Ullmark and now relies on Joonas Korpisalo and Jeremy Swayman, whose performance has not met expectations thus far.
Sacco brings with him valuable experience, having previously coached the Colorado Avalanche and worked within the Bruins organization since 2014. Sweeney believes that Sacco can motivate the team to focus on consistent effort, something the Bruins have notably lacked.
This marks the first coaching change of the current NHL season and represents a significant moment for the Bruins as they aim to align more closely with the standards their fans expect. Team president Cam Neely expressed support for the decision, highlighting Sacco’s deep understanding of the roster and the team’s expectations.
By addressing the team’s struggles now, the Bruins can still foster improvement and potentially shift the momentum in their favor as the season progresses. The hope is that under Sacco’s guidance, the team can regroup and regain its competitive edge in the league.
In summary, while this change may appear daunting, it presents an opportunity for the Bruins to recalibrate and reestablish their identity. With the right adjustments and renewed focus, they could very well turn their season around and make a strong push for the playoffs.