The Boston Bruins have made the difficult decision to part ways with head coach Jim Montgomery following a challenging start to the 2024-25 NHL season, marked by a lackluster record of 8-9-3. The announcement was made by the team on Tuesday, setting the stage for associate coach Joe Sacco to take the helm as interim head coach.
General manager Don Sweeney expressed his gratitude toward Montgomery, acknowledging him as a talented coach and an admirable individual. Montgomery leaves behind a significant legacy with a 120-41-23 record and two playoff appearances during his time with the Bruins, including winning the prestigious Jack Adams Award last season. However, the Bruins have been struggling this year, ranking 31st in offense and 28th in defense, a performance that has fallen short of expectations.
Sweeney emphasized the need for change with a focus on delivering consistent efforts to fans who support the team. He voiced confidence in Sacco’s ability to guide the players back to winning form. Sacco, who has been part of the Boston coaching staff since 2014 and previously coached the Colorado Avalanche, brings a wealth of experience to the role.
This season has seen the Bruins experience notable disappointments, particularly in their goaltending situation after trading former Vezina winner Linus Ullmark. The team’s current goaltender, Jeremy Swayman, has struggled following a contract dispute that kept him from training camp, which Montgomery noted undoubtedly impacted play.
Despite the Bruins’ recent setbacks, including heated bench discussions between Montgomery and team captain Brad Marchand, leadership expressed optimism for Sacco’s interim tenure. Team president Cam Neely underscored Sacco’s familiarity with the team and his understanding of the organization’s expectations.
As the Bruins move forward with Sacco in charge, there remains hope that his experience and knowledge will provide the necessary adjustments to reignite the team’s competitive spirit and potentially turn their season around.
In summary, while the Bruins face significant challenges early in the season, the shift in coaching could provide a fresh perspective and renewed focus as they aim to regain their footing in the league. With the right leadership, fans can look forward to seeing improvements as the season progresses.