The Boston Bruins have made a significant change in their coaching staff by parting ways with head coach Jim Montgomery following a frustrating start to the 2024-25 season. The team has struggled with an 8-9-3 record, which places them outside of playoff contention in the Eastern Conference. In Montgomery’s place, associate coach Joe Sacco has been named interim head coach.
General manager Don Sweeney described this move as a challenging decision but emphasized Montgomery’s positive contributions to the organization. He acknowledged Montgomery as an excellent NHL coach and individual, expressing gratitude for the opportunity to work together. Despite a record of 120-41-23 in his three seasons and a Jack Adams Award for Coach of the Year in 2022-23, Montgomery’s tenure saw the Bruins fall short in the playoffs on two occasions, especially disappointing given their historic regular-season performance last year.
Sweeney highlighted the team’s inconsistency as a primary concern, stating that Sacco possesses the experience needed to steer the team back to its expected level of performance. Sacco has been part of the Bruins’ coaching staff since 2014 and has previous head coaching experience with the Colorado Avalanche.
The Bruins currently rank last in the league for offensive performance and have been underwhelming defensively as well. The goaltending situation has been particularly problematic, with notable changes affecting team chemistry. Montgomery’s firing marks the first head coaching change of the current season and reflects the growing urgency for the Bruins to rectify their early-season struggles.
While the Bruins have faced substantial hurdles, there remains hope for a turnaround under Sacco’s leadership. His familiarity with the players and organizational expectations could foster a quick adaptation, potentially revitalizing a team known for its fierce competitiveness in the NHL. The Bruins’ loyal fan base will be hoping that this change can lead to an improvement in performance as the season progresses.