The Boston Bruins have fired head coach Jim Montgomery. As warned here last week, time was simply running out on the third-year coach as the Bruins continue to struggle in the 2024-2025 season. Today that very possibility became reality as GM Don Sweeney announced Montgomery had in fact been relieved of his duties. Joe Sacco, associate coach and member of the organizations coaching staff since 2014, assumes the head coaching job on an interim basis.
The Bruins haven’t been able to get much of anything going this season and the proof is where they currently reside in the Atlantic division at 8-9-3. Somehow, they still find themselves in fourth place and sitting in a wild card spot. Those numbers however, are deceiving. Boston is currently tied for the second worst goal differential in the NHL at –21. The teams they are either tied with, or slightly ahead of in said department, are rebuilding clubs that have the rosters to show it. Their special teams continue to be dreadful with a Powerplay success rate of 11.7% – good for 32nd place. The Penalty Kill isn’t much better at 75.6% and again finds them in the basement at 25th overall. A far cry from the Bruins teams of recent, and not so recent, memory. Perhaps if the Bruins merely had two or three players struggling this campaign things may have continued on as is in hopes of ironing out the kinks. However, with this group it has become apparent that there’s a team wide issue. One sizeable enough to cost the coach his job. From Jeremy Swayman’s pedestrian start, to David Pastrnak looking all-too ordinary, the Bruins stars have yet to put together anything remotely consistent. For this humble hockey writer though, the signs were there last playoff season when Montgomery seemed outmatched by Paul Maurice of the Florida Panthers. In game, and in series, adjustments were a concern and even some roster changes that felt forced or unnecessary were signs that coach and management may not be on the same page. This past summer came and went without an extension for Montgomery. Couple that with a poor start and here we are.
Coming off Monday’s 5-1 loss at home to the Columbus Blue Jackets, the sense was that something had to give in Boston. Is it fair that Montgomery and his 120 – 41 – 23 record in just over two seasons is out of a job on November 19th? Maybe not. Is the NHL a more results orientated league than ever? Absolutely it is. Unfortunately, the results for this Bruins team have been a disappointment from the get go and Sweeney made the easiest move a GM has at their disposal. A coaching change. If only players could be fired instead of coaches perhaps the average shelf-life for NHL bench bosses wouldn’t come in at 2.5-3 years. For Sweeney, Team President Cam Neely and now Joe Sacco, Boston needs to hope that this move is the one that gets the group back on track in time to salvage the season. If not, there could be even more off and on ice changes in store this offseason in Beantown. Expectations will always remain high in the success-spoiled sports city of Boston.
It’s doubtful Montgomery will be out of work long as he comes as advertised. A players-coach that relies on positivity and communication with his players. It worked in Boston, until it didn’t. A new chapter begins for the Boston Bruins on Thursday when the Utah Hockey Club come to town. Montgomery won’t be behind the bench but his time in Boston will be remembered for the success he had vs the season that ultimately ended his tenure.
As the Bruins social media team posted tonight; “Thank You, Jim”.
G-Rant @TheRealG_Rant / Grant Cumming. Bruins fan. Bigger dreams, bigger screens, bigger feelings are planned.
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