BOSTON – The Boston Bruins have made waves in the hockey community by firing head coach Jim Montgomery just 20 games deep out of the 2024-2025 NHL season. General Manager Don Sweeney, expressing his reluctance to dismiss Montgomery, stated, "Change is hard," but felt compelled to act amid the team’s troubling performance.
Montgomery's dismissal follows a disappointing 8-9-3 start to the season, highlighting the Bruins' struggles early on. During Sweeney's press conference, he admitted he saw worrying signs as far back as the training camp, saying, "I just felt our camp was just flatline across the board. To me, the first troubling sign was we were flat all the way through training camp." He suggested the team might have taken their previous success for granted, which includes impressive finishes under Montgomery, with back-to-back seasons over 100 points.
Replacing Montgomery, Joe Sacco will step onto the ice as the interim head coach. Sacco, himself well-acquainted with the franchise—having worked with the staff for over ten years—has emphasized the pressing need to bolster the team's work ethic. He noted, "We have good players. They’re capable of more. It’s our job as coaching staff to get it out of them. And I think it starts with our work ethic." This indicates he’s aware of the challenge he faces to turn the tide with the team.
Despite the shake-up, reactions among fans are divided. Some fans expressed skepticism about blaming Montgomery. "It's not the coach; it’s the players, and unfortunately, the GM is going to take it out on the coach," said fan Tim Rennie. Others feel the team has sufficient talent to perform much more effectively—a sentiment echoed by fan Sean Cullinan, who believes the right coach can bring out the best from the players.
From Montgomery's perspective, the timing of the firing seems bittersweet, especially considering he finishes his tenure with the impressive record of 120 wins over 184 games and having previously led the team to historic heights, including the most wins and points for any NHL team during the 2021-2022 season. The cloud hanging over Montgomery’s departure, though, is the club's playoff performances—first-round exits last season and the 2022 playoffs.
David Pastrnak, one of the team's star forwards, expressed regret for Montgomery’s dismissal, acknowledging the players’ role in the team’s poor performance. "You feel a big part of the guilt because at the end of the day, as players, we are the ones performing out there, and we weren't getting it done. And because we weren't getting the job done, we lost a great coach and amazing human being. So it’s tough." Similarly, captain Brad Marchand admitted, "If we would’ve done our job, he’d still be around. You feel terrible as a group, individually, for letting down a really good coach and really good person."
Sacco's approach will differ from Montgomery's; Sweeney pointed out, "Monty was personable. Joe's very direct, very simplistic... He cares. He's been around here. He’s got established relationships with players." The challenge for Sacco will be to maintain trust with his roster, fostering the same rapport Montgomery built during his tenure, even as Sweeney indicated Sacco might need to take on a more authoritative leadership stance.
Looking at the broader picture, it’s important to note the problems go beyond just Montgomery. Sweeney's comments underline issues within the team’s roster dating back to earlier this year, particularly during training camp where the Bruins had notable absences, including holdouts and injured players. The team started with goaltender Jeremy Swayman absent due to contract negotiations and Brad Marchand circling back from surgeries. Sweeney has pinpointed star forward Pastrnak as someone who may not have approached camp with the right mindset, which could be indicative of the team’s overall ethos.
While some fans hope the move will revitalize the Bruins and spur them to victory, the onus rests heavily on the players as well. Many recognize the intricacies of team dynamics and coaching impact. The next match against Utah looms large, with all eyes on whether Sacco can incite the Bruins to reclaim their status as competitive forces within the league.
Analyzing the potential for this leadership change, it appears as though the Bruins will need time to adjust. Sacco's fresh perspective will be tested, particularly as the players adjust to his style and expectations. He stated, "Right now, what we're examining is whether this group believes they're good. We have good players here, and it's time to show it on the ice."
With the fateful decision now seemingly final, Bruins Nation holds its breath as the Boston franchise embarks on this new chapter with Joe Sacco at the helm, hoping against hope for the resurgence of their proud hockey team.
