SO SAD:The buston bruins head coach have just announced his retirement,due to the following…..
In a surprising turn of events, the Boston Bruins announced on November 19, 2024, that they had parted ways with head coach Jim Montgomery. This decision came after a 5-1 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets, marking the team’s third consecutive defeat and bringing their season record to 8-9-3. At the time, the Bruins held the second wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference.
Jim Montgomery, 55, joined the Bruins prior to the 2022-23 season. In his inaugural year, he led the team to a historic 65-12-5 record, earning the Presidents’ Trophy and securing the Jack Adams Award as the NHL’s Coach of the Year. Despite this regular-season success, the Bruins faced early playoff exits, being eliminated by the Florida Panthers in both 2023 and 2024.
The 2024-25 season presented challenges for the Bruins. The team struggled offensively, averaging just 2.40 goals per game, ranking second-lowest in the league. Defensively, they posted a goal differential of minus-21, tying them with the San Jose Sharks for 30th overall. Goaltender Jeremy Swayman, who missed training camp due to contract negotiations, recorded a career-low .884 save percentage.
General Manager Don Sweeney expressed the difficulty of the decision, stating, “Jim Montgomery is a very good NHL coach and an even better person. He has made a positive impact throughout the Bruins organization.” Sweeney cited the team’s inconsistency and underperformance as primary reasons for the coaching change.
Joe Sacco, a Medford, Massachusetts native and former NHL player, was named interim head coach. Sacco has been part of the Bruins’ coaching staff for 11 seasons and previously served as head coach for the Colorado Avalanche from 2009 to 2013.
Montgomery’s departure marks the first NHL coaching change of the 2024-25 season. His overall record with the Bruins stands at 120-41-23. Despite the mid-season dismissal, Montgomery’s coaching career continued shortly after; on November 24, 2024, he was hired as the head coach of the St. Louis Blues, signing a five-year contract.
The Bruins’ decision to change leadership mid-season underscores the high expectations within the organization and the NHL at large. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how the team responds under Sacco’s guidance and whether this move can reignite the Bruins’ pursuit of success in the highly competitive Eastern Conference.
