The Boston Bruins have parted ways with head coach Jim Montgomery following a disappointing start to the season. Announced at 4:19 PM, Montgomery’s dismissal comes after the team fell to an underwhelming 8-9-3 record, including a three-game losing streak and a recent 5-1 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets. The Bruins currently have one of the worst goal differentials in the Atlantic Division. Assistant coach Joe Sacco will step in as interim head coach.
Montgomery was brought on after Bruce Cassidy’s departure, following concerns about Cassidy’s coaching style despite his six seasons of strong regular-season records but inconsistent playoff outcomes. Montgomery initially seemed like the right choice, leading the Bruins to a record-breaking 135-point season in his first year. However, that success ended in a first-round playoff exit. The following season, Montgomery led the team to another 100+ point campaign, a feat made more impressive by the absence of key players like Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci. His strategy of constantly mixing lines paid off in the regular season but was ultimately ineffective in the playoffs, as the Bruins were ousted by the Florida Panthers in the second round.
This season, the Bruins have struggled on nearly every front. Offensive production has plummeted, several players are underperforming, and injuries have plagued key contributors, including Hampus Lindholm. The goaltending tandem of Jeremy Swayman and Joonas Korpisalo has suffered as well, with both netminders hovering around a .900 save percentage due to poor team performance. Special teams have also been among the league’s worst.
Montgomery appeared visibly frustrated throughout the season, trying various approaches to spark improvement. He canceled practices, focused on specific areas of weakness, and frequently shuffled lineups, but nothing brought lasting success. Ultimately, the blame fell on him, even though roster decisions were outside his control.
Montgomery exits with a regular-season record of 120-41-23 and a playoff record of 9-11-0 as Bruins head coach. The decision to promote from within, with Sacco now at the helm, raises questions about the team’s long-term direction. While Sacco and the other assistants bear some responsibility for the current struggles, they now face significant pressure to turn things around. Whether this move is part of a larger strategy remains to be seen.
The Bruins face a tough road ahead, and Sacco must navigate these challenges. Meanwhile, the organization expressed well wishes for Montgomery as he looks to the future.
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