Bruins Fire Jim Montgomery, Name Joe Sacco Interim Coach

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Bruins Fire Jim Montgomery, Name Joe Sacco Interim Coach \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ The Boston Bruins have fired head coach Jim Montgomery following a lackluster 8-9-3 start and a three-game losing streak, including a blowout loss to Columbus. General Manager Don Sweeney cited inconsistency and underperformance as key factors in the decision. Joe Sacco will serve as interim head coach as the Bruins aim to rebound from their early struggles.

Bruins Fire Jim Montgomery: Quick Looks

Underwhelming Start: Bruins stumble to an 8-9-3 record after 20 games in 2024-25.
Decision to Fire: GM Don Sweeney cited the team’s inconsistency and poor performance.
Interim Leadership: Assistant coach Joe Sacco steps in, bringing prior NHL coaching experience.
Record-Breaking Start: Montgomery’s 2022-23 debut saw historic 65 wins but disappointing playoff exits.
Goaltending Woes: The team struggles without last year’s Vezina winner, Linus Ullmark.
Roster Underperforming: Stars like David Pastrnak and Brad Marchand show career-worst metrics.
Coaching Carousel: Montgomery replaced Bruce Cassidy, now a Stanley Cup winner with Vegas.

Deep Look

The Boston Bruins made a dramatic change to their coaching staff on Tuesday, firing Jim Montgomery just 20 games into the 2024-25 season. The move comes on the heels of a dismal three-game losing streak, capped by a 5-1 loss to Columbus, a last-place team. Montgomery, 55, leaves with a record of 8-9-3 this season and a career mark of 180-84-33, including an impressive but ultimately frustrating tenure in Boston.

Montgomery’s Boston Tenure

Jim Montgomery joined the Bruins in 2022 and immediately led the team to a record-setting season, posting 65 wins and 135 points, both all-time NHL highs. However, his success in the regular season never translated to the playoffs. In his first season, the Bruins were eliminated in the first round. The following year, they reached the second round but failed to advance further, falling short of the expectations set by their dominant regular-season performance.

This season has seen the team struggle out of the gate, including a Halloween-night blowout loss to Carolina (8-2) and a flat performance against Florida on opening night. The team’s latest defeat to Columbus, during which fans booed the Bruins off the ice after falling behind 3-0 in the first period, sealed Montgomery’s fate.

GM’s Perspective

“Jim Montgomery is a very good NHL coach and an even better person,” General Manager Don Sweeney said in a press release. “But our team’s inconsistency and performance in the first 20 games of the 2024-25 season has been concerning and below how the Bruins want to reward our fans.”

Sweeney emphasized the need for a new approach to restore the team’s focus and consistency, appointing assistant coach Joe Sacco as interim head coach. Sacco brings experience from his five-year tenure leading the Colorado Avalanche, where he earned a Jack Adams Award nomination in his first season.

Struggles on the Ice

The Bruins’ poor start extends across the roster. All-Star forward David Pastrnak failed to register a single shot in the Columbus loss and holds a career-low minus-4 plus-minus rating. Veteran Brad Marchand has also posted a disappointing minus-3 rating, the worst of his career as a full-time NHL player.

The team has struggled defensively, with a goal differential of minus-21, the third-worst in the NHL. Goaltending issues have exacerbated the Bruins’ woes. Jeremy Swayman, who held out during training camp before signing an eight-year, $66 million deal, has posted underwhelming numbers (5-7 record, .884 save percentage, 3.47 goals-against average). Jonas Korpisalo, acquired from Ottawa, has been inconsistent as well, with a 3-2 record and a .901 save percentage.

Montgomery’s History

A hockey veteran, Montgomery’s career includes stints as a player and coach. He led the University of Maine to an NCAA title in 1993 with a hat trick in the championship game before a brief NHL playing career. As a coach, he found success at the junior and collegiate levels, leading the Denver Pioneers to an NCAA championship in 2017.

Montgomery’s NHL coaching career began with the Dallas Stars, where he guided the team to the playoffs in his first season. However, he was dismissed during his second year for “unprofessional conduct,” later admitting to struggles with alcohol abuse. After rehabilitation, he joined the St. Louis Blues as an assistant before landing the head coaching job with the Bruins.

Coaching Carousel in Boston

Montgomery’s dismissal is the latest chapter in a revolving door of coaches for the Bruins. He replaced Bruce Cassidy, who led Boston to the 2019 Stanley Cup Final but was fired in 2022 after a series of playoff disappointments. Cassidy moved on to coach the Vegas Golden Knights, who won the Stanley Cup in his first year with the team, adding pressure to the Bruins’ front office.

Future Outlook

The Bruins hope Joe Sacco can stabilize the team and kickstart their roster, which is brimming with talent but underperforming. Sweeney expressed confidence in Sacco’s ability to “bring the players and the team back to focusing on the consistent effort the NHL requires to have success.”

The question remains whether the coaching change can address deeper systemic issues. The loss of key goaltender Linus Ullmark, traded in the offseason after winning the Vezina Trophy, has left a noticeable gap. Restoring confidence in net and reigniting the team’s offensive firepower will be critical if the Bruins are to salvage their season.