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
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
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.
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
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.”
