The NHL coaching carousel is in full spin, and several teams have already filled their vacancies. The Rangers got Mike Sullivan, the Ducks hired Joel Quenneville, the Canucks promoted Adam Foote and the Flyers got Rick Tocchet. But one team still in the process is the Boston Bruins, and they seem to have a front runner for the job.
According to Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli, former Edmonton Oilers head coach Jay Woodcroft is the “leading candidate” for the Bruins’ head coaching position. On the “Morning Cuppa Hockey” podcast, Seravalli said Woodcroft’s interactions with the Bruins have been good so far.
“I think it’s gone well for him there,” Seravalli said. “So I’d say keep an eye on that too.”
Jay Woodcroft’s NHL Resume
At 48 years old, Jay Woodcroft has a lot of experience as a head coach and assistant in the NHL. His most recent stint was with the Edmonton Oilers, where he was head coach for three seasons from 2022 to 2024.
Woodcroft was the interim head coach in 2022 and got the Oilers to the Western Conference Finals before losing to the eventual Stanley Cup champion Colorado Avalanche. The next season (2022-23), he had the Oilers at 50-23-9 (109 points), and they went to the second round against the Vegas Golden Knights, another eventual Cup winner.
But the 2023-24 season got off to a rough start for Edmonton, and they were 3-9-1. That’s when Woodcroft was let go in November, but his body of work during his tenure is solid.
Before his time in Edmonton’s top job, Woodcroft was head coach of the Oilers’ AHL affiliate, the Bakersfield Condors, for four seasons (105-71-21) and seven years as an assistant coach with the San Jose Sharks (2008-15) and three more with the Oilers (2015-18).
What Woodcroft Has Been Doing Since His Departure?
Since leaving the Oilers, Woodcroft hasn’t been idle. In an interview with Daily Faceoff’s Steven Ellis, he told me how he’s used this time to improve.
“I’ve had a 20 year career with three different organizations and I’ve never had this time before,” Woodcroft said. “So, I’ve really tried to invest in being the best I can be. Study ways to get better. Look at communication. Look at how to improve team culture.”
Woodcroft said his focus has been on getting player buy-in and engagement, skills he thinks will serve him well for his next opportunity. While this wasn’t what he had planned, he views it as an opportunity to get better and come back stronger than ever.
Where the Bruins Stand in Their Search?
The coaching search is still in its infancy. GM Don Sweeney said they’ve started Zooms and will move to in-person meetings soon. But Sweeney also said some candidates are still in the postseason, so decisions won’t be made right away.
That opens the door for assistants like Misha Donskov of the Dallas Stars or Mitch Love of the Washington Capitals to get in the mix. But Woodcroft’s name is still gaining traction as the top guy.
He’s got NHL head coaching experience, playoff success, and a track record of developing players. He’s the kind of coach the Bruins need after a disappointing season.
Why Woodcroft is the Perfect Fit for Boston?
If hired, Woodcroft would bring stability and innovation to the bench. He’s known for his great communication skills and adaptability, and gets the most out of his players. And his experience with high-powered offenses (like the Oilers’ Connor McDavid line) could translate well to Boston’s roster with David Pastrňák and Brad Marchand.
No decision has been made yet, but Woodcroft being a leading candidate means the Bruins are serious about finding a coach who can get them back to contender status.
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