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Tag: NHL coaching rumors

  • A Surprise Candidate Rises in the Bruins Coaching Race

    A Surprise Candidate Rises in the Bruins Coaching Race

    The Boston Bruins went into the offseason hoping to land a big name to get their team back to the playoffs. Mike Sullivan and Rick Tocchet were the names being thrown around as saviors for a team still reeling from a season without postseason hockey.

    But things didn’t go as planned. Both Sullivan and Tocchet slipped away from the Bruins, and now the team is having to retool their search. Reports say Don Sweeney may have inadvertently scared off top tier candidates.

    Rick Tocchet, in particular, had concerns about joining the Bruins due to Sweeney’s reputation among coaches. According to a source close to Tocchet, the veteran coach was worried about Sweeney’s track record with head coaches and his overall standing in the league.

    Now that those big names are out of the picture, the Bruins are focusing on a smaller but interesting group of finalists. And one name is emerging as the top choice.

    Jay Woodcroft Emerges as the Frontrunner

    NHL insider Jimmy Murphy just dropped a bombshell on the Bruins’ coaching search. Marco Sturm and Jay Leach were the initial frontrunners, but Murphy says Jay Woodcroft—a former Edmonton Oilers head coach—is now “The Frontrunner.”

    Woodcroft’s appeal is his modern coaching style, calm demeanor, and ability to manage stars while developing young players. He kept the Oilers locker room united and focused during playoff runs.

    For a Bruins team looking for balance between continuity and fresh ideas, Woodcroft is an attractive option. His recent NHL experience and ability to adapt to today’s game could be just what Boston needs to revitalize the roster.

    The Finalists: Continuity vs. Fresh Start

    Woodcroft is gaining traction, but the Bruins are still considering their other finalists.

    • Marco Sturm: A familiar face to Bruins fans, Sturm played for Boston and has coached in the organization. He knows the culture and could provide stability during a transition.
    • Jay Leach: Known for his player development expertise, Leach has worked with Providence, Boston’s AHL affiliate. He’s familiar with the organization’s prospects, so he’s a safe bet for young talent.

    But neither Sturm nor Leach has the same level of recent NHL head coaching experience as Woodcroft. Boston hasn’t had a coach with playoff cred and a composed presence behind the bench since Claude Julien. If the Bruins want to make a splash, Woodcroft might be their guy.

    What’s at Stake for the Bruins

    This couldn’t come at a worse time for the Bruins. Veterans like Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci are aging, and the core of the team is in transition. Meanwhile young players need guidance to reach their potential.

    A mistake in hiring a new coach could set the franchise back further, so Sweeney needs to get this right. With Woodcroft in the mix, the pressure is on the front office to make a choice that aligns with the long term goals.

    Why Woodcroft Could Be the Answer

    If Jay Woodcroft gets the job, it would be a shift towards a more modern approach to coaching in Boston. He’s structured but adaptable and has kept locker rooms engaged and motivated—a quality the Bruins desperately need after last season.

    Plus his experience with stars like Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl could translate to working with Boston’s remaining veterans and up and coming talent.

    For a team looking for stability and growth, Woodcroft’s modern tactics and steady leadership might be the perfect fit.

    Final Thoughts: A Make or Break Moment for the Bruins

    The coaching search has been anything but smooth but Jay Woodcroft adds a new wrinkle. Whether they go with Sturm or Leach or take a chance on Woodcroft, this decision will define the franchise.

    One thing is certain: the Bruins can’t afford another mistake. For Don Sweeney this might be his last chance to get it right—and Woodcroft’s rise suggests he already knows the answer.

  • Bruins Snatch Canucks Top Coaching Candidate in Shock Move

    Bruins Snatch Canucks Top Coaching Candidate in Shock Move

    The Canucks have officially moved on from the coaching search and hired Adam Foote as their new bench boss. While it brings continuity to the organization, it came at the cost of missing out on one of their top candidates— Marco Sturm. In a shocking twist, the Boston Bruins swooped in and reportedly got Sturm as their new head coach and Vancouver fans are left wondering what could have been.

    The Marco Sturm Rise

    For the last 7 years Marco Sturm has been building his coaching resume within the Los Angeles Kings organization. After 4 years as an assistant coach in the NHL, Sturm took the helm of the AHL’s Ontario Reign and spent the last 3 seasons as a head coach.

    Now 46 years old, Sturm gets his first shot at an NHL head coach—and it’s with the Boston Bruins. According to Cam Robinson of EliteProspects , Sturm will replace Jim Montgomery who was fired earlier this season and interim head coach Joe Sacco.

    It’s a surprise given Sturm was a finalist for the Canucks job. But the Canucks went with Foote, banking on continuity and a connection to the locker room to keep captain Quinn Hughes beyond 2027.

    Why the Bruins chose Sturm

    The Bruins are moving away from the veteran coach model with Montgomery and Bruce Cassidy and are going with a younger, fresher voice behind the bench.

    Sturm’s experience developing young talent in the Kings system likely played a big role in the Bruins decision. With the Bruins’ roster in transition, Sturm’s ability to develop prospects and adapt to the changing NHL landscape could be exactly what the team needs to rebuild its foundation.

    Canucks’ Gamble on Adam Foote

    While the Bruins made the headlines by getting Sturm, the Canucks are going with Adam Foote to steady the ship. Foote, a former NHL defenceman and long time assistant coach, is the safer choice for Vancouver. His lack of NHL head coaching experience is offset by his knowledge of the organization and his ability to connect with players.

    But passing on Sturm raises the question of whether the Canucks missed out on a more dynamic leader. Sturm’s mix of NHL playing experience and AHL developmental success could have brought a fresh perspective to a team in need of a turnaround.

    What This Means for Both Teams?

    This coaching carousel will be felt for years to come. For the Bruins, Sturm is a chance to redefine themselves after a bad season. His hiring means the front office is willing to take a chance on unproven but promising talent—a strategy that could pay off if done right.

    And the Canucks are counting on Foote to navigate them through the choppy waters. Whether it was the right move or not remains to be seen but one thing is for sure, Vancouver let a rising star get away.

    Final Thoughts: A Tale of Two Teams

    In the end the Canucks and Bruins took two different approaches to solving their coaching problems. Vancouver went for continuity and stability, and Boston went for the guy everyone thought was going to Vancouver.

    Only time will tell who made the right decision, but for now, Bruins fans can celebrate getting a coach with upside, and Canucks fans can hope Foote can right the ship.

  • Bruins Emerge as Top Contenders for Rick Tocchet

    Bruins Emerge as Top Contenders for Rick Tocchet

    The Boston Bruins are making noise in the NHL coaching market and are one of the top teams to land veteran head coach Rick Tocchet. They’re looking for a proven leader and are positioning themselves to make a big splash this offseason.

    Why Rick Tocchet is a Hot Ticket

    Rick Tocchet, 61, is the most wanted coaching candidate this offseason after being let go by the Vancouver Canucks at the end of the 2024-25 season. Despite a disappointing finish in Vancouver—where the Canucks missed the playoffs by six points—Tocchet’s resume is impressive.

    Last season he won the Jack Adams Award as the NHL’s Coach of the Year and led the Canucks to a Pacific Division title and a 50-23-9 record. In three years in Vancouver, he was 108-65-27 (.608) overall. He can build a competitive team.

    Bruins Among Top Contenders

    According to TSN’s Darren Dreger, the Bruins are among the “top contenders” for Tocchet’s services, along with the Philadelphia Flyers and Seattle Kraken. The Flyers are going hard after him but the Bruins have some unique advantages that could sway Tocchet.

    For starters, Tocchet has deep ties to Boston. He played for the Bruins from 1995 to 1997, skating alongside franchise legends like Cam Neely and Don Sweeney. Today, Neely is the president and Sweeney is the GM—a connection that could be big in bringing Tocchet back to Boston.

    “Boston is a club I’ve been saying keep an eye on the Bruins,” said The Athletic’s Rick Dhaliwal on a recent episode of Donnie & Dhali . “I will be surprised if the Bruins don’t contact Tocchet. He’s a Boston guy.”

    Dhaliwal added, “Boston is a place where it just reeks of Rick Tocchet. Cam Neely’s running the show there. I would be shocked if Boston isn’t a team that looks at Rick Tocchet.”

    What Tocchet Brings to the Bruins?

    If hired, Tocchet would bring a ton of experience and a no nonsense approach to coaching that fits the Bruins perfectly. He’s a fiery guy and a player’s coach and could be the perfect fit for a team that wants to stay relevant.

    But it won’t come cheap. According to Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli, Tocchet will command one of the biggest contracts ever for an NHL head coach.

    “I think he’s going to have multiple mega offers that are game changers for the coaching pay scale,” Seravalli said. “I’m going to project that Rick Tocchet is on at least a 5 year deal and north of $6 million per year.”

    For the Bruins, investing in Tocchet would be a commitment to staying competitive in a rapidly changing Eastern Conference.

    The Competition for Tocchet

    The Bruins are in the mix, but they’re not the only team in the hunt. The Flyers are going hard, and the Kraken are looking to take the next step as a franchise. The Flyers have a history with Tocchet—he played 621 games in Philly. That could be an advantage, but the Bruins have the front office connections and organizational stability that could tip the scale in their favor.

    What’s Next for the Bruins?

    If the Bruins choose Tocchet over younger, less experienced guys like Misha Donskov or Mitch Love, it will be a change of strategy. Instead of going with a new face, the Bruins are looking to bring in a battle tested leader to guide the team through the next chapter.

    For now, all eyes are on Boston as they make this decision. Will they roll the dice on Tocchet or go elsewhere? One thing is for sure: the Bruins’ decision will be huge for the franchise.