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Tag: NHL coaching search

  • Narrowed Coaching Search, Alleged Voter Fraud, and a Possible Blockbuster Trade

    Narrowed Coaching Search, Alleged Voter Fraud, and a Possible Blockbuster Trade

    After what has turned into a long and exhausting search for the next head coach of the Boston Bruins, we could be getting some closure as to who the next bench boss will be. General manager Don Sweeney has reportedly narrowed his search down to a couple of names, with one name being told he was no longer under consideration, according to an NHL insider.

    On his latest 32 Thoughts podcast, Elliotte Friedman reported that the Bruins informed interim coach Joe Sacco that he was no longer under consideration for the job. That may be the least surprising news to come out of this drawn-out, long search.

    Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic also reported on Monday that the Bruins are expected to name their next head coach early this week. Marco Strum, Jay Woodcroft, and Mitch Love continue to be the names being circled in rumors.

    While the coaching search is narrowing, fans are still waiting for the final decision, and there’s still talk of possible trades and roster changes as well.

    A Surprise in the Selke Trophy Voting

    Elias Lindholm, despite a brutal first season in Boston, surprisingly received Selke Trophy votes, according to Chris Johnston of The Athletic.

    File this under “What are we even doing here?” Lindholm got one vote, which seems baffling given how he performed during the 2024-25 season. He was criticized for his play and struggled through injuries, but he did show signs of improvement toward the end of the year.

    This unexpected nod from the voting panel has left many scratching their heads, especially considering the team’s struggles and Lindholm’s performance.

    Trade Rumors Continue to Circle Jeremy Swayman

    According to David Pagontta of The Fourth Period, the Edmonton Oilers called the Bruins this season to see if they were looking to move their new $66 million goalie, Jeremy Swayman.

    Sweeney did not entertain the idea, but don’t expect this to be the last time this summer that we hear a rumor that teams are calling to see if the former University of Maine star will be moved.

    The Oilers are doing fine with Stuart Skinner between the pipes as they are in their second straight Stanley Cup Final against the Florida Panthers. They may have missed their chance to get one of Boston’s goalies when Linus Ullmark was shipped to the Ottawa Senators last summer. That should have been their target.

    Could There Be Voter Fraud?

    Amid all the coaching speculation and trade rumors, there are also whispers of alleged voter fraud, though the details remain unclear.

    Whether it’s about the coaching hiring process or something else, the mention of such claims adds another layer of intrigue to an already complicated offseason for the Bruins.

    Fans are eager for clarity, and with the coaching search nearing its end, it’s possible these allegations could come to light soon.

    What’s Next for the Bruins?

    With the coaching search finally narrowing, the focus is shifting to what the Bruins might do next. Will they make a bold move? Could they pull off a blockbuster trade?

    For now, the coaching hire is the biggest story, but with rumors of potential deals and questions around the process, the offseason is shaping up to be one of the most intriguing in recent years.

    As the NHL playoffs approach, the Bruins find themselves in a crucial position, and the decisions made in the coming weeks could define their future.

  • Elliotte Friedman Names Top Candidates to Coach the Bruins Next Season

    Elliotte Friedman Names Top Candidates to Coach the Bruins Next Season

    The Boston Bruins are on the hunt for their next head coach, and if insider Elliotte Friedman is right, they might be leaning toward a first-time NHL bench boss. With the Seattle Kraken and Pittsburgh Penguins also searching for new coaches, the pool of available candidates is shrinking fast—so who’s in the running for the Bruins’ top job?

    A Focus on Up-and-Coming Coaches

    While some big-name coaches have already landed elsewhere, the Bruins seem to be eyeing assistant coaches with impressive resumes but little (or no) NHL head coaching experience. According to Friedman, the leading candidates include:

    • Marco Sturm – A former NHL forward turned assistant coach, Sturm has built a reputation for developing young talent and fine-tuning defensive systems.
    • Jay Leach – Currently a Bruins assistant, Leach has the inside track thanks to his deep ties to the organization and strong relationships with management.
    • Jeff Halpern – Known for his work with forwards and power plays, Halpern’s leadership has reportedly impressed Boston’s decision-makers.
    • Jeff Blashill – The only candidate with previous NHL head coaching experience (Detroit Red Wings), Blashill has spent recent years as an assistant, rebuilding his reputation.

    And don’t sleep on Mitch Love—the Washington Capitals assistant may be new to the NHL, but his success developing players in the AHL (with the Calgary Wranglers) has made him a dark horse in this race.

    Why Jay Leach Might Have the Edge

    Of all the candidates, Jay Leach could be the frontrunner. Having spent last season behind the Bruins’ bench, he already knows the team’s culture, roster, and front office inside out. His existing relationships with GM Don Sweeney and president Cam Neely could give him a leg up—especially if the Bruins value continuity over an outside hire.

    Friedman suggests that while nothing is set in stone, Leach’s familiarity with the organization makes him a logical choice. But with other strong contenders in the mix, the Bruins’ final decision could come down to who best fits their vision for the future.

    Why the Bruins Might Bet on a Rookie Coach?

    The Bruins aren’t just looking for a new head coach—they seem to be searching for the right fit, even if that means handing the reins to someone who’s never held an NHL bench boss job before. Instead of chasing a big-name retread, they’re eyeing fresh voices—coaches who can bring new ideas, adapt to the team’s evolving identity, and grow with the roster.

    This approach makes sense. Whether it’s promoting from within (like Jay Leach) or bringing in an up-and-comer (say, Marco Sturm or Mitch Love), the Bruins appear focused on stability and long-term vision. They’re not looking to blow things up—just to find someone who can work seamlessly with Don Sweeney and Cam Neely to steer the ship forward.

    What’s Next? The Clock is Ticking

    With free agency, the draft, and trade talks heating up, the Bruins don’t have the luxury of dragging out this decision. Their next coach won’t just be calling plays—they’ll be helping shape the roster, setting the tone for the team’s identity, and (ideally) guiding Boston back into true Cup contention.

    It’s a gamble, sure. But sometimes, the best moves aren’t the safest ones. Whether it’s Leach’s familiarity, Love’s player development chops, or another candidate’s untapped potential, the Bruins seem ready to bet on upside. And if they get this right? It could define the franchise’s future.

  • Boston Bruins Strike Out on Top Coaching Target: What Went Wrong?

    Boston Bruins Strike Out on Top Coaching Target: What Went Wrong?

    The Boston Bruins search for a new head coach hit a snag when Rick Tocchet, one of their top targets, signed with the Philadelphia Flyers. Now the Bruins are back to the drawing board and wondering what went wrong.

    Rick Tocchet Chooses Flyers Over Bruins

    Rick Tocchet was the top candidate to lead the Bruins into the next chapter. After leaving the Vancouver Canucks, Tocchet was the hottest coaching commodity this offseason. His resume is 286-265-87 over nine seasons as an NHL head coach with the Tampa Bay Lightning, Arizona Coyotes and Canucks. He won the Jack Adams Award last season after leading Vancouver to a Pacific Division title and is one of the top coaches in the league.

    The Bruins were one of the final three teams in the running for Tocchet, along with the Flyers and Seattle Kraken. But Tocchet chose Philly and the Bruins got zip.

    “Tocchet would have been a good coach for the Bruins,” said one source. “His experience, leadership and Stanley Cup pedigree would have been perfect for a team looking to stay competitive while transitioning into a new era.”

    Oh well, back to the drawing board for the Bruins.

    Why Did Tocchet Choose Philadelphia Over Boston?

    While we don’t know for sure why Tocchet chose Philly, here are a few reasons that likely played a role:

    1. Tocchet’s History with Philadelphia

    Tocchet played most of his career with the Flyers, 621 games over 11 seasons. That’s a deep connection to the franchise.

    2. Flyers’ Aggressive Pursuit

    The Flyers were reportedly very aggressive in their pursuit of Tocchet and made it clear he was their guy. A big contract—over $6 million per year—may have been the deciding factor.

    3. Bruins’ Uncertainty

    While the Bruins are a good team, there’s still a lot of uncertainty with the organization. With key players aging and salary cap issues looming, Tocchet may have wanted a clearer path to success in Philly.

    What’s Next for the Bruins?

    Now that Tocchet is off the board, the Bruins will have to look elsewhere. One name that keeps popping up is former Bruins forward Marco Sturm, who has been linked to the team recently.

    Sturm, an assistant coach with the Los Angeles Kings, has ties to the organization and is a good player developer. According to sources, he has a “real shot” at the job.

    Other possibilities:

    • Jay Woodcroft: Former Edmonton Oilers head coach who took them to the Western Conference Finals in 2022.
    • Misha Donskov: Assistant coach with the Dallas Stars, works well with young players.
    • Mitch Love: Assistant coach with the Washington Capitals, defensive specialist.

    Lessons Learned from Missing Tocchet

    Missing out on Tocchet shows how tough it is to navigate the NHL coaching market. In a competitive world, teams have to act fast and sell their vision to get top candidates.

    For the Bruins, this is a wake up call. While they’re a storied franchise, they couldn’t get Tocchet, so they need to get clear on their organizational direction. Going forward, they’ll have to sell their vision to their next head coach if they don’t want to go through this again.

    A New Chapter for the Bruins

    Missing out on Tocchet hurts, but it’s not the end of the world for the Bruins. Their next hire will be huge, whether they go with a veteran like Sturm or a younger voice like Donskov or Love.

    For now, we’ll just have to wait and see who gets behind the bench. But one thing is for sure: the pressure is on to get this right.

  • Jay Woodcroft Emerges as Top Contender for Bruins Head Coach Role

    Jay Woodcroft Emerges as Top Contender for Bruins Head Coach Role

    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.