The Boston Bruins made headlines on Tuesday with the announcement of Jim Montgomery’s dismissal as head coach. After a lackluster start to the season, highlighted by inconsistent play and low scoring, the Bruins are now looking for new leadership behind the bench.
Montgomery’s tenure ended following a string of defeats, including a 5-1 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets. The team’s performance this season has been far from impressive, with a record of 8-9-3. They rank near the bottom of the NHL in key areas, including scoring (31st), power-play efficiency (last), and penalty killing (25th). The loss to Columbus also saw tensions boil over, with captain Brad Marchand exchanging heated words with Montgomery during the game.
Assistant coach Joe Sacco has been named interim head coach, but speculation has already begun about who will permanently take the reins next season. Bill Speros at Bookies.com analyzed potential candidates and released hypothetical odds for the next Bruins head coach.
Top Candidates to Replace Jim Montgomery
Below are the current odds and implied probabilities for the Bruins’ next head coach:
| Candidate | Current/Former Role | Odds | Implied Probability (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Joe Sacco | Bruins Assistant Coach | +400 | 20.0% |
| Jay Leach | Bruins Assistant Coach | +425 | 19.1% |
| Mike Sullivan | Penguins Head Coach | +575 | 14.8% |
| Gerard Gallant | Former Rangers Head Coach | +700 | 12.5% |
| Jay Pandolfo | Boston University Head Coach | +750 | 11.8% |
| Marc Savard | Maple Leafs Assistant Coach | +750 | 11.8% |
| Rick Bowness | Former Jets Head Coach | +900 | 10.0% |
| Nate Leaman | Providence Head Coach | +1400 | 6.7% |
| Jeff Blashill | Lightning Assistant Coach | +1400 | 6.7% |
| Joel Quenneville | Former Panthers Head Coach | +2000 | 4.8% |
Key Contenders
- Joe Sacco: The Massachusetts native and interim coach is the current favorite, but the Bruins will need significant improvement under his leadership to justify a permanent role.
- Mike Sullivan: The Pittsburgh Penguins head coach, and former Bruins coach, is another strong contender. Sullivan brings extensive experience and a track record of success.
- Marc Savard: A fan favorite and former Bruins player, Savard’s coaching career was cut short by a concussion, but he’s gained valuable experience as an assistant with the Maple Leafs.
The Road Ahead
Team President Cam Neely and GM Don Sweeney will be under scrutiny as they navigate this pivotal decision. With the Bruins struggling, the next head coach will need to restore the passion and drive that have long defined the franchise.
