BOSTON — The Bruins obviously hope that changing coaches two months into the 2024-25 season is a fortune-changing move for the franchise as it tries to remain elite with its current nucleus of players.
But the team’s results over the remainder of the season could have lasting impacts on the careers of several Bruins, on the ice, on the bench and in the front office.
As the Joe Sacco era begins, here are six men, whose careers could be drastically impacted by its success or failure:
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He wanted another chance to be a head coach and now he’s got it. After one playoff birth and three seasons under .500 in his four years leading the Avalanche, it took Sacco a long time time to get another head coaching job. Countless coaches were better the second time around including Claude Julien and Cassidy.
Sacco’s performance will remake his image for good or bad.
If he and the Bruins pick up their play, he could get the job permanently. But if they flounder and struggle, he’ll have another black spot on his resumé.
Don Sweeney
With Montgomery gone, Sweeney, the Bruins general manager is next in the line of fire. If a coaching change doesn’t reverse Boston’s slide, the roster construction is going to come under increased scrutiny. Not only is the varsity struggling, but there aren’t many viable prospects waiting in the AHL that could help spark the team either.
Add to that Sweeney has now fired three coaches, including Cassidy, who immediately went to Vegas and won a Stanley Cup.
The Bruins have been consistently very good during his tenure, but that will only protect him for so long especially if they miss the playoffs.
Sweeney said before the season and reiterated Wednesday that the Bruins had been negotiating with Jim Montgomery on a contract extension. But after a slow start to the year, Montgomery got a pink slip instead of that extension.
This is relevant to the Bruins captain because Sweeney said the team hoped to sign Marchand to an extension as well. But he’s started slowly coming off of offseason surgery. If Boston and Marchand continue to struggle, could they let Marchand walk away? The Bruins were unsentimental with former captain Zdeno Chara, who was eager to return too.
Trent Frederic
Frederic picked a bad year to have a bad year. With unrestricted free agency looming, he has struggled with just three goals and three assists. He’s currently a -11. The disappointing numbers could cost him money in his next deal. Maybe more jarring, if the Bruins are still middling as the trade deadline approaches, Frederic is a candidate to be traded in a sell-off.
Morgan Geekie
He’s in a similar place to Frederic, although he’ll only be a restricted-free agent after next year. Still, his disappointing year after last season’s breakout is costing him money. He’d be a seller’s trade possibility at the deadline too.
Jim Montgomery
The Bruins firing Montgomery early might be better for him than if they let him go in January. His resume in Boston looks like two terrific regular seasons and one slow start. There are a lot of teams who aren’t worried about his playoff record. Getting to the playoffs would feel like an achievement.
Now he’s a top candidate for any opening in an organization that wants to look for a replacement externally.
If the Bruins struggle for the rest of this season and don’t make the playoffs, his stock will get another boost because it will look like the problems weren’t really his fault.
