As the Boston Bruins evaluate their offseason strategies, a pressing question lingers in the air: should the
team retain coach Jim Montgomery or seek a new direction after yet another early exit from the Stanley
Cup playoffs? Montgomery has seen the Bruins achieve notable success in the regular season during his
two years at the helm. In the 2022-23 season, the team set franchise records with 135 points and 65
wins, yet they faced an unexpected first-round elimination at the hands of the Florida Panthers,
overshadowing what could have been a historic campaign. This past season, the Bruins again finished
strong with a 47-20-15 record, amassing 109 points and defeating the Toronto Maple Leafs in the first
round, only to fall to the Panthers once more, ending their playoff run in six games.
So, is it time for the Bruins to part ways with Montgomery? Historically, the team’s management has not
hesitated to make significant changes in response to disappointing playoff performances. Following a
painful loss to the St. Louis Blues in the 2019 Stanley Cup Final, the Bruins replaced Bruce Cassidy with
Montgomery. Cassidy, who quickly found success with the Vegas Golden Knights by winning the Stanley
Cup last June, leaves a stark contrast to Montgomery’s postseason results, which have not met
expectations.
While comparing seasons can be challenging due to the myriad of variables involved, the Bruins’ playoff
performance, especially at home, is hard to overlook. The team has struggled, boasting a 22-27 record in
home playoff games, which includes a disheartening 2-8 in their last ten matches since the 2013 Cup
Final against the Chicago Blackhawks. The competitive edge that once characterized the Bruins during
their 2011 championship run seems to have faded. Under the guidance of former coach Claude Julien,
and with a strong veteran roster, the Bruins managed to clinch the Cup, demonstrating a level of
preparedness that appears lacking in recent campaigns.
General manager Don Sweeney has done commendable work in building a competitive roster and
managing salary cap complexities. Following the retirement of Patrice Bergeron, Brad Marchand
stepped up as captain, proving to be a stabilizing force within the team. However, the Bruins exhibited a
significant lack of offensive production in their recent playoff series, signaling that changes may be
necessary to bolster their scoring capabilities. Although Montgomery might bear some responsibility for
this shortfall, it seems unlikely that he will be dismissed outright, although his position may become
tenuous if results do not improve.
Sweeney’s offseason priorities should focus on enhancing the team’s offensive prowess. Star forward
David Pastrnak had an impressive regular season with 47 goals and 63 assists but fell short in the
playoffs, only contributing eight points in 13 games. Other key players like Marchand, Charlie Coyle, and
Pavel Zacha also saw their playoff contributions diminish. With approximately $20 million in cap space
available, Sweeney has the opportunity to bring in fresh talent to invigorate the lineup. Decisions about
unrestricted free agents like Jake DeBrusk, who has been inconsistent despite a strong playoff showing,
will be critical as well.
As the Bruins wrap up their exit meetings, it’s clear that significant changes are on the horizon. The
ownership and management will need to carefully consider their next steps as they aim to revitalize the
team and reclaim their place as championship contenders. The question remains: will a coaching change
be part of that strategy, or will the Bruins opt to continue with Montgomery at the helm as they navigate
a critical offseason?
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