Bruins to part ways with veteran coach before contract ends, President break’s silence.
The Boston Bruins’ postseason hopes all but vanished after suffering their eighth consecutive loss on Saturday. Team president Cam Neely acknowledged that changes could be imminent. With interim head coach Joe Sacco at the helm, the Bruins are on track to miss the playoffs for the first time since 2016. They already made significant moves at the trade deadline, including sending franchise icon Brad Marchand to their division rival, the Florida Panthers.
In an interview with the Boston Globe ahead of Wednesday’s game, Neely confirmed that Sacco’s future remains undecided as the team prepares for the offseason. “Sacco will be considered,” Neely said, noting that discussions with general manager Don Sweeney will determine the coaching staff for next season. He also commended the coaching staff’s efforts despite the challenging circumstances. “I told the staff recently that Don and I truly appreciate the work they’re doing,” Neely said. “It hasn’t been an easy situation for them.”
The Bruins parted ways with head coach Jim Montgomery in November and later traded captain Marchand, leading to a sharp decline in performance. Since then, Boston has fallen out of playoff contention, including recent losses to Anaheim (6–2) and Detroit (2–1). “This time of year, we’re usually preparing for meaningful games and the playoffs. It hasn’t been easy for Joe, but he’s handled it well,” Neely added.
Despite the struggles, Neely emphasized that the team does not intend to undergo a full rebuild but acknowledged that roster changes are likely. “I don’t think we need to tear everything down,” he said. “We moved key players at the deadline, and hopefully, we can fill those gaps and return to where we want to be.”
The Bruins, currently holding a 30-35-9 record with 69 points and sitting eighth in the wild-card race, trail the final playoff spot by eight points. They face a tough challenge on Tuesday when they host the Eastern Conference-leading Washington Capitals (47-17-9, 103 points). According to PuckPedia, Boston is projected to have $28.8 million in cap space when free agency begins on July 1.
