NHL News: Amid head coaching search, Bruins reach final decision on Joe Sacco

Following a disappointing 2024-25 NHL season, the Boston Bruins are determined to change the tide next campaign, under the guidance of the 31st head coach in franchise history, who remains to be named. They are closer to a decision, though, and it was made clear as the Bruins reached a crucial decision about interim coach Joe Sacco.

The Bruins no longer resemble the perennial playoff threat capable of giving any team in the NHL a run for their money. They now appear fragile and exposed in an environment that feels unfamiliar. Boston looks incongruous with its own status quo and surroundings, seemingly trending toward a rebuild—painfully shutting the uncharted championship window until further notice.

Whoever takes over behind the bench at TD Garden will face a tall order. One of the NHL’s giants has taken a beating and is hanging on the ropes. It’s up to Boston’s next head coach to get the Bruins back on their feet—but the outlook is bleak.

The Bruins parted ways with several of their top assets this past NHL season, including longtime captain Brad Marchand, who is now thriving in Florida, as well as veterans like Trent Frederic, Charlie Coyle, and Brandon Carlo. A new era of Bruins hockey is brewing—but it’s one that will take time to establish and refine, with hard lessons along the way.

Head coach Joe Sacco reacts to a call as the Avalanche face the Nashville Predators on March 30, 2013 in Denver, Colorado.

That’s the landscape the team’s next head coach will inherit—and with an announcement reportedly looming, the Bruins have made their decision on Sacco. “Boston informed Joe Sacco he will not remain head coach,” insider Elliotte Friedman stated.

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Tick-tock, tick-tock

“Expect the Bruins to announce their coaching hire early this week. My understanding is that they’re down to 2 candidates. They did in-person, final interviews with candidates last week,” insider Pierre LeBrun reported on his X account.

Based on the reports, the decision will be made between Jay Woodcroft and Marco Sturm, whom the Bruins have shown great interest throughout the entire process of searching for Sacco’s replacement.