The Boston Bruins are riding—some might say hobbling—into the NHL offseason with dozens of questions floating around their heads. However, in order to find answers, they must first announce their new head coach to replace interim Joe Sacco and guide David Pastrnak and the rest of the team through a 2025-26 season filled with more uncertainty than they’ve faced in a long time at TD Garden.
Pastrnak and the Bruins were marked by heartfelt departures during the past NHL campaign, marked by the firing of Jim Montgomery and the trades out of Boston of captain Brad Marchand, and leaders like Brandon Carlo, Charlie Coyle, and Trent Frederic.
Their roster is looking unrecognizable from that of less than a year ago, and with so many changes, the Spoked B’s identity has endured several twitches, and it’s yet to be defined. The team’s culture will be decided—largely—by the new head coach’s appointment, yet that’s a still an open question in Boston.
It won’t stay that way for far too long, nevertheless. According to reports around the NHL, the Bruins have narrowed their search down to three contenders to stand behind the bench at TD Garden during the 2025-26 campaign. But there’s a catch, too.
Boston Bruins interim head coach Joe Sacco smiles at his news conference following their 1-0 win over the Utah Hockey Club at TD Garden on November 21, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts.
“Jay Woodcroft, Mitch Love, and Marco Sturm are among the favorites as potential hires as head coaches for the Boston Bruins, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Seattle Kraken,” insider Kevin Weekes stated on his X account, formerly Twitter.
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In that order
While Weekes’ statement left the door open for the three candidates to land with any of the NHL organizations, it seems most probable that each connects the dots in a straight line to a specific franchise. This would mean Woodcroft is reportedly signing with the Bruins, while Love and Sturm would take over in Pittsburgh and Seattle, respectively.
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On that note, Bruins reporter Scott McLaughlin provided some more clarity. “I do think at least Woodcroft and Sturm remain serious candidates for the Bruins as they approach the end of the process. Don’t have a great feel for where things stand with Love [to be honest]. Lot of smoke around Love landing with Pens,” he said.
