NHL Rumors: With too many injured and aging stars, who wants to coach the Bruins?
Anthony Scultore
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The Boston Bruins fired head coach Bruce Cassidy in a stunning move on Monday.
General Manager Don Sweeney addressed the media after the dismissal calling it a very “difficult decision” and added that he felt the team needed to hear a new voice next season.
“I think there’s a message delivery that I think a new voice will resonate with them,” he explained via NHL.com. “We needed a new direction.”
Sweeney also noted that feedback from the players factored into his decision.
Bruins have many aging and injured stars
A look at the Boston Bruins roster shows a lot of aging and injured stars (in some cases both).
Currently, several players will be out for a significant amount of time after surgery. Defensemen Charlie McAvoy (24 y/o), and Matt Grzelcyk (28 y/o) both underwent shoulder procedures in June. They are expected to miss the start of the 2022-23 season.
According to the Bruins, McAvoy had a left shoulder “arthroscopic stabilization procedure” and will be out six months. Meanwhile, Grzelcyk had a procedure on his right shoulder that will keep him out for five months.
An even bigger blow was announced at the end of May.
Brad Marchand (34 y/o) underwent surgery on both of his hips and will miss be out six months. That’s a December return at the earliest.
If you’re a Bruins fan crying uncle right now it would make sense.
Patrice Bergeron’s uncertain future
Bruins captain and five-time Selke Award winner Patrice Bergeron is at home recovering from left elbow surgery. This was a procedure he postponed in order to finish the season and compete in the playoffs. He’s expected to recover within 10-12 weeks and be ready for training camp.
Of course, the real issue is what will he do? He’s openly stated if he doesn’t retire the only place he will sign is Boston.
“What (the surgery) did only is it just delayed my decision-making process,” Bergeron said. “I had some MRIs and meetings with them and talks with them about what I should do and whatnot. That’s the only thing I can say about that.”
Bergeron will be 37 years-old come July and wants to take his time deciding his future.
“I’ve said I needed time, and I still think I have a lot of time in front of me to make that decision,” he said. “I’m going to make sure that I take all the time that I need to make the right one.”
Who wants to be the next Bruins coach?
The Boston Bruins are a storied Original Six franchise, but they are not the only team out there looking for a coach.
You have the Vegas Golden Knights, Philadelphia Flyers, Detroit Red Wings, Dallas Stars, and Winnipeg Jets. All are desirable positions.
The B’s are also a team in a state of flux that could be one playoff missing season away from a rebuild.
Do we think Barry Trotz is going to jump at that?
Here’s another rub, David Pastrnak will be a UFA next season and may look to hit the open market. According to The Athletic, a source told them he didn’t like the way GM Don Sweeney treated his two close friends, Torey Krug and David Krejci.
Honestly, a veteran coach with a resume full of NHL accomplishments may not be so eager to jump on this bus. The Golden Knights fired Peter DeBoer and he knows what an aging and injured team can do to your job security.
When it comes to the next coach of the Boston Bruins, you’re likely looking at a guy like Rick Tocchet. He last coached the Coyotes and this would be a great step up. Another option is Massachusetts native David Quinn, who did a good job with a very young and rebuilding Rangers team.
Correction: David Quinn was born in Cranston, RI
Bottom line, it may be very hard for President Cam Neely and GM Don Sweeney to being in a big name coach at this time.
Maybe they should’ve let Cassidy finish out his contract?