Recent report suggests a coaching change may be happening in Boston

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Joshua Deeds
May 30, 2024 (0:01)

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The Seattle Kraken recently fired Dave Hakstol prior to the season's end, while hiring Dan Bylsma to take over as bench boss. With the new boss in control in Seattle, the status quo is sure to be shaken.

With Dan Byslma taking control, the former P-Bruins head coach may stick around after a conversation with the coach. But with news of Jessica Campbell's ascendancy, it seems someone's time could be at an impasse in Seattle.

So should the Bruins entertain bringing back Jay Leach?

I wonder if the #NHLBruins would entertain the idea of a Jay Leach return to the B's organization if things don't work out in Seattle with today's head coaching hire of Dan Bylsma.
No offense to Sacco, but Leach would be my choice and a natural defensive addition over the former forward.

Leach, was the P-Bruins head coach from 2017-2021, starting in the AHL as an assistant in 2016. He arrived in Seattle as part of the assistant coaching staff to Dave Hakstol in 2021.

In 2023, Jay Leach was permitted to interview for other positions including the New York Rangers head coaching vacancy, which Elliotte Friedman confirmed.

Seattle Kraken assistant coach Jay Leach has been given permission by the team to be interviewed for the New York Rangers' coaching vacancy.

That's according to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman, who broke that news during a segment on NHL Network.

So, will the Bruins take a chance on a former P-Bruins head coach?

Seems like it would be a no-brainer.

Leach's contribution to the Kraken's defense was a positive metric:

When looking at the team's underlying numbers, it's even more impressive. In Seattle's inaugural season, they were ranked 11th in xGA. That ranking has only improved, climbing to 7th and 4th in 2022-23 and 2023-24, respectively. While Seattle has stagnated offensively, their defensive numbers have remained strong, allowing the group to maintain playoff hopes.

His last season as head coach of the AHL's Providence Bruins, was successful despite no consistent post-season performance.

In 2019-2020 the P-Bruins had a 62-38-18 record, with a winning percentage of .661 with Leach as bench boss.

And his winning percentage in the AHL never dropped below .572, as an assistant or head coach.

Could he help pad out the B's coaching staff?

Source: HockeyDB
Jay Leach

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Seattle Kraken Assistant Jay Leach Drawing Coaching Interest