Options for the Boston Bruins next head coach

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Dorin Canaday
June 7, 2022 (1:18 PM)

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The search will begin immediately for a new head coach for the Boston Bruins.

General manager Don Sweeney noted he has a list of potential candidates but will take his time conducting such an important search. It's unclear if he already has anyone particular in mind or if he is looking for prior NHL experience.

"I'm going to be open-minded ... We've got an experienced group of guys that want to win, know how to win, and a young group of guys as the next core ... Now, the coach needs to direct that ship and be able to communicate effectively across all those age groups. And that's certainly why I want to make sure I cast the net wide enough."

There are plenty of high-end options on the free-agent market right now. (It depends what direction the Boston Bruins decide to go in, though).

1. Barry Trotz

Trotz is by far the best coach available NHL. His boring, but successful defensive style helped him collect an overall NHL record of 914-670-168 (with 60 ties to his name too). He also has a Stanley Cup to his name, which he won with the Washington Capitals in 2018.

2. John Tortorella

Boston native Tortorella would be an interesting option for his hometown team. He was the head coach of the Columbus Blue Jackets, who helped the team to four playoff appearances in six seasons. Not only that, he won the Stanley Cup in 2004 as head coach of the Tampa Bay Lightning.

3. Peter DeBoer

In his career, DeBoer has two Stanley Cup Final losses in 2012 and 2016, along with three Conference Final losses in 2019, 2020 and 2021. He has never been able to get that elusive Stanley Cup ring, but he has definitely shown he's an excellent NHL coach.

4. Paul Maurice

Maurice was the long-time coach of the Winnipeg Jets for nine seasons before resigning in the middle of the season. He stated that the team «needed a new voice,» and he knew it, which is the type of honesty that is something NHL franchises would admire in a head coaching candidate.

5. John Montgomery

Montgomery has a small sample size, with a record of just 60-43-10 and one playoff appearance. He is likely to make the jump back to a head coaching gig after checking himself into rehab to deal with alcohol abuse back in 2020.

6. Rick Tocchet

Tocchet is currently a studio analyst for NHL on TNT, but that hasn't stopped his name from coming up in rumours for head coaching jobs this offseason. Unfortunately, he is the only coaching candidate with more career losses than wins, holding a 178-200-60 record in six years.

The name that has been linked to the Boston Bruins the most has been Jay Leach, who is currently an assistant coach with the Seattle Kraken. Leach first joined the Providence Bruins as an assistant coach on August 4th, 2016, and was promoted head coach prior to the 2017�18 season.