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NHL Rumors: Insider floats possibility of Boston Bruins potentially parting with Jim Montgomery
NHL insider Elliotte Friedman reported that the Boston Bruins could be looking to make a coaching change.
During the Nov. 11 edition of "32 Thoughts: The Podcast," Friedman hinted at the possibility of a coaching change for the Boston Bruins.
"I don't know what Boston's going to do here, but I think even if Boston made a change, I think a guy like Jim Montgomery would be a candidate in some other places,” Friedman said.
The comments underscored the appeal Bruins coach Jim Montgomery would have for other teams looking to make coaching changes. The Bruins are 7-7-2, third in the Atlantic Division, one point ahead of the Tampa Bay Lightning.
However, recent poor performances have led to questions over Montgomery’s tenure in Boston. The Bruins lost 8–2 to the Carolina Hurricanes on Halloween. Then, following back-to-back shutouts, the Bruins were once again pounded, this time 4–0, by the Toronto Maple Leafs.
The string of poor performances included a shutout loss to the Philadelphia Flyers. The latest debacle was a 3–2 overtime loss to the Ottawa Senators in which the Bruins failed to get a single shot on goal during the third period.
Regarding the shotless third period against the Senators, Montgomery told reporters after the game:
“I don’t have an answer.”
It’s unclear whether Boston is serious about a coaching change.
Rumors of head coaching change for Boston Bruins beginning to pick up
Friedman expanded on his comments regarding the situation with Montgomery.
“Don Sweeney wasn't letting me know his secrets. So, you know, we'll see what's up but you can definitely feel it, picking up," Friedman said.
While Boston’s record isn’t the worst, it is well below what many experts predicted for this season. The Florida Panthers and Toronto Maple Leafs are running away with the top two spots in the Atlantic.
That situation leaves Boston to duke it out with the Lightning, Senators, Buffalo Sabres and Detroit Red Wings for the final playoff spot in the division. If the Bruins can’t hold on to the third spot, they’ll have to compete for one of the two wildcard spots.
At that point, there would be no guarantee Boston would make the postseason. Missing the playoffs could end Montgomery’s tenure in Boston.
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