After Montgomery is let go (which may be soon; possibly, ironically, if the Bruins lay another egg in St. Louis Tuesday night, the team from whom Boston poached Sunny Jim), hopefully a new head coach who understands three zone play, tactics and strategy will police the Boston bench.
I take no pleasure watching Montgomery slowly twisting in the wind.
To mix metaphors, I am nonetheless desperate for Sweeney and Neely to pull the proverbial plug.
Montgomery will be scapegoated, a fate he deserves to a significant degree.
The Stockholm Twins (see: Stockholm Syndrome, i.e. those two sitting at the feet of Harry Sinden, whom they *still* consult) are unlikely to be moving on any time soon.
Rightly or wrongly, unfortunately or no, the Brain Trust on Causeway Street will likely turn to Jay Leach as the reliever, if not the ace.
I have noted repeatedly in this space that if I could wave a magic wand, I would tap Joel Quennville on the shoulder with it.
If they are unable or unwilling to do so, likely the case for a front office and ownership exceptionally allergic to bad publicity, I would interview Daryl Sutter, Gerard Gallant, and Mike Sullivan (he can move in with Charlie and his daughter).
(I like, respect and admire Claude Julien, but the game may have passed him by.
(In any case, Sweeney and Neely are not about to rehire the Stanley Cup winning coach they previously kicked to the curb in unceremonious fashion.
(And the guy, not to put too fine a point on it, primarily responsible for instituting and inculcating Boston's once vaunted, airtight defensive structure.
(You know, the one Sunny Jim evidently abandoned in favor of loosey goosey chaos.)
I am not saying Jay Leach would be a bad choice. Or a good choice. I have no idea.
Whatever management does, they better do it swiftly, before the season (and playoff gate) slips irrevocably through their fingers.
Cam and "Sweenes" are lucky their divisional rivals have started slowly as well.
Hence they may dawdle before swinging the inevitable axe.
On paper and, I believe, in fact, for once in Sweeney's tenure the Boston Bruins are actually built for the postseason. More, despite their recent play, Boston can reasonably claim legitimate contention for a deep playoff run, if not a trip to the finals.
The sooner they jettison Montgomery and hire a legitimate NHL head coach (or select whippersnapper Leach), the better.
Mercy, gentleman.
We shall see,