Speculation: Potential Coaching Replacements for Jim Montgomery

AngryMilkcrates

End of an Era
Jun 4, 2016
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I mean, the previous line combos ain't working at all, so if these new ones are bad too maybe the problem isn't the coach.

A good point, but look at these lines:

1730381351756.png


Does that not look like desperation by a coach to you?

1730381214739.png


Because I am getting the distinct smell of desperation from a coach.

IS Monty the problem? Don't know, I would agree with you its the players. But you cant change the players wholesale and we are at the bottom of the Atlantic on Halloween. SOMETHING has to change in the next week or two if they dont turn things around.
 
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LouJersey

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Sort of irrelevant at this point. The coach isn't getting anywhere near the most out of the talent already on the roster
Your huge UFA signing doesn't seem to mesh with your top player.

You banked on four guys coming off career seasons to do it again,

You traded your former Vezina winning goalie a year ago for nothing that helps anything other than your 4th line.

You spent 5 million on a defenseman (was already the strength of your team) instead of replacing your latest top 6 wing to leave

You're banking on Marchand to continue to defy father time.

Your AHL team is totally devoid of supplying any type of offensive help apparently as your 2021 1st rd offensive winger hasn't been summoned yet.

Doesn't seem like it's solely a coaching issue to me.

A good point, but look at these lines:

View attachment 924306

Does that not look like desperation by a coach to you?

View attachment 924304

Because I am getting the distinct smell of desperation from a coach.

IS Monty the problem? Don't know, I would agree with you its the players. But you cant change the players wholesale and we are at the bottom of the Atlantic on Halloween. SOMETHING has to change in the next week or two if they dont turn things around.
the second they fire him the eyes turn to Sweeney. Imagine firing a coach now and then the new guy is worse and they don't make the play-offs? Would look terrible on the front office. I ride him and give it 20-25 games.
 

BigBadBruins7708

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Dec 11, 2017
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Sullivan please. Im sure Pittsburgh will be happy to let him go

Mike Sullivan seems to be universally despised among Pens fans. Its weird that he is seen as upgrade for other teams.

Its misguided anger. Really the fans dont want to admit that Crosby and Malkin are over the hill and cant carry the team anymore so they go to "the coach must be wasting them"
 
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DangleCity

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Jun 23, 2016
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Your huge UFA signing doesn't seem to mesh with your top player.

You banked on four guys coming off career seasons to do it again,

You traded your former Vezina winning goalie a year ago for nothing that helps anything other than your 4th line.

You spent 5 million on a defenseman (was already the strength of your team) instead of replacing your latest top 6 wing to leave

You're banking on Marchand to continue to defy father time.

Your AHL team is totally devoid of supplying any type of offensive help apparently as your 2021 1st rd offensive winger hasn't been summoned yet.

Doesn't seem like it's solely a coaching issue to me.


the second they fire him the eyes turn to Sweeney. Imagine firing a coach now and then the new guy is worse and they don't make the play-offs? Would look terrible on the front office. I ride him and give it 20-25 games.
Sort of disingenuous to suggest there was much push back on signing Lindholm and Zadrovo. I don't remember anyone saying they shouldn't sign those guys. I wouldn't also judge them on a dozen games into long term contracts.

I don't think anyone is suggesting it's purely a coaching issue. The roster has problems, but like I said, this group is far better than they are showing. They aren't playing anywhere near where they should be and it look like a clear lack of effort at times. The coach is the easiest and quickest fix, in a league where teams go through coaches like hotcakes.
 

EverettMike

FIRE DON SWEENEY INTO THE SUN
Mar 7, 2009
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A good point, but look at these lines:

View attachment 924306

Does that not look like desperation by a coach to you?

View attachment 924304

Because I am getting the distinct smell of desperation from a coach.

IS Monty the problem? Don't know, I would agree with you its the players. But you cant change the players wholesale and we are at the bottom of the Atlantic on Halloween. SOMETHING has to change in the next week or two if they dont turn things around.

I posted a lot yesterday about how he's been coaching like a desperate man all season so I agree. I also know that I haven't seen a single lineup I like. Every single combo of lines makes me go, "Oof, really?"
 

Oates2Neely

Registered User
Jan 19, 2010
19,841
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Massachusetts
I’ll preface this by saying it’s still not Thanksgiving and that is usually my benchmark. Marchand is aging. Younger guys who were be counted on to be the backbone of the middle 6 aren’t performing (Frederic Geekie Poitras Brazeau etc). The top guys aren’t yet playing like top guys.

This team lacks a 2nd line scorer. This drum has been beaten to death but taking Korpisalo back in that trade is hurting the teams ability to add. Again, some mediocre players on bloated contracts. This falls on Sweeney imo.

With that said it’s still early. At least for another month.
 

Dr Hook

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Man... this is tough. I feel like if someone comes in here 50 days or so into the season, he'd need to be someone who has been through it as an NHL coach.

I don't feel like this is the time or team to trot out a guy who has never been an NHL HC.

Not even sure who is out there aside from those already mentioned in this thread, but my opinion is that whoever it is needs to have some established credibility at the NHL level.

I hear you on that and get it and you are right that it's different mid-season as opposed to the summer. Leach would be the non- retread guy they could go with I guess. I know he's taking some crap for the defense right now, but to me it's worth keeping in mind that the assistants only work in the context the HC gives them.

Whoever they pick, they need to clean the bench out and let the new guy select his staff. If they want to keep a guy like Chris Kelly because he's still pretty young in the job, find a role for him that doesn't interfere with the new HC's setup, at least at first.
 
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bbfan419

Registered User
Jul 3, 2006
9,192
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Moncton NB
Dale Hunter.

The end.
Would be a good Sweeney replacement

Gallant would be my first choice, he is the type that can get more from the players he has, that Vegas team never stopped skating, other teams were tired trying to keep up with them. Sullivan, nah been here before, time to move on. Quinn may be local, but not at all the type we need for this team.
 

TP70BruinsCup

Let’s Go Bruins👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Nov 16, 2019
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Quenville, but I doubt they would do it.

With that it will be somebody they can control over have better say over, IMO. Internal so most likely Leach or Sacco as others have said.

With that also, nothing should happen before December 1st. Give Monty more time as he deserves it
 

SPLBRUIN

Registered User
Mar 21, 2010
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A loss tonight followed by another loss to putrid Philly could be enough for Sweeney to pull the trigger. The Bruins overall play is even worse then their record if we are being honest. As for Monty's replacement, Hunter is an intriguing choice, but unfortunately the Bruins would likely stay in-house with Sacco or Leach.
 

Dr Hook

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I'm giving Monty more time - if the 4th line can do it why can't any of the other lines?

That's actually a really good question. I don't have any idea why those three guys in particular have been willing to come out night after night and play fast and hard and make a difference. Clearly to this point whatever it is doesn't seem to be catching.
 
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BMC

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If they lose badly to Carolina tonight IMO Monty's got to go. I know, only 11 games in and 2 outstanding regular seasons previous but this team's lack of effort has been so glaring its becoming obvious the players have tuned him out. I can't think of another reason why they play like they don't care.

I'm sure if Monty is fired then Jay Leach gets promoted, that's why they brought him here.
 
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BigGoalBrad

Registered User
Jun 3, 2012
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Is Lavoilette coaching in the NHL? I have always wanted him since we let him get away after coaching Providence.

Marc Savard I think would be an excellent fit. Whats Ference up to always expected him to coach an NHL team at some point?

I know he just retired in May so its probably too soon and it would be a very short term interim option but Bowness has to be worth a call if you aren't trying to make too risky a pick.
 

BigBadBruins7708

Registered User
Dec 11, 2017
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I'm giving Monty more time - if the 4th line can do it why can't any of the other lines?

because he leaves them alone and let them actually gel as a line. no set of lines is going to work if you're panic shuffling them every other shift. he needs to set a line up and leave it the f*** alone and let them figure out how to play together
 

PlayMakers

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Aug 9, 2004
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because he leaves them alone and let them actually gel as a line. no set of lines is going to work if you're panic shuffling them every other shift. he needs to set a line up and leave it the f*** alone and let them figure out how to play together
I don't agree. I don't know where the notion came from that chemistry takes time and that you should let struggling lines stay together until they magically turn things around, but lots of people seem to feel that way and IMO, it's false.

That's just not how the NHL works. What team can allow a line to get caved in for 20 games with the hope that in game 21 they'll suddenly be dominant?

Chemistry is instant. The 4th line was good from Day 1. When you put guys on a line who click, it's immediate. You can see it on their first shift. I can think of a hundred examples of lines or pairs that worked immediately but I can't think of any examples of lines that were terrible for a long stretch and without anything changing, suddenly figured it out.
 
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Dr Hook

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because he leaves them alone and let them actually gel as a line. no set of lines is going to work if you're panic shuffling them every other shift. he needs to set a line up and leave it the f*** alone and let them figure out how to play together

But that doesn't account for the work-rate of the line, or the relative lack of stupid decisions, and other miscues, though.
 
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