Speculation: Who should the Bruins hire as their next Head Coach?

[Dr Hook]

I think it will be Donskov, which is great. A new face, new ideas, new approach...

I bet he picks over the carcass of the Bruins coaching staff and keeps a couple guys, but also brings in guys he knows and trusts.

One would think, with the experience he has, that he'll be a great head coach. He's been around the great coaches in the game, he's a great 1on1 communicator, he's excellent at analyzing and breaking down systems and opponents (that's what he does for Dallas). And, Sweeney hired him for 4nations so he's already familiar with him.

I hope you're right. I've had enough of the current guys and the retreads.

 

[Kegs]

You just posted that you'd go with Tortorella who has Philly in line for #5 overall in a couple months

Team was atrocious before he showed up.

 

[GordonHowe]

I'd hire Todd Nelson. Back-2-back Calder Cups, A 3rd Calder Cup with Grand Rapids. Has won 50% of the past 6 Calder Cups. Has his team in 2nd place overall this season.

If you're not going for a retread or handing the job to Jay Leach, Nelson is my choice as well.

No expert, but a friend who calls games speaks highly of him. He's not a college flavor of the month, touchy feelie type, has a great deal of AHL experience, and clearly knows how to win.

My "non traditional" favorite by far.

Will it happen?

No.

 

[GordonHowe]

It's not an inspiring list. I'd say 'maybe' to Sullivan and Gallant, but I think the game might be passing both by, and a hard 'no' to most of the rest.

I would rather they take a punt on a younger guy with good credentials who is keen to prove himself. Coaching around the world is gradually skewing younger and more towards guys who are not too long retired or simply know how to connect with the current gen players. Older ones can still get it done but I do think the landscape is changing. You do need experience though. A guy like Bergy, were he even to be interested, for all his undoubted smarts, needs time as an assistant or similar before stepping up.

We know how things ended up with Monty, we know his errors in the 2023 playoffs, but there is also a lot that went right under his leadership. I don't think his example should turn management away from other less proven candidates. There is risk in it but make an astute choice and the rewards can be great. Look at Spencer Carbery in Washington. Yes his ultimate test is yet to come, but wow has he done a good job so far. The Bruins need to find someone like that.

Todd Nelson.

 

[Ace0813]

David Carle

 

[GordonHowe]

Sullivan sucks too. I take Torts over him quite honestly.

Monty IMO was too nice of a guy. Deep down he wasn't respected. Tried to act like one of the boys. Then he tried to get them to play a different style of defense this season. and it never gained any traction. Then he wasn't here long enough to get his new systems in place before he got canned.

If you're hiring Tortorella, who has left a trail of ultimate failure almost everywhere he's been (save TB & NYR), you're hiring a walking gong show.

Yes, he's Torts, and the show would be a riot. For awhile. Then the results would show, and it is unlikely they would show favorably.

He would not be a serious selection for the task ahead.

Regardless, absent losing his mind, Don Sweeney would never, ever hire him.

I can't imagine a manager more averse to Tortorella's style than "Sweenes."

As for Sullivan, I think he's a good to very good coach. He's won two Cups and he's seen, and likely learned from, some the finest players of the modern era. There's a reason why his tenure in PITT is nearing the decade mark, and not simply because he had the good fortune to ride Sidney Crosby's coat tails. It doesn't work that way. (If it did, Bruce Boudreau would have won in Washington.)

You could certainly do worse.

 

[Ladyfan]

Thus I voted for Patrice. He knows the organization and I think he has more than enough respect to have players listen to him.
Either that or get them behind the bench as an. Assistant.

Patrice wants to spend more time with his 4 kids so I doubt he would want to be any coach. I do believe he would be a good coach as would Big Z but not sure he wants to do the travel it would require.

 

[quietbruinfan]

I voted Other, Carle. I may have also "accidentally" voted for Z. They need somebody fairly young, very tough and a good teacher.

 

[DaBroons]

Torts would be a massive blunder by this front office. His tough guy act doesn't work. Players won't buy in because his methods haven't resulted in any sort of success. In the salary cap era his teams either lose in the 1st round or miss the playoffs altogether. This will be his 4th consecutive season watching playoff games from his local golf course.

It's clear to see that the Flyers have quit on him.

 

[DaBroons]

Gotta go with Bill Peters. His system generates offense and Lindholm had his better moments coached by him.

That would NEVER happen after all the bad press about the Miller signing. That's probably the only thing that would make me an ex-Broons' fan.

 

[Over the volcano]

Team was atrocious before he showed up.

And they're still atrocious

 

[bruins19]

It's clear to see that the Flyers have quit on him.

You say that like it’s a bad thing…

 

[DaBroons]

I just hope they look at all the coaches behind the bench...not just one.

I am not saying they all need to go but changes are needed.

Because our special teams are so horrible, I think they all should go.

 

[DaBroons]

The Chicago organization screwed up but honestly Quenneville's personal culpability is overblown compared to people who do have current jobs like Bowman and Chevy.

He was the lowest ranking person in the room when there was a meeting about allegations involving a black ace who hadn't even played with the NHL team before the start of the finals. The outcome was them deciding to let things go until after the finals, and at that point the HR department decided to let the guy resign instead of doing an investigation.

I don't see what Coach Q reasonably could've done at that point. Stop everything relating to planning for the finals and put your foot down against the GM and Team President and demand a full investigation of some video coach? McDonough, Bowman, Chevy, Wirtz, those guys had opportunities to do something and didn't. HR did the opposite of what is good practice. But all those people are skating along but Quenneville, who really had no reasonable course of action anyway is still paying the price for it? It's pretty unfair IMO.

No disrespect to you, but I find this post disgusting.

It doesn't matter that the player was a black ace. Does that make him less of a person?

And it doesn't matter that the perp was a video coach.

They were ALL responsible. Yes, some more than others, but no one gets off their responsibility.

You either have the character to do the right thing or you don't. Character is EVERYTHING.

 

[DaBroons]

You say that like it’s a bad thing…

lol

 

[The Andrew Peeke Fan]

Barely matters

 

[22Brad Park]

Jay Leach is a hockey coaching prodigy that only the Bruins front office is aware of apparently.

They hire him the Bruins will definitely be in lottery next season is my bet .Heck might be there anyways ..I would not be mad at a chance for McKenna though .Those opportunities don't come around often for that type player.He would change this franchise for the better for a very long time.

 

[Thirty Seven]

With this team they'll need someone to teach them how to play defense

 

[bwunderlich]

Was going to vote for Gerg Carvel because I like Carvel Ice Cream Cake but then I voted for Bruce Boudreau because who has ate more Carvel Ice Cream Cake than him?

Boy do I have a LOT of Tom Carvel and friends' stories.

The old Carvel Country Club was in Pine Plains NY - hosted a few notable tourneys back in 1960's.

Anyway, my uncle was high ranking NYS Trooper and lived on the grounds for years. We fished and hunted on the property a lot and we chased after poachers hunting at night.

Tom would host poker games - Lee Iaccoca, Bill Fugazy, Steinbrenner, Billy Martin, Mickey M, etc. . . . no those cheapskates did not play high stakes

Gruff old coot but to just listen to all those folks - fond memories there

 

[Mr. Make-Believe]

I think it will be Donskov, which is great. A new face, new ideas, new approach...

I bet he picks over the carcass of the Bruins coaching staff and keeps a couple guys, but also brings in guys he knows and trusts.

One would think, with the experience he has, that he'll be a great head coach. He's been around the great coaches in the game, he's a great 1on1 communicator, he's excellent at analyzing and breaking down systems and opponents (that's what he does for Dallas). And, Sweeney hired him for 4nations so he's already familiar with him.

I am 100% in on this idea. This is the guy.

 

[quietbruinfan]

I am a Torts guy because he puts honor and work ethic before everything, but his penchant for benching then moving lazy talent works against a rebuild. Carvel or Carle for me.
If it is Leach, i go on hiatus......

 

[GordonHowe]

Patrice wants to spend more time with his 4 kids so I doubt he would want to be any coach. I do believe he would be a good coach as would Big Z but not sure he wants to do the travel it would require.

Executives, not coaches.

Eventually, maybe.

 

[bme44]

I so feel the coaching staff needs to be completely gutted , keep goalie Bob . Sweeney and Evan Gold should be kept . Neely ??????????????

 

[bruinmann77]

Yes the one guy a must is coach BOb

 

[Alan Ryan]

Here are Mick Colageo’s thoughts on a new head coach, if they move on from Sacco:

I’m getting hit with questions lately as to who will coach the Bruins next season. The short answer, if he becomes available, is Penguins coach Mike Sullivan. If Sullivan stays on the job in Pittsburgh, the Bruins will have a tougher time deciding whether to hire from outside the organization or to promote from within. The gut feeling here is Assistant Coach Jay Leach (whom the Bruins had been grooming before he left Providence to assist on the Seattle bench) is ready. And, if so, a Ryan Mougenel promotion to NHL assistant is anticipated.

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I agree with Mick (and I have no inside information or special expertise). If it’s an outside hire and he’s available they pick Mike Sullivan. If they promote from within the choice will be Jay Leach.