NHL Rumors: Insider floats possibility of Boston Bruins potentially parting with Jim Montgomery – Source: Imagn

NHL insider Elliotte Friedman claims 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. However, Friedman did not confirm the rumor.

“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 by one point over the Tampa Bay Lightning.

However, recent poor performances have questioned Montgomery’s tenure in Boston. For instance, 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 has 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 B’s 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.

The comments suggest Boston GM Don Sweeney is cautious about how much information he wants to reveal. However, there is a growing sentiment that the Bruins need a coaching change to end their inconsistent play.

While Boston’s current record isn’t awful, 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 Boston 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 would most assuredly end Montgomery’s tenure in Boston.