Bruins Already Seeing Contrast Between Montgomery and Cassidy

Photo by Patrick Gorski/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Demanding National Hockey League coaches have been successful in the past. But their shelf lives can be short. These tough coaches can “lose the room” eventually, and change is needed after a while. Former Boston Bruins’ Head Coach Bruce Cassidy led the Bruins to the playoffs in all six seasons at the helm, including a first-round loss in seven games in 2021-22. During that 107-point season, there were murmurings of malcontent among the players. Jake DeBrusk asked for a trade and struggled with Cassidy’s coaching style. Young prospects like Zach Senyshyn, Jack Studnicka, and Anton Blidh did not get much leash when trying to crack the lineup. Young, talented goaltender Jeremy Swayman would draw criticism from Cassidy. Rumors persisted that Cassidy was harsh on defenseman Matt Grzelcyk and had to be spoken to by captain Patrice Bergeron. Issues mounted to the point where Boston had to move on from the candid head coach.

Now enter the new headman Jim Montgomery. The former UMaine star is well-liked and respected around the league and is said to have a “softer” voice in the locker room. The former Dallas Stars’ head coach is known to have a knack for younger players and coaches with a positive, upbeat demeanor. Monty is more of a players’ coach and is the kind of fit the Bruins’ players were looking for when Cassidy was fired.

The Bruins have begun their season without arguably their two best players, Charlie McAvoy and Brad Marchand and Grzelcyk missed the first four games as well. But the Bruins have won three of those four games with a newfound, balanced offense that has scored 21 goals. What Bruins’ fans might also notice is a difference in the coach. Cassidy’s honest style was refreshing to some fans and media but harder on the players. Montgomery has been more upbeat in talking with the press.

A couple of examples of this were in postgame comments. After a season-opening win in Washington, Montgomery made this observation after a David Pastrnak shot was blocked, leading to a 3-on-1 for the Capitals, which resulted in a goal. “If I can get 88 in the middle of the ice, 20 feet from the goalie,” mused Jim Montgomery, “I’m going to take that every time,” said Montgomery. The coach basically admitted, “that’s hockey.” That is something you wouldn’t hear from Bruce Cassidy.

Montgomery has already made some tough decisions by benching veteran winger Craig Smith and changing lines frequently, but he has done it while keeping the positivity. However, Montgomery rejected the “players’ coach” label back in July by saying, “I do think, and I know a couple of players remarked this to me, that they thought because I wanted to get to know them as people, that I wanted to be this super friendly players’ coach,” he added. “And I think then they saw how demanding I was in practice, and with details in the game, and they maybe thought, well, who is this guy? Like, which one is he?”

For now, Montgomery is pushing some of the right buttons and building relationships while still holding players accountable. The Bruins are a veteran team with several players with postseason experience, which helps. Time will tell how the team will react after a losing streak and how the coach will respond, for that matter. But it is clear that Jim Montgomery and Bruce Cassidy are very different coaches, and that won’t change any time soon.

Season 4. Episode 13. This Is Not the Sway Bruins Benders Podcast

The Bruins continue to get cooked by good teams. John Tortorella’s thoughts on Boston’s diving team, Matt Poitras 5 game goal streak. Time for call up? Jeremy Swayman is bad. Why?DraftKings Sportsbook – Boston’s hometown Sportsbook is LIVE right here in Massachusetts! Bet local on all your favorite sports from the comfort of your own home with DraftKings. To celebrate, ALL new customers will receive up to TWO HUNDRED FIFTY DOLLARS in BONUS bets when you sign up for DraftKings Sportsbook using code ITR! You can now bet local on money lines, spreads, props, and more with one of America’s top-rated Sportsbooks – DraftKings Sportsbook!  Download the DraftKings Sportsbook app and sign up with code ITR to get up to TWO HUNDRED FIFTY DOLLARS in BONUS bets to use now that mobile sports betting is live in Massachusetts. That’s code ITR only at DraftKings Sportsbook. If you or a loved one is experiencing problems with gambling, call 800 327-5050 or visit helplineMA.org to speak with a trained specialist, free and confidentially, twenty four seven. Must be 21+. Physically present in MA. Eligibility restrictions apply. Subject to regulatory licensing requirementsEligibility and deposit restrictions apply. Opt in required. Bonus issued as free bets. Terms at draftkings.com/MA.
  1. Season 4. Episode 13. This Is Not the Sway
  2. Season 4. Episode 12. Going Streaking!
  3. Season 4. Episode 11. Have the Bruins Turned a Corner?
  4. Season 4. Episode 10. Monty Out. Sacco In.
  5. Season 4. Episode 9. Pasta Been Hurt

Discover more from Inside The Rink

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

Leave a Reply

Washington Capitals lose

Washington Capitals Falter on the Road: What Went Wrong?

Dallas Stars Coming off a ten-game road win streak and a nine-game point streak, the Washington Capitals were hot and fired up to take on the Dallas Stars on Monday at American Airlines Center. The Dallas Stars are notoriously successful at home, boasting a 13-3-0 home record so far this season and not allowing an […]

Read More
Jake DeBrusk and Elias Pettersson at practice for the Vancouver Canucks

NHL Game Preview: Vancouver Canucks at Utah Hockey Club with Line Projections 12/18/2024

Vancouver Canucks (16-9-5, 37 pts) at Utah Hockey Club (14-11-5, 33 pts)Venue: Delta CenterDate: Wednesday, December 18Time: 7:00 pm PT TV: ESPN+ / UTAH16 Radio:Vancouver Canucks – Sportsnet 650 AMUtah Hockey Club – The KSL Sports Zone 1280 AM / 97.5 FM DraftKings Sportsbook Betting Lines:Vancouver Canucks +1.5 -250Utah Hockey Club -1.5 ML +205O/U 5.5 […]

Read More
Ryan Hartman wearing a green Minnesota Wild jersey on the ice

NHL Game Preview: Florida Panthers at Minnesota Wild with Line Combinations 12/18/2024

Florida Panthers (19-8-3, 41 pts) at Minnesota Wild (20-6-4, 44 pts)Venue: Xcel Energy CenterDate: Wednesday, December 18Time: 9:30 ET / 8:30 pm CT TV: TNT / TruT / MAX / FDSNRadio:Florida Panthers – AM 560 Sports WQAM / 1230 WBZT / WCTH-FM 100.3Minnesota Wild- KFAN 100.3 FM DraftKings Sportsbook Betting Lines:Florida Panthers -1.5 ML +185Minnesota […]

Read More