Boston Bruins Enter Rebuild Mode After Disastrous 2024–25 Season, Marco Sturm Emerges as Coaching Candidate
After the highs of the 2022–23 NHL season, the Boston Bruins faced a sharp decline in 2024–25. Under head coach Jim Montgomery, the team had once looked poised for sustained success. But early-season struggles saw the Bruins stumble to an 8-9-3 record in their first 20 games, leading to Montgomery’s dismissal in November. Associate coach Joe Sacco was named interim head coach, but the turnaround never came.
Despite efforts to steady the ship, the Bruins finished last in both the Atlantic Division and the Eastern Conference, marking their first playoff absence since 2016. It was a bitter fall for a franchise used to competing deep into spring.
Per @FriedgeHNIC, former #NHLBruins winger Marco Sturm is very much in the mix to become the next head coach of the Boston Bruins. https://t.co/jpEZqjTwmK
— Jimmy Murphy (@MurphysLaw74) May 14, 2025
Adding to the turmoil was the departure of veteran forward Brad Marchand, who was traded to the Florida Panthers in a significant roster shake-up. This move signaled that the Bruins were moving into a new era, one focused on retooling rather than rebuilding from scratch.
General Manager Don Sweeney acknowledged the team’s difficult season but expressed optimism for the future. “We didn’t burn it down,” he said. “We have a lot of guys… Now we have to do a better job of building around it and charting a course that says, ‘We’re back.’” Sweeney emphasized that some injured key players remain vital to the team’s long-term plans and that the organization is committed to remaining competitive while integrating new talent.
One of the most pressing tasks ahead is finding a permanent head coach. A surprising but popular name has emerged in the search: Marco Sturm. A former Bruins winger from 2005 to 2011, Sturm has built a solid coaching resume since retiring from playing. He’s currently the head coach of the Ontario Reign, the AHL affiliate of the Los Angeles Kings, and previously served as an assistant with the Kings and head coach of the German national team.
NHL insider Elliotte Friedman reported that Sturm is “very much in the mix” for the job, and his connection to the Bruins organization, combined with his international and developmental coaching experience, makes him an intriguing option. Boston appears to be seeking a leader who can relate to younger players while still commanding the respect of seasoned veterans—qualities Sturm may embody.
As the Bruins try to navigate their way back to playoff contention, their decisions in the coming months—particularly regarding coaching and roster structure—will be critical. The franchise isn’t starting from scratch, but with major changes already underway, Boston is clearly heading into a transformative period.