The Boston Bruins just closed the book on a season that felt anything but typical—and with it, Joe Sacco’s brief time as interim head coach could also be coming to an end.
Sacco stepped into the role after the surprising early-season dismissal of Jim Montgomery, but his future behind the bench is now up in the air as Boston takes a hard look at what’s next.
I’m grateful for the opportunity I had here. Being from this area, it’s special to have the opportunity to coach here. I’m proud of the guys. They never quit right to the end.
That was Sacco’s message following the Bruins’ final game of the year—words that sounded a lot like goodbye.
This past season brought a dramatic shift in direction. After years of pushing for the Cup and buying at the deadline, general manager Don Sweeney flipped the narrative entirely.
The Bruins became sellers.
Longtime captain Brad Marchand and veteran forward Charlie Coyle were both dealt away in a bold attempt to reset a team that had grown stale and injury-riddled.
What followed was a rough stretch run.
Boston spent most of the year clinging to playoff hopes, but the roster turnover and injuries—especially the losses of Charlie McAvoy and Hampus Lindholm—proved too much. The team unraveled, finishing outside the playoff picture.
Sacco, thrust into a difficult position, was never given the full-time title. And while he earned respect inside the locker room and had familiarity with the team, the results just didn’t follow.
The Bruins ended the year far from their usual selves, looking like a team in limbo, not a contender. Sacco may not be the root cause of that slide, but he didn’t do enough to clearly earn the job moving forward either.
Still, he’s not out of the running just yet. His local ties and NHL experience could help keep him in the mix, especially if Boston values continuity.
For now, the front office remains quiet. There’s been no firm direction laid out, no promises made. And that quiet exit interview from Sacco? It might have been his final words as a member of the Bruins coaching staff.
As the 2025 offseason begins, the Bruins are in search of answers—and perhaps more importantly, identity.
Now the fanbase is left with one pressing question: Should Joe Sacco get the job full-time?
Bruins after dark 