After what has felt like an epic saga, it seems the Boston Bruins are finally closing in on their next head coach. General manager Don Sweeney has reportedly trimmed the list down to a couple of candidates, with interim coach Joe Sacco informed that he is no longer in the running, a decision that might not come as a shock to many fans.
In the latest episode of his popular podcast, NHL insider Elliotte Friedman shared the news about Sacco’s status, marking one of the few concrete updates to emerge from a lengthy selection process. Meanwhile, Pierre LeBrun from The Athletic added that an official announcement regarding the new head coach is expected early this week. The names generating buzz include Marco Sturm, Jay Woodcroft, and Mitch Love, all of whom could bring varying styles and philosophies to the Bruins’ bench.
In another surprising tidbit, the Selke Trophy voting results have made headlines, particularly with Bruins forward Elias Lindholm snagging an unexpected vote. Chris Johnston revealed the full voting breakdown, and Lindholm’s name raised eyebrows not just for being included, but for the context surrounding his season in Boston.
After a challenging year on the ice, which included a fair amount of criticism directed at his performance, it’s perplexing that he would secure even one vote for the prestigious award recognizing the NHL’s top defensive forward. Though he battled through some injuries and showed signs of improvement as the season wound to a close, the vote is quite a head-scratcher, to say the least.
On the trade rumor front, reports have surfaced that the Bruins recently fielded inquiries about standout goaltender Jeremy Swayman. According to David Pagnotta from The Fourth Period, the Edmonton Oilers reached out to discuss a potential trade for the young netminder. While Sweeney opted to hang onto Swayman, this isn’t likely to be the final chapter in the rumor mill surrounding the former University of Maine star.
As the Oilers continue their journey to the Stanley Cup Finals, boasting a solid performance from goaltender Stuart Skinner, one can’t help but think they might have missed the boat on acquiring one of Boston’s goalies, especially after Linus Ullmark was traded to the Ottawa Senators last summer. Each of these narratives adds to the ever-evolving story of the Bruins, combining coaching questions with the intrigue of potential player moves as the off-season unfolds.
