The Boston Bruins are currently searching for their next head coach. One of their top choices, Rick Tocchet, recently came off the board after being hired by the Philadelphia Flyers. While this is the case, the Bruins have also been browsing the market for other potential bench bosses.
A new name is now being connected to the Bruins. During a recent episode of Daily Faceoff's Morning Cuppa Hockey podcast, NHL insider Frank Seravalli shared that he believes former Edmonton Oilers head coach Jay Woodcroft is a "leading candidate" for the Bruins' vacant job.
"Here's the wrinkle that I'll throw into the narrative about Jay Woodcroft potentially linking back up with Ken Holland. I think [Woodcroft's] a leading candidate in Boston as well," Seravalli said. "I think things have gone well with him there, so I would say that you have to keep an eye on that as well."
Woodcroft is one of the top remaining coaches looking for their next NHL gig. The 48-year-old last coached at the NHL level with the Oilers during the 2023-24 season. He was let go by the Pacific Division club after they had a disastrous 3-9-1 start to the campaign.
While Woodcroft's time with the Oilers ended on a rough note, he undoubtedly had success in Edmonton. During the 2022-23 season, he led the Oilers to an impressive 50-23-9 record. Furthermore, after becoming the Oilers' head coach following Dave Tippett's firing in the middle of the 2021-22 season, Woodcroft led Edmonton to a 26-9-3 record.
Nevertheless, this will certainly be something to watch as the Bruins continue their coaching search. Given his resume, Woodcroft would have the potential to be a good hire for the Bruins, but time will tell if he ends up being their guy.
Boston Bruins Miss Out On Top Coach Target
Rick Tocchet will officially not become the next head coach of the Boston Bruins. The Philadelphia Flyers have announced that they have hired Tocchet to be their head coach.
The Bruins had been heavily connected to Tocchet since he announced that he would not return to the Vancouver Canucks. Furthermore, the Bruins were named among the finalists for Tocchet's services by TSN's Darren Dreger on May 13, along with the Flyers and the Seattle Kraken. Now, Tocchet has picked his destination, and it is not Boston.
Tocchet would have been a nice coach for the Bruins to bring in, especially when looking at his resume. The 2024 Jack Adams Award winner has a 286-265-87 record over nine seasons as an NHL head coach split between the Tampa Bay Lightning, Arizona Coyotes, and Canucks. He also won two Stanley Cups as an assistant coach with the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Now with Tocchet being off the board, the Bruins will explore their other options. Former Bruins forward Marco Sturm is one candidate they continue to be connected to.
