The Boston Bruins are currently on the hunt for their next head coach and have been connected to multiple names. One of them is former Bruin Marco Sturm, and now there's been a new update on that front.
On the most recent episode of Sportsnet's 32 Thoughts: The Podcast, NHL insider Elliotte Friedman shared that Sturm has a "real chance" to become the Bruins' next head coach.
"I think Sturm has a real chance in Boston," Friedman said. "So, again, I think he may have options, especially depending on what Boston decides to do... Boston has interviewed Sturm, and I think they like Sturm... I think Sturm has a chance there. We'll see. I wouldn't say that's a done deal by any stretch, but I think he's got a chance. We'll see."
However, the Bruins are not the only team interested in Sturm, as Friedman also noted that the Vancouver Canucks interviewed Sturm and were impressed by the former Bruin.
"They've [Canucks] also interviewed Marco Sturm," Friedman said. "I heard the Canucks were very happy with that interview."
Sturm generating interest is not surprising, as he has been building on his coaching experience for quite some time now. The former Bruin is currently the head coach of the Ontario Reign, which is the Los Angeles Kings' AHL affiliate. Before this, he was an assistant coach for the Kings for four years.
Sturm was a smart player during his playing career with the Bruins, so it would be fascinating to see what he could do behind their bench. This is especially so when noting that it would be his first NHL head coaching job if hired.
Nevertheless, it will be interesting to see if Sturm ends up being the Bruins' pick for the head coaching position. In 302 games over five seasons with the Bruins from 2005-06 to 2009-10, he recorded 106 goals, 193 points, and a plus-24 rating.
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.
