One of the biggest NHL franchises, the Boston Bruins, is at a breaking point. With the season unraveling the way it did, the organization is now looking to hire the right steward to guide the ship. Before the dust has a chance to settle from the disappointing 2024-25 season, there are already rumors circulating on who could end up holding the title next year. Will a familiar name make the journey back to Boston, or will a new exciting chapter of Boston history start unfolding?

While waiting for the Bruins’ front office to make a move, the list of candidates is diminishing. Jay Woodcroft, Mitch Love, and Marco Sturm are now emerging names that are front-runners, and the pressure couldn’t be greater on a franchise that is trying to recover in a big way. Kevin Weekes was the first to break the news on X ( formerly Twitter), adding further fuel to the Bruins’ fanbase and the growing anticipation surrounding the team’s next bench boss.

The Boston Bruins have reportedly cast a wide net, but it is Woodcroft, Love, and Sturm who are the ones making the news as the most favored to stand behind the bench. Boston has been through a turbulent season, including the dismissing of Jim Montgomery and interim coaching by Joe Sacco. It is ready to reboot. The interviews for their next coach are to conclude within the week and represent a turning point for the organization.

Jay Woodcroft would come to the Bruins with a wealth of NHL experience from coaching the Edmonton Oilers, where he led them to a Western Conference Final, along with his time as a video coach for the Red Wings and as assistant coach of the San Jose Sharks. With two AHL Coach of the Year awards to his name, Mitch Love is the new star on the coaching horizon, and his work with young players has been gaining him a solid reputation. According to the Athletic’s Fluto Shinzawa, both Love and Sturm have been called in for in-person meetings after successful Zoom meetings.

Marco Sturm comes as a former Bruin and brings a unique aspect to the coaching staff with his combined NHL experience and international knowledge, from his stint as Germany’s national team head coach. “A guy who’s ambitious, a guy who understands players, a guy who has respect. People respect Sturm. He’s got a good reputation,” said NHL insider Elliotte Friedman on his 32 Thoughts podcast.

This trio embodies the Boston Bruins’ desire for immediate results and future development. Woodcroft’s experience in the NHL makes him a steady influence, and Love’s development-oriented philosophy could inject new life into a roster that lacked consistency. For Sturm, a homecoming of sorts to Boston, a sentimental aspect is added to a decision that will define the future of the team.

The Boston Bruins aren’t alone—the NHL coaching carousel heats up

The Boston Bruins’ high-profile coaching search isn’t happening in a vacuum. Across the NHL, a flurry of coaching changes is reshaping the league’s landscape, with several franchises making bold moves to reset their identities. The Bruins, Seattle Kraken, and Pittsburgh Penguins all remain without a permanent bench boss as the offseason accelerates, while teams like the Flyers, Blackhawks, Ducks, and Rangers have already pulled the trigger on new hires.

Rick Tocchet landed in Philadelphia after leaving Vancouver, while the Rangers made a splash by bringing in Mike Sullivan, ending his long tenure in Pittsburgh. Joel Quenneville’s return with the Ducks, despite his controversial past, stirred headlines. The Penguins, meanwhile, are eyeing DJ Smith and Mitch Love as potential replacements, signaling a pivot to fresh leadership for a veteran core featuring Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin.

This wave of changes underscores a broader trend: NHL teams are increasingly willing to take risks, blending proven NHL experience with up-and-coming names. The Bruins’ own shortlist mirrors this league-wide push for coaches who can adapt quickly and build cohesive locker rooms.

As the Boston Bruins weigh up their options, the outcome won’t just shape their own future—it’s part of a larger coaching shuffle that could redefine how teams approach development, style of play, and locker room culture heading into the 2025–26 season.