The Boston Bruins might be just a few coffee-fueled meetings away from locking in their next bench boss, and the names stirring up the hockey rumor mill? None other than Marco Sturm and Mitch Love. Yes, the buzz is getting real. According to Fluto Shinzawa from The Athletic, both these guys are sliding into those big-time in-person interviews this week with the Original Six squad. Which basically means Boston’s almost ready to make things official. Remember when they let Jim Montgomery go last November? Don Sweeney pulled that trigger, and now the franchise is reimagining its future behind the bench.

Marco Sturm was this close to coaching the Sharks last year before they handed it off to Warsofsky, while Love is also reportedly on the radar for the Penguins and Kraken. Jay Woodcroft, the ex-Oilers coach, is hanging around in the mix too, according to David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period. All eyes are on Boston now, but if the whispers are true and Marco Sturm ends up with the job, here is everything you need to know about him.

Things might be heating up in Boston, and Cam Robinson just dropped a spicy little nugget on X: “Hearing Marco Sturm is set to become the next Boston Bruins head coach”. If this really goes down, it’s gonna be wild, especially since Sturm’s never officially rocked the NHL head coach title before. But let’s not pretend the man’s new to the block; he’s got a solid Boston backstory. Bruins fans know him well as he suited up for five seasons in black and gold, racking up 106 goals and 193 points like it was his full-time job (well, it kinda was).

And after hanging up the skates, Sturm didn’t just chill; he went full coaching mode and made waves overseas. The man helped guide Team Germany to a silver medal at the 2018 Winter Olympics. And since then? He’s been holding it down on the West Coast with the Kings. Started out as an NHL assistant, then took the reins of the AHL’s Ontario Reign where he’s been grinding it out for three seasons. His squad’s gone 119-80-17 under his watch, and he’s helped raise future stars like Quinton Byfield and Brandt Clarke into full-blown threats on the ice.

The best part? Sturm’s already been marinated in that tight, no-nonsense defensive structure from coaching under guys like Todd McLellan and John Stevens. He’s got that system-first mindset, mixed with some Boston nostalgia, and a whole lot of coaching grind. If this move happens, it’s not just a new chapter for Sturm; it’s a potential Bruins plot twist that’s gonna keep the fans very tuned in.

Marco Sturm could be stepping into a firestorm

The 2024–25 regular season is officially in the rearview, and let’s just say the Boston Bruins have some serious soul-searching ahead. After a rollercoaster of a year packed with frustration, missed chances, and headscratching calls, the top brass finally stepped into the spotlight. CEO Charlie Jacobs, President Cam Neely, and GM Don Sweeney faced the music with mics in hand and tension in the air. First order of business? Clearing the fog around job security. Jacobs didn’t mince words; he’s still riding with his guys. “Cam and Don… have proven that they can take a franchise that has missed the playoffs and build one for sustained success.” And let’s just say he stood by his words.

On May 20, Neely announced that the Bruins will retain the services of Sweeney through the 2027-28 season thanks to a two-year contract extension—a decision that was slammed left, right, and center by fans. After all, the 33-39-10 season left much to be desired. There was also the almost impulsive dismissal of coach Jim Montgomery, who, by the way, went on to take the St. Louis Blues to the playoffs, while the Bruins under interim coach Joe Sacco finished the season at the bottom of the Atlantic Division. Add to that the trade of Brad Marchand to division rivals, and it’s not difficult to see why very few things went right for the Bruins this past season.

But not all will be bleak for Sturm. The Bruins are heading into summer with a full wallet and hungry eyes. “We have to probably address the wing positions,” said Sweeney, low-key hinting at a shopping spree. With a reported $25 million plus in cap space and names like Mitch Marner, Boeser, and Ehlers dangling like shiny toys, don’t be surprised if Boston pulls a blockbuster or two. And guess what? With Marco Sturm’s name suddenly buzzing louder and louder, maybe, just maybe, this stormy Bruins saga is setting up for a sunrise. If they play their cards right, next season could finally be the one that hits different.