The Boston Bruins’ playoff hopes are all but gone after suffering their eighth straight loss on Saturday, and team president Cam Neely has hinted at possible changes ahead. Under interim head coach Joe Sacco, the Bruins are on track to miss the postseason for the first time since 2016. The organization had already shaken things up at the trade deadline by sending franchise icon Brad Marchand to their division rival, the Florida Panthers.
Despite the struggles, Neely confirmed that Sacco remains in contention for the head coaching position, though no major announcements have been made. Speaking to The Boston Globe before Wednesday’s game, he revealed that discussions with general manager Don Sweeney will determine the team’s leadership moving forward. “Sacco will be in the mix,” Neely stated, also acknowledging the challenges the coaching staff has faced. “Don and I really appreciate the job they’re doing. It hasn’t been easy for them.”
What followed after the trade deadline has been nothing short of a disaster for Boston. Since parting ways with head coach Jim Montgomery in November and dealing Marchand, the Bruins have entered a freefall. Their playoff dreams have crumbled under a string of tough losses, including a brutal 6-2 defeat to Anaheim and a 2-1 loss to Detroit. As each game passes, their postseason hopes slip further away, making this one of the most difficult stretches the franchise has endured in recent years. “We’re usually playing meaningful games this time of year, getting ready for the playoffs… not the easiest situation for Joe to come in,” Neely admitted. “But he handled it very well.”
Despite the downward spiral, Neely insisted that a full-scale rebuild isn’t in the plans, though roster changes are expected. “I don’t think we need to tear everything down,” he said. “We moved some key players at the deadline, and now the goal is to replace those pieces and get back to where we want to be.”
Currently sitting eighth in the wild-card race with a 30-35-9 record and 69 points, the Bruins are eight points out of the postseason picture. Their next challenge comes Tuesday when they host the Eastern Conference-leading Washington Capitals (47-17-9, 103 points), a matchup that could further expose the team’s weaknesses—or reignite their fight.
Despite the team’s struggles, Neely made it clear that the Bruins are not planning a complete rebuild. However, he acknowledged that roster changes are expected in the offseason. “I don’t think we need to tear everything down,” Neely explained. “We moved some key players at the deadline, and now the goal is to replace those pieces and get back to where we want to be.”
The Bruins, currently sitting eighth in the wild-card race with a 30-35-9 record and 69 points, remain eight points outside of the postseason picture. Their next challenge comes on Tuesday when they host the Eastern Conference-leading Washington Capitals (47-17-9, 103 points), a matchup that could further highlight the gaps the Bruins need to address moving forward.
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