Cam Neely says Bruins’ coaching search, roster changes impact each other (2025)

BOSTON — Are the Bruins looking to fill their many open spots on their 2025-26 roster with players whose strengths will fit their coach?

Or will they hire a coach whose strengths fit the plan for how they hope to construct the roster?

That’s the chicken vs. egg dilemma the Bruins have in front of them as they head into an important offseason.

The coach they might hire if they hope/expect to sign more experienced players might be different than who they’d target if they’re counting on their younger players to take on larger roles.

The same uncertainty applies to a coach’s style and systems vs. players’ likelihood to thrive in them.

A year ago, the roster they created didn’t play well under Jim Montgomery and didn’t play well together. The coach was fired and the Bruins are missing the playoffs.

Bruins President Cam Neely said considerable thought will go into creating the right match.

“It’s always a balancing act, trying to mesh 22, 23 players. That’s going to continue this offseason. We look to see what’s available whether it’s trades or free agency,” Neely told MassLive on Tuesday. “It is a little different depending on your roster and what you feel your players may need behind the bench. We have to figure our where our roster is going to be and we are with that. Then there’s all kinds of decisions to be made.”

Neely said, in addition to interim coach Joe Sacco, who’ll be among the candidates they’ll consider, the Bruins have a good idea who else is likely to be available.

“We know what we have in our staff,” he said. “We kind of have an idea of what’s available, maybe not everybody right now. Then you evaluate what’s best for the club.”

Neely went out of his way to praise Sacco.

“Because he’s been here for so long, we really know who Joe is and what his demeanor is and what his approach is,” he said. “We have a really good idea what Joe brings. He works hard. The whole staff works really hard. They’ve had a tough situation to be in. They’ve all handled it really well.”

The Bruins are among three teams with definite openings. Like Sacco, the Blackhawks’ Anders Sorensen is an interim coach and the Flyers already fired John Tortorella.

If anyone from the list of Peter Laviolette, Rick Tocchet or Mike Sullivan was fired (Laviolette), not renewed (Tocchet) or otherwise let go (Sullivan), it would change the search landscape and presumably Boston’s candidate list.