The Bruins entered the offseason not expecting to make any changes to their coaching staff.
But a coaching change in Seattle has allowed the Bruins to welcome an old friend back to the fold, with former Kraken assistant coach and former P-Bruins head coach Jay Leach added to Boston’s staff as an assistant coach, as confirmed by Bruins general manager Don Sweeney.
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – NOVEMBER 16: Assistant coach Jay Leach of the Seattle Kraken talks with the official in overtime against the New York Islanders at Climate Pledge Arena on November 16, 2023. (Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
In Seattle for the past three seasons, the 44-year-old Leach was in charge of the Kraken’s defense. That defense really became Seattle’s calling card following their inaugural season, too, as they limited shots and chances against, while countless players blossomed and took notable steps under Leach’s tutelage.
It was also enough for Leach to earn multiple head coaching interviews during his time in Seattle, including an interview with the Bruins before the club hired Jim Montgomery in 2022. Most recently, Leach was in the running for Seattle’s head coaching gig before the club opted to go with the veteran Bylsma instead.
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – NOVEMBER 17: Assistant coach Jay Leach and head coach Dave Hakstol of the Seattle Kraken look on during the third period at Climate Pledge Arena on November 17, 2021. (Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
Prior to his time in Seattle, Leach spent five seasons on the P-Bruins coaching staff, including four as the team’s head coach. Behind Providence’s bench, Leach compiled a 136-77-26 record, and was instrumental in development of defensemen and NHL regulars such as Connor Clifton and Jeremy Lauzon, and was the head coach for the Providence tenure of types like Trent Frederic and Jakub Lauko.
Bringing Leach and his defensive acumen back into the fold now comes at an interesting time for the Bruins, with Mason Lohrei expected to be a full-time member of the NHL roster, and with players such as Parker Wotherspoon and Andrew Peeke looking to truly cement themselves as go-to members of the Boston defense after solid showings for the Black and Gold last season.
“I’m thrilled to have Jay Leach join our coaching staff,” Montgomery said. “Jay has an impressive track record at both the AHL and NHL level, and his experience connecting with players will greatly benefit our team.”
Dec 11, 2021; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Boston Bruins assistant coach Joe Sacco on his bench against the Calgary Flames during the third period at Scotiabank Saddledome. (Sergei Belski/USA TODAY Sports)
Leach’s return to the organization will also come with a promotion for Joe Sacco, as the veteran B’s assistant will be the Black and Gold’s associate coach for the 2024-25 season. Sacco’s promotion comes after a season that saw him drop back to running the B’s defense and power play following the offseason departure of John Gruden.
“I’d like to congratulate Joe Sacco on his promotion to associate coach,” Montgomery said. “Joe has been an integral part of this staff due to his experience and the passion he brings to our group every day.”
Sacco, who has been in the running for head coaching jobs elsewhere and with the B’s organization since Claude Julien’s days as a head coach, will now be the second-leading voice behind Montgomery on Boston’s staff.
Leach’s addition and Sacco’s promotion, as well as the retention of assistant coach Chris Kelly, will come with one other change to the coaching staff, with John McLean transitioning to a development role as the club’s skating and skills coach after serving as Boston’s ‘eye in the sky’ assistant coach a season ago.
“John is shifting back to a skating and skill development position where he will remain integrated with our current staff as well as broaden his scope to work with our entire player development system,” Sweeney said. “John was instrumental working with our medical staff on players returning from injury, and his experience as an assistant coach this season will provide great insights to young players throughout our organization to understand the individual work that is required to develop as a Bruin.”
SUNRISE, FLORIDA – MAY 14: Jim Montgomery of the Bruins is seen on the bench during the third period against the Panthers in Game 5 of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Amerant Bank Arena on May 14, 2024. (Joel Auerbach/Getty Images)
One interesting part of all of this is that Montgomery is entering the final year of his current contract as the B’s head coach, has yet to hammer out an extension with the club, and the Bruins now have two guys behind him who could conceivably be his replacements should things go south in 2024-25. Not only that, but they’re both guys that the Bruins interviewed before going with Montgomery back in 2022, and the Bruins even got a taste of Sacco as a head coach during Bruce Cassidy’s COVID absence during the 2021-22 season.
This will become a legitimate storyline, too, should the Bruins and Montgomery fail to come to terms on an extension ahead of the 2024-25 season, as the B’s tend to handle these things early.
