Bruins coaching search explodes with 15 interviews as Sweeney hunts for franchise-changing hire

Nearly 15 candidates interviewed as Bruins seek right voice for next chapter 

Don Sweeney isn’t rushing the decision. Neither is Cam Neely.

As the Bruins try to bounce back from a season that fell short of expectations, the front office is doing its homework — and then some.

On the latest episode of SportsNet’s “32 Thoughts”, NHL insider Elliotte Friedman revealed that Boston has spoken to roughly 15 different coaching candidates.

“I’ve heard they’ve interviewed about 15 guys,”

Friedman said.

When pressed for names, the response Friedman got from one source was direct:

“Who haven’t they interviewed?”

The takeaway?

This isn’t a casual search. It’s a full-scale vetting process aimed at finding a leader who can steady the ship — and potentially reshape the locker room.

From familiar faces to outside voices, the list is stacked

Among those believed to be in the running:

Marco Sturm, Jay Leach, Jeff Halpern, Jeff Blashill, Mitch Love, and Joe Sacco.

Some names, like Leach and Sacco, come as no surprise — both have been embedded in the Bruins’ coaching ecosystem.

Others bring new energy and a fresh lens. Sturm, still remembered in Boston for his 2010 Winter Classic heroics, has coached with the Kings since 2018.

Halpern played a key role behind the bench during Tampa Bay’s championship runs.

Blashill, meanwhile, led the Red Wings for seven seasons before moving on in 2022. And Love, currently a Capitals assistant, is reportedly also in the mix for the Penguins’ job.

Sweeney says candidates excited by Bruins opportunity

After the draft lottery earlier this month, Don Sweeney told reporters that interest in the Bruins job has been strong — and genuine.

“This is an exciting opportunity for coaches to be interviewing for this position, and that’s the indication that they would be very excited about maybe being the head coach of the Boston Bruins.

That’s the first and foremost thing that’s come across, happy to be part of the selection of being interviewed, and more fortunate they are.”

he said.

Coaches already studying Boston’s roster and health outlook

It’s not just surface-level interest, either.

According to Sweeney, the candidates are already diving into roster details, health reports, and potential return timelines for key players.

“I think they’re starting to gather information on the roster and the players that we have in place,”

he noted.

“And, first question people ask in terms of how healthy we’re going to be and the return to that full health so that players, that they expect impact (from) will be back to do what they do.”

The message is clear:

the Bruins are aiming to turn the page, and they want a coach who’s already thinking a step ahead.

This coaching hire isn’t just about next season. It’s about setting the tone for what comes after.

Whether it’s retooling the roster, managing young talent, or reigniting the team’s identity, the new coach will carry heavy expectations from day one.

What Boston’s front office is doing right now — interviewing extensively, weighing different coaching styles, and prioritizing culture fit — shows a franchise that knows it’s at a fork in the road.

In a league where timing is everything, the Bruins aren’t in a rush.

They’re building something sustainable.

And the next man behind the bench could be the start of that shift.