Joe Sacco has stepped in as the interim head coach for the Bruins following the firing of Jim Montgomery. He inherits a team grappling with significant issues, including inconsistent goaltending and underperforming star players. Sacco faces the challenge of addressing the same problems that plagued Montgomery, as the team struggles to find its competitive edge in a difficult season.

Jim Montgomery was fired as head coach of the Bruins after the team started the 2024-25 season with an underwhelming 8-9-3 record, despite having a .715 regular season winning percentage during his tenure. His dismissal reflects the organization's impatience with performance, as they faced numerous challenges, including inconsistent goaltending and injuries to key players. Montgomery's successor, Joe Sacco, inherits a team grappling with these ongoing issues, indicating that the problems extend beyond coaching alone.

Jeremy Swayman has been seeking a maximum salary from the Bruins, a decision that reflects his understanding of the limited earning power of professional athletes. His holdout and absence from training camp could have significant implications for the team, especially given their mediocre start to the season. With the departure of Linus Ullmark, Swayman now carries the weight of being the primary goalie without a strong backup, which has added pressure on him. His performance has been subpar, contributing to the team's struggles, and he faces the challenge of stepping up amidst a roster dealing with injuries and other issues. The Bruins are looking for him to improve as they navigate a difficult season.

Nikita Zadorov's $30 million, six-year contract is not looking promising so far, as he has struggled with consistency, taking numerous penalties and failing to establish a reliable partnership with Charlie McAvoy. His performance has raised concerns about his fit within the team, adding to the Bruins' challenges this season.

David Pastrnak is struggling this season after dealing with an injury sustained during the world championships last spring, which limited his offseason training. Following a stellar 110-point season last year, he is currently on pace for only 70 points, contributing to the Bruins' ineffective power play. His reduced output, alongside Brad Marchand's struggles, is a significant factor in the team's overall lack of offensive production.