This past NHL season for the Boston Bruins in 2024-25 was a tough one, as they missed the playoffs for the first time since 2015-16. They ended up with a record of 33 wins, 39 losses, and 10 overtime losses (33-39-10), which placed them at the bottom of both the Atlantic Division and the Eastern Conference. After the collapse, Boston’s front office jumped into action during the offseason to tackle the franchise’s identity crisis, bringing Marco Sturm on board as head coach in June.

Sturm, who used to play for the Bruins and is a well-loved part of the team, was the head coach of the AHL’s Ontario Reign. He also led Team Germany to an unexpected silver medal at the 2018 Winter Olympics.

Bruins General Manager Don Sweeney had a few nice remarks to share about Sturm after the hiring, stating, “It was a pivotal moment for our franchise and to learn about reshaping our team. To go through the process of hiring a coach who was committed to reestablishing and renewing our identity. To hiring a coach that was committed to playing with structure. To have an understanding of player development. To value communication and culture within our locker room. To understanding the game has evolved offensively.”

It looks like they’re going for someone new yet familiar, someone who can really earn respect in the locker room and bring some fresh energy to the bench. What really made Sturm’s hiring stand out was how quickly he made his coaching philosophy clear.

In a conversation with Paul Bissonnette as seen on Spittin’ Chiclets’ X post, the Boston Bruins head coach shared, “I mean, I think I think I coach exactly the same way I play. I’m very honest. I am a hard-working guy. That’s why I show up. I show up early at the rink in the morning now as a coach because I want to be prepared, right? I want to set the tone every day for my guys and for my coaches. That’s who I am. I’m trying to show and also be direct, you know, with my guys and be honest and go from there.”

Sturm’s honesty, work ethic, and understanding of Boston’s tough hockey scene really show that this isn’t just another coaching hire—it’s a clear statement of intent. After a season filled with ups and downs, the Bruins are hoping that Sturm’s steady leadership can help them regain their credibility and turn Boston back into a serious contender for the Stanley Cup. Nevertheless, many questioned his long-term viability with the Bruins the minute he inked his contract.

Concerns regarding his Boston Bruins future

The Boston Bruins have experienced not just new hires but also quite a few firings. Concern over Marco Sturm’s employment status was a common sentiment when he inked a contract with the Original Six team. During an interview on 98.5 The Sports Hub, host Michael Felger raised an interesting question, asking, “But was job security a concern? I mean, Bruce Cassidy won at a high level, they let him go. [Jim] Montgomery won at a high level; they let him go. I mean, you ever think like well, I can win at a high level; they’re gonna let me go?”

However, Marco Sturm responded calmly, saying, “Yeah. No, you can’t, you know what? You can’t think that way, and again, that’s something I learned over the course, even when I was a player. Yeah, and again, the past is the past. I’m a different person than the other guys; I’m a different coach. You know, it’s a different time right now. So again, all what I do is looking forward.”

Sturm mentioned that worrying about job security can really hold a coach back from moving forward. He stated that he’s not the player he once was, and he’s certainly not the coach he used to be. With him at the helm, the Bruins are stepping into a new chapter, and he’s all about looking ahead instead of getting caught up in what’s already happened. With him keeping an eye on the Bruins, we’ll just have to wait and see if the franchise can reclaim its former glory.