Breaking News: Don Sweeney Gives Key Announcement On Timeline For Bruins Coach. With his contract extension now official, Don Sweeney is expected to accelerate his efforts to find the next head coach of the Boston Bruins.
Earlier this week, the Bruins announced that Sweeney has signed a two-year extension, which keeps him at the helm of the franchise through at least the 2028 NHL season. With his own future secure, Sweeney can now turn his full attention to an already busy offseason, where one of his most critical tasks will be hiring a new head coach.
In a recent interview with the Boston Herald, Sweeney acknowledged that current assistant coaches Joe Sacco and Jay Leach are both being considered for the head coaching role. He also touched on how his newly extended contract helps bring clarity and stability to the organization during this search.
“It definitely helps create alignment in our discussions,” Sweeney told veteran Herald reporter Steve Conroy. “It removes some of the uncertainty from the process. Communication between the GM and the head coach is always essential, and I’m glad that piece is in place.”
Sweeney noted that while the timing of the coaching search might seem unusual, he’s made an effort to keep his personal contract negotiations separate from his professional responsibilities. Still, he admitted that resolving his own status allows the organization to move forward with greater confidence.
Although Sweeney declined to name any outside candidates, he told the Herald that the team isn’t waiting for other clubs still competing in the Stanley Cup Playoffs — such as Carolina, Florida, Edmonton, and Dallas — to become available. This likely removes several notable names from contention.
The Bruins have already been linked to several coaching candidates who have since committed elsewhere. Mike Sullivan, a former Boston coach, is now with the New York Rangers, and Rick Tocchet, Sweeney’s former teammate, confirmed to the Herald that he was in talks before ultimately choosing to return to Philadelphia as the Flyers’ new head coach.
As for a timeline, Sweeney didn’t give an exact date, but he confirmed the Bruins will have a new head coach in place “well before” the NHL Draft in late June, where Boston holds the No. 7 overall pick. Given the team’s early playoff exit and interim coaching situation, it would be surprising if the search dragged on much longer.
