The Boston Bruins are finding their groove now after a shaky start to the season. It’s time for head coach Bruce Cassidy to start receiving more recognition as one of the top coaches this season.
Bruce Cassidy has been excellent as the Boston Bruins’ coach this season. The B’s are currently third in the Atlantic division with 41 points in 33 games. Boston owes their playoff positioning at this point in the season to their head coach.
The Bruins were anything but healthy at the beginning of the year. Cassidy almost had to play a new lineup every game throughout the first month. Yes, Boston struggled during this time, with only four wins in their first ten games, but Cassidy kept the B’s competitive.
Now that the Bruins are healthy, Cassidy has Boston in the playoffs if the season were to end today. The B’s are on pace for nearly 100 points. That mark would eclipse last season’s point total by five points and would be the first time Boston broke 100 since 2013-2014, when they had 117 points. Cassidy should get more credit for how he guided this team when you couldn’t tell if you were watching Boston or Providence.
Every year, as part of the NHL Awards, the National Hockey League Broadcasters Association votes on the league’s best head coach for that season. The winner receives the Jack Adams Award. Bruins’ Cassidy should be among the finalists if Boston continues their playoff push.
Also in the mix
Vegas Golden Knights head coach Gerard Gallant is the favorite for the Jack Adams at this point in the season. Gallant has led the expansion team Golden Knights to 46 points, which is tied for the best point total in the Western Conference. If Vegas keeps that up, no question Gallant is the odds-on favorite for the Jack Adams Award. However, Cassidy shouldn’t be overlooked when it’s time to vote.
Next: Bruins top priority for the future
The Boston Bruins are playing some great hockey, and yes it’s because they’re finally healthy. However, the reason the B’s are already back into playoff contention is Bruce Cassidy. Cassidy kept Boston in decent positioning in the NHL standings, without an NHL roster. It would only make sense for Cassidy to find himself among the Jack Adams Award finalists at the end of the season.