The Boston Bruins have officially announced Jim Montgomery as their new head coach.

Montgomery was most recently a St. Louis Blues assistant coach, but he was also the head coach of the Dallas Stars during the 2018-19 season and part of the 2019-20 season.

Montgomery was not let go from the Stars for the team's performance. Instead, he was dismissed for an off-ice issue that he has since received treatment for. Provided Montgomery has put the matter behind him, the Bruins may have found an excellent hire. Montgomery's coaching style seems more positive and player-friendly than that of previous coach Bruce Cassidy. That could benefit a player like Jake DeBrusk, who had reportedly asked for a trade during the season.

Fantasy Take: Bruce Cassidy Fired as Boston Coach

Whether it be coaching style or roster construction, Montgomery's team in Dallas was strong defensively. That should also help the goalies Linus Ullmark and Jeremy Swayman. In St. Louis, Montgomery was also able to help guide the Blues to be stronger offensively, as they finished third in the league in total goals for (3.77 GF/GP) and fourth in five-on-five goals (199 GF). Overall, this hire doesn't seem to hurt the Bruins in any one particular area.

Montgomery will face an immediate challenge right off the bat, though. Brad Marchand, Charlie McAvoy, and Matt Grzelcyk are all expected to be out of the lineup to start the season due to offseason surgeries. Although reports suggest that Patrice Bergeron will be returning to the Bruins, there hasn't been a formal announcement. All of this means that the Bruins could take a step back regardless of who the coach is. Montgomery seems to be patient enough to guide the Bruins during what might turn out to be a transition period.

–

Players this helps:

DeBrusk

Goalies

Other scorers

–

Players this hurts:

No one in particular

–

Give your take on the hiring in this thread on the Forum.