Former Ducks head coach Greg Cronin would enthusiastically pick up the phone if considered for the Bruins’ head coaching opening, he told the Boston Globe’s Kevin Paul Dupont.
“Hey, I’m a coach, right?” Cronin told Dupont. “All these openings, I’ll throw my hat in and see what comes back. I mean, heck, I’d be doing handsprings and jumping over rainbows if I got the Bruins’ job. I’m a Boston guy, and for a Boston guy, that’s hitting the lottery times 10!”
Cronin was one of the finalists for Boston’s vacancy in the 2022 offseason when he was the head coach of the Avalanche’s AHL affiliate. General manager Don Sweeney ended up passing him over for eventual 2023 Jack Adams winner Jim Montgomery, whom the Bruins ended up firing in November. Boston finished the 2024-25 campaign with interim head coach Joe Sacco, who is still a candidate to take over the full-time role, Sweeney said last week.
After not landing the Bruins’ job, Cronin only needed to wait one more year to land his first NHL coaching gig. The Ducks signed him to a three-year deal in the 2023 offseason to replace Dallas Eakins, but fired him earlier this month with one year left on his contract. Cronin had a 67-82-15 (.424) record behind the Anaheim bench, although the Ducks’ finish this season was their best since the 2018-19 campaign.
While Cronin may have an interest in the vacancy, it is unlikely that Boston’s interest will be mutual. When discussing their next coaching hire, Sweeney emphasized an improved offense as their top priority for the offseason. Nothing Cronin did in Anaheim suggests he’ll fit that mold. During Cronin’s tenure, the Ducks’ 2.56 goals per game ranked 31st out of 33 teams (the Coyotes and Utah were counted separately), while their 27.2 shots per game ranked 28th. Their 14.9% success rate on the power play ranked 32nd.
Outside of Sacco, it remains unclear who Boston plans to interview as a full-time hire.
I never really understood why the Bruins let the below average GM panic fire the elite coach.
The Blues rise makes it look even worse. And the Elias Lindholm contract is the worst in hockey
Elias Pettersson would like a word.
no chance Cronin
Bruins management already looks pretty inefficient by getting rid of Jim Montgomery who’s led St. Louis to the playoffs, a team who didn’t look playoff bound prior to Montgomery’s arrival. Meanwhile, Boston is taking their summer vacation early.
Seriously, Boston’s management (looking at you Don Sweeney) should be on a boiling hot seat.
This guy would be great if we went back 30 years. He’s too hard for the kids these days. Ducks young players hated him.
I, too, would be interested in the Bruins head coaching job. And then there’s reality.
Keith Yandle says no.