In the 2024-25 NHL season, three major teams — the Boston Bruins, Philadelphia Flyers, and Chicago Blackhawks — had something big in common. Apart from having disappointing seasons, they all fired their head coaches and brought in new ones as temporary replacements, known as interim coaches.
Now, with the season over, the big question is: Will any of these interim coaches become full-time head coaches? Let’s look at how each one did, what worked for them, and what didn’t.
Brad Shaw – Philadelphia Flyers
What Went Well
Brad Shaw took over the Flyers and led them to a decent 5-3-1 record in nine games. What really stood out was how the young players performed under him. Tyson Foerster scored nine goals, Matvei Michkov had six goals and 12 points, and Bobby Brink added eight points – all in just nine games.
Players seemed to enjoy playing under Shaw. They looked more confident and played more freely than they did under the strict coaching style of John Tortorella, who was fired earlier. Shaw also knows the team well, having worked with them for three years.
What Didn’t
Even with some success, Shaw may face trouble. He’s closely linked to the previous coach, Tortorella, which might hurt his chances. Also, the team may prefer a younger coach who can grow with their developing players. Plus, during Shaw’s time on the coaching staff, the Flyers have missed the playoffs every year. This season, they ended with just 76 points – 11 fewer than the previous year.
Joe Sacco – Boston Bruins
What Went Well
Joe Sacco was praised by the Bruins’ management. General Manager Don Sweeney said Sacco did a good job handling big changes in the team, including several player trades. Sacco has been with the Bruins for 11 years, so he knows the system inside out.
Team President Cam Neely also mentioned Sacco will be considered for the full-time job, which could be a positive sign.
What Didn’t
Even with experience, Sacco couldn’t take the Bruins to the playoffs. After replacing Jim Montgomery in November, the Bruins only managed a 25-30-7 record. Also, while Sacco is a familiar face in Boston, the team might look for fresh ideas from outside the organization.
Anders Sorensen – Chicago Blackhawks
What Went Well
Anders Sorensen had a tough task with a struggling Blackhawks team. Still, he made some progress. One big highlight was helping young star Connor Bedard get back on track. Sorensen is known for his teaching skills – something very important for a team full of young players.
Players seemed to enjoy his positive attitude. His AHL teams (minor league affiliates) have also reached the playoffs in the past.
What Didn’t
Even with a few bright spots, the Blackhawks had one of the worst records in the league – 17-30-9 under Sorensen. They also allowed a lot of goals (3.56 per game) and didn’t score enough either (2.73 per game). Though this may say more about the poor team roster than Sorensen’s coaching, it still doesn’t look great on paper.
Early in his run, the Blackhawks lost five games in a row and played very poorly in defence, which kept them stuck at the bottom of their division.
All three interim coaches had their challenges and small wins. Brad Shaw gave hope with strong performances from young players, Joe Sacco had solid backing from management, and Anders Sorensen showed potential in developing talent. Still, none of them had a dramatic turnaround, and their futures depend on what direction the teams want to take next season.
If the teams want to rebuild with young players, Sorensen or Shaw might be better fits. If experience and familiarity are important, Sacco could get the nod. Either way, the next few weeks will be key in deciding if these three interim coaches get the full-time jobs or go back to being assistants – or leave the team altogether.
