How Jim Montgomery continues to hold Bruins’ top players accountable

Around league circles, Jim Montgomery is known as one of the league’s top players’ coaches.

As friendly as he is with his roster, the Montreal native can also provide some tough love when needed. He’s had to showcase that edge more frequently during Boston’s inconsistent start to the 2024-25 season, specifically with some of his top players.

Brad Marchand felt Montgomery’s wrath firsthand after committing a turnover in Utah during Boston’s 2-1 overtime loss on Oct. 19. In a rare instance of him directing such heat at one of his players, a visibly upset Montgomery provided a viral moment during his exchange with Marchand.

Ironically enough, a successful offside challenge overturned Utah’s tying marker on Marchand’s third-period gaffe. But Marchand didn’t let himself off the hook either.

The second-year Boston captain downplayed the tense moment from the visiting bench in Utah. In fact, the uber-competitive Marchand welcomed the fact that Montgomery had held him responsible for making such a mistake at a pivotal moment.

“I’m glad he said something about it. If he didn’t, we would have bigger issues,” Marchand told reporters upon defending Montgomery. “The fact that is something we’re talking about is disappointing, but that’s how things are today.”

“Brad’s big on that,” defenseman Charlie McAvoy said of Marchand. “He has sort of an old school mentality about accountability and players holding each other accountable.”

Accountably can make its way to the public sphere like it did with Marchand in Utah. It can also happen behind the scenes, inside the locker rooms, through film study and other feedback methods.

McAvoy probably heard his share of critiques from the coaching staff during Boston’s October swoon. He also admitted to not meeting his lofty standards during his eight years in Boston.

In an era of instant gratification and social media moments, there’s something to say about the Bruins’ approach to constructive criticism.

If their captain can take it, so too can other top players. And Montgomery’s performance judgments aren’t just reserved for Marchand.

Even in victory, Montgomery’s actions can speak volumes. Another example came when he benched his leading scorer, David Pastrnak, for the third period of Boston’s 2-0 triumph over Seattle on Sunday.

Montgomery wasn’t visibly upset at Pastrnak per se. Nor did he expand on why he benched Pastrnak during his postgame press conference.

“Coach’s decision,” Montgomery said. “That’s all I’m going to comment on it.”

While Pastrnak created his share of chances after firing seven shots on net in the win over the Kraken, he remained prone to turnovers and sloppy puck play. The Bruins nearly got burned with one of Pastrnak’s mishaps during a power play attempt late in the second period, ultimately resulting in his final shift of the night.

The upbeat Pastrnak could’ve wallowed on the bench. But the benching didn’t alter his attitude one bit.

“He wasn’t silent,” forward Charlie Coyle said of Pastrnak’s approach to sitting the final 20 minutes. “He was bringing energy. He was talking. He was into it. That’s the sign of a good teammate right there. And that’s why he’s one of our captains and one of our leaders.”

Montgomery’s predecessors, Claude Julien and Bruce Cassidy, also preached accountability. But none of the last three coaches would hesitate in letting leaders like Patrice Bergeron, Zdeno Chara, David Krejci and countless others command the room when needed.

That trend will continue, with Montgomery leaning on Marchand to address the players when needed. But he’s also had to become more vocal during the first two transitional years of the post-Bergeron and Krejci era.

Whether he’s called out Marchand, Pastrnak or put the team through wind sprints in a sluggish practice, Montgomery isn’t shy about sending a message. But no matter if he’s addressing a bonafide goal scorer like Pastrnak or a struggling bottom-six forward, the Bruins know the spoked B trumps the importance of the nameplate on the back of the sweater.

“We all play on the same team. There’s no special treatment for anyone. I think that’s how it should be, you know. And I think we all take responsibility,” Coyle said after scoring a highlight-reel power play marker on Sunday. “You ask anyone of us who have been in that position, who’ve gotten an earful or whatever, it’s probably for good reason. We’re all competitive. We all want to play. We all have to be responsible in our own way. And Monty holds us accountable, and that’s going to make us better, individually, but as a team as well. I don’t think guys would ever change that.”

Every team with championship ambitions will need their top players to perform at an elite level. It may result in Montgomery holding the feet to the proverbial fire with Marchand, McAvoy, Pastrnak, and Boston’s top performers.

Boston’s primary scoring options don’t expect anything less, which is why they’ll speak happily of Pastrnak’s eagerness to bounce back even if he’s not available to the media immediately after being benched.

“He handles that with a smile on his face, and I know the way that he prepares and the success that he wants to have and how much of a competitor he is,” McAvoy said of Pastrnak. “There’s no time to wallow around. And I’m looking forward to seeing him in Toronto [on Tuesday], and I think he’s going to have a great game.”