Bruins reportedly moving on from one of their assistant coaches

Jay Leach primarily handled Boston’s defensive responsibilities and penalty kill during his second tenure with the Bruins. The team is reportedly moving on from him by not renewing his contract after his deal expired. Leach rejoined Boston in June 2024 as an assistant coach under Jim Montgomery and remained on Marco Sturm’s staff through the 2025-26 campaign. He previously coached the Providence Bruins for five seasons and later worked as an assistant with the Seattle Kraken. Despite being viewed as a rising coaching talent, Boston’s defensive structure struggled during his time. In 2024-25, Boston ranked 26th in goals allowed per game, and in 2025-26 expected goals against per 60 minutes remained among the worst in the league, with goaltending masking some issues.

"The Boston Bruins are reportedly making a switch on Marco Sturm's coaching staff. According to David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period, the Bruins are moving on from assistant coach Jay Leach, with Boston choosing not to renew Leach's contract this offseason now that his current deal is up."

"Leach rejoined Boston in June 2024 as an assistant coach for Jim Montgomery before remaining on Sturm's staff during the 2025-26 campaign. Leach previously served as head coach of the Providence Bruins for five seasons from 2017-21 before making the jump to the NHL as an assistant coach for the Seattle Kraken."

"He was viewed as a rising star in the coaching ranks during both his time with Providence and later in Seattle, with the former NHL D-man tasked with running Boston's defense during his latest stint in Boston from 2024-26. He also took a greater role in running the club's penalty kill in 2025-26."

"During a miserable 2024-25 campaign, the Bruins ranked 26th in the NHL in goals allowed per game at 3.30. But even though Swayman bounced back in 2025-26, the underlying numbers of Boston's defense were still unsightly this past year. When it came to expected goals against per 60 minutes of play last season, only the Islanders had a worse showing than the Bruins, who were tied for second-to-last in the NHL with the Maple Leafs at 3.57."

Read at Boston.com