Bruins reflect on Marco Sturm’s first year as coach

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Bruins reflect on Marco Sturm’s first year as coach

Lauren Campbell · MassLive

Mon, May 4, 2026 ·

3 min read

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BOSTON — Standing at his locker discussing the mixed emotions of a disappointing finish to an encouraging season, David Pastrnak was confident that the Bruins had the right coach to get the team back on track.

Marco Sturm’s first season as Bruins coach came with the challenge of beginning to implement a new identity in a locker room that was coming off a discombobulated 2024-25.

The results were a 100-point season and a trip back to the playoffs after missing out last year. A team mixed with seasoned veterans, rookies and newcomers began to build a foundation that’s a good start for the future.

“Step forward from last year,” Pastrnak said Sunday. “There was potential. Obviously, a lot of people doubted us. The coaching staff did a heck of a job. Our power play improved, our five-on-five was much better than last year. And whenever we had some injuries, other guys stepped up. So yeah, very good job.”

Prior to the start of the season, Bruins president Cam Neely admitted goals would be hard to come by but was confident the team would be a “tough out.” He believed in the players they had, despite not adding a bonafide scorer, and he believed in Sturm to be the person to get the Bruins to buy in.

“I think Marco really instilled right away was, we have a good team and we have to buy into what,” pending free agent Andrew Peeke said . “I believe in and what, as a staff, they believe in. And good things are going to come. And I think that it took some time, right? There’s ups and downs throughout the season, but, there were a few moments where you can see it clicking against some new opponents.

“And I think in the room, we’re like, ‘OK, we have something pretty good here,’” he continued. “So it was a great year in terms of building steps and continuing to work forward.”

Coming into a new team that always has high expectations from its players and fans can be a tall task. Especially an Original 6 franchise that was looking to rebound from a disastrous year. But someone like Sturm, even though he never held a head-coaching job at the NHL level, knows the pressure that comes with being part of the Bruins given he played for the team for five seasons.

For Jeremy Swayman , who had a bounce-back year under Sturn, he believes the turnaround shows how Sturm quickly adapted to his new role with ease.

“The fact that he’s a Boston Bruin through and through made it that much more special throughout the year,” the goalie said. “I thought he grew so well and adapted really well and it’s not an easy job to do. I think we could all take a step back and really appreciate what he brought to this team and the leadership that he brought and being calm in super high-stressful moments.

“I know that he’ll take the experiences from this year and parlay it into next year, and so we’re excited to continue what he’s brought,” Swayman continued.

Sturm knows what it takes to win in Boston and what the fans expect every night. He also knows that, while the Bruins returned to the playoffs in a year many expected them to miss out, making it to the first round before getting eliminated was not enough.

“Expectations will be higher,” Sturm said. “We’re not going to be (perceived as) a surprise team anymore.”

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