We knew that Jim Montgomery had a positive first impression of his new team. The Bruins coach made that clear over the summer with his comments about “enlightening” discussions with Patrice Bergeron, an “impressive” conversation with Brad Marchand, and feeling “really lucky” about the situation he finds himself in.
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As it turns out, Montgomery has made a positive first impression on his players, too. Meeting with reporters after the first day of captains’ practices on Monday, Bergeron and Hampus Lindholm both talked about what they’ve seen and heard from Montgomery so far.
“He seems like a great guy,” Lindholm said of Montgomery. “It’s gonna be fun to work with him. Both him and I are new here, so it’s gonna be a fun journey here.”
Without mentioning or dissing former coach Bruce Cassidy, Bergeron said he welcomes a new set of eyes and new voice and believes Montgomery could be good for the team.
“It’s always good to have fresh ideas, if I can say it that way,” Bergeron said. “You look at it from too close sometimes, and you don’t think about things to change and work on. To get a different opinion and view on how the game should be played, I think it’s always interesting. I find it great and exciting to be able to work on things and find ways to be better both as a team, but also individually.”
Lindholm echoed that sentiment, saying he thinks “some fresh air” will be good and that he senses “excitement” around the team.
Lindholm is also excited about what Montgomery is changing on the ice. Montgomery has expressed a desire to get Boston’s defensemen more involved offensively, and it sounds like the D corps, including Lindholm, is ready to embrace that challenge.
“Every coach has their own way of playing, I feel like. I think from what I’ve heard and what I’ve talked to him about so far, I’m really excited,” Lindholm said. “I think it’s gonna fit the way I want to play, so I’m super excited.
“...Use your legs out there and find your opportunities to jump up there and create some time and space for the forwards to help them out. I think that’s the winning way of hockey nowadays, and I think we as the D are gonna have some responsibility to help with that.”
It’s not surprising that everything seems to be hunky-dory between Montgomery and his players early on, especially given Montgomery’s affable personality and communicative approach. The next step will obviously be to make sure these good vibes translate to good play on the ice. That process will begin in earnest next week when Montgomery joins his players on the ice for the start of training camp.
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